Knowledge of Theophilus of the LXX

The following paragraph is being posted today to determine how well I can follow the instructions of Jim West, Biblical Theology, on how to use Greek fonts in my blog. You can see the results below. Thank you Jim West. http://biblical-studies.blogspot.com/2005/01/sabbatical-year-appointment.html


Luke relies upon the knowledge of Theophilus of the LXX.[i] Roth has provided several examples demonstrating that the first audience would have to be familiar with the LXX. Acts 7:51 “uncircumcised in hearts and ears” is from the LXX: Lev. 26:41; Jer. 6:10; Ezek. 44:4,7.[ii] His second example is based upon a comparison of Josephus and Luke.

"For an illustration of Septuagint language evident in Lukan vocabulary, consider batoV (batouV) . To read this as a unit of liquid (Lk. 16:6) and not as a fish or a bush requires LXX competence (2 Esdr. 7:22). Since our interest in constructing an authorial audience, it is worth noting how Luke and Josephus handle the word differently. Josephus also mention this word as a unit of liquid, but in contrast to Luke, Josephus then explains it in terms of Roman measure (Ant. 8:57). Luke assumes his audience will understand batoV without explanation. Josephus’s handing of the word does not imply that he expects his audience to be familiar with the LXX. Luke’s handling does. (citations omitted)."[iii]

There is a second reason. Not only am I interested in the writings of Luke as contained in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, I am also interested in the possible relationship if any of Josephus and Luke. That is to say, is one writer dependent upon the other? As part of my research I am looking for more examples like the one provided by Roth.

[i] S. John Roth, The Blind, the Lame and the Poor: Character Types in Luke-Acts, (Sheffield, 1997), 84.
[ii] Roth, 86.
[iii] Roth, 87.

[correction made to the citation to Josephus]