The interaction of the Hebrew Bible, the Ancient Greek Bible (Septuagint) and the Greek New Testament in Early Christian Egypt: textual transmission.

This thesis explores how the Bible was copied, transmitted, and understood in Early Christian Egypt. It focuses on the relationship among the Hebrew Bible, its Greek translation, the Septuagint, and the Greek New Testament. Rather than treating these texts as fixed and unchanging, the study shows that they developed through a long process of copying, translation, and interpretation. Drawing on archaeological evidence, such as papyrus manuscripts, alongside the writings of early Christian thinkers like Clement of Alexandria and Origen, the thesis examines how biblical texts were read and used within Egyptian Christian communities. The dry climate of Egypt preserved some of the earliest biblical manuscripts, allowing modern scholars to observe the Bible in its earliest, less standardized form. The study argues that Egypt was not only a place where biblical texts survived but also one where they were actively shaped. Scribes, teachers, and theologians influenced how scripture was copied and interpreted, leading to differences between manuscripts. By combining material evidence with intellectual history, this thesis shows how the Bible in Early Christian Egypt was a living collection of texts that gradually moved toward the more stable forms known today.