In Jesus’ time, there were various textual traditions of the Hebrew Bible. The Masoretic Text (MT) as we know it today did not exist yet, and the Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in the 20th century) have shown that there were many variations in the Hebrew texts used by different Jewish communities.
The Septuagint itself is based on a Hebrew text that was older than the later Masoretic Text, and in some instances, it preserves readings that are closer to earlier Hebrew versions or even have interpretative additions.
Why are you so determined, so desperate to have a flawless, perfect Bible yet Jesus says nothing about those variations? Take for instance, one of the Hebrew Masoretic Text (MT) and Greek Septuagint (LXX), they contain several variations, Jesus remained mute. But why was Jesus so quiet? Has he never asked for a perfect Bible?
These examples below demonstrate a variety of differences between the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Septuagint (LXX), ranging from differences in vocabulary, word order, syntax, numbers, and omissions/additions of verses, to more theological interpretations and translation choices. These variants can affect interpretations and theological understandings, illustrating the complexity and richness of biblical textual traditions.
Below, I'll provide an outline of the major types of variants that occur between the MT and LXX, though it is impossible to list every single instance. Some of the most notable types of textual variants include:
Genesis 1:1
MT: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
LXX: "In the beginning, God made the heaven and the earth."
The key difference here is the use of "created" (בָּרָא, bara) in the MT versus "made" (ἐποίησεν, epoiēsen) in the LXX, and the singular "heaven" (οὐρανὸν, ouranon) in the LXX versus the plural "heavens" (שָׁמַיִם, shamayim) in the MT.
Genesis 2:4
MT: "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created."
LXX: "This is the book of the generation of heaven and earth."
In this case, the LXX uses "book" (βίβλος), while the MT uses "account" (תּוֹלְדוֹת, toledoth).
Genesis 4:8
MT: "Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."
LXX: "And Cain said to Abel his brother, 'Let us go out into the field.' And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him."
1 Kings 4:26
MT: "Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots."
LXX: "Solomon had 4,000 stalls of horses for his chariots."
Here, the MT has "40,000," while the LXX has "4,000." Scholars debate whether one is a scribal error or reflects different traditions.
1 Samuel 10:27
MT: "But some worthless men said, 'How can this man save us?'"
LXX: This verse is entirely absent from the LXX.
2 Samuel 24:24-25
MT: Describes a direct transaction between King David and Araunah the Jebusite.
LXX: This account is slightly more elaborate and includes additional details not found in the MT.
Isaiah 7:14
MT: "Behold, the young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
LXX: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
In the LXX, the word παρθένος (parthenos), which means "virgin," is used, while the MT uses עַלְמָה (almah), which is often translated as "young woman" but can also mean "virgin."
Jeremiah 8:8-9
MT: The passage reads "How can you say, 'We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us'?"
LXX: This passage is much longer and includes additional clarifications.
Jeremiah 10:6-7
MT: These verses are present.
LXX: These verses are absent, highlighting a significant difference in the text length.
Jeremiah 51:13
MT: "O you who dwell by many waters, abundant in treasures, your end has come, the measure of your covetousness."
LXX: A different phrasing and some additional material is included in the LXX, making this a longer and more elaborated passage.
Psalm 22:16
MT: "For dogs have surrounded me; a company of evildoers have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet."
LXX: "For many dogs have encompassed me; the assembly of the wicked have beset me; they pierced my hands and my feet."
In the LXX, there is the use of "many dogs" (πολλὰ κύνα) where the MT uses "dogs" (כְּלָבִים), and the interpretation of "pierced" remains similar, but the nuances can differ.
Daniel 3:24-25
MT: The Hebrew version of Daniel is notably shorter in some sections.
LXX: Includes additional verses, such as the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Holy Children.
Deuteronomy 32:43
MT: "Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods."
LXX: "Rejoice, ye heavens, with him, and let all the angels of God worship him; rejoice ye Gentiles, with his people, and let all the sons of God strengthen themselves in him; for he will avenge the blood of his sons, and will render vengeance, and recompense justice to his enemies, and will reward them that hate him; and the Lord shall purge the land of his people."
Exodus 1:5
MT: "All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt."
LXX: "And all the souls from Jacob were seventy-five."
Exodus 12:40
MT: "The time that the Israelites lived in Egypt was 430 years."
LXX: "The sojourning of the children of Israel, and of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years."
In this instance, the LXX omits "time" (זְמַן) and includes additional wording ("and of their fathers").
Isaiah 61:1
MT: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
LXX: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind."
Micah 5:2
MT: "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel."
LXX: "And you, Bethlehem, house of Ephrathah, are you little to be among the thousands of Judah? From you shall come forth for me one to be ruler over Israel."
The LXX makes some slight differences in phrasing that impact the interpretation, especially in regard to the significance of Bethlehem in Jewish tradition.
Conclusion
Jesus prioritized the transformative power of God's word and its ability to guide, teach, and save. By not engaging in debates over textual perfection, He demonstrated that the Scriptures' core message transcends linguistic and textual variations. His approach encourages us to seek understanding, unity, and faithful living based on the timeless truths of God's word.
Reflecting on this, we can see how Jesus' example calls us to focus on living out the principles of our faith, inspired by the Scriptures, in our daily lives.
Stop pleading for a flawless perfect Bible, please. Do you still have dreams? Wake up!
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