When we are programmed as children what to believe, later, as adults, we will have a difficult time accepting anything different. In the case of our Old Testament scriptures, we in the West have been fed the Masoretic Text (MT) since Jerome chose it to use it as the basis for his Latin Vulgate Bible Old Testament. When confronted with the historical facts that the Septuagint (LXX) is a much older translation than the MT (285 BC compared to hundreds of years after Christ), was used and quoted by the New Testament writers, and was translated directly from the paleo-Hebrew before any animosity toward Christ could influence it, it is quite difficult for many to accept it as a more trustworthy version. Sadly for us, the MT has robbed us of several Christological texts and changed the general wording regularly, thus changing the meaning over and over again, either in highly significant ways or small ways. Either is bad. Doing a side by side comparison of the LXX and the MT makes this obvious. I am doing a series of articles to illustrate this as a I work my way through the Old Testament.
Here is an another example. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which I like the best. It is available in print or through Logos Bible Software.
| Septuagint | MT | Significance |
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1 The one dwelling in the support of the Most High, in the protection of the God of the heavens, that one will find lodging. 2 That one will say to God, “You are my helper and my refuge, my God, I will hope upon him,” Psalm 90:1–2 (LES2) |
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1–2 (NKJV) |
The main difference in this passage is that the LXX emphasizes that God is our helper. The MT highlights that he is our fortress or protection. Certainly, the Lord is both, but the idea of God’s being our helper is an emphasis of the NT. The Holy Spirit is specifically identified that way. (John 14:26) |
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3 because he will rescue from the trap of hunters and from a terrifying word. 4 With his shoulders he will overshadow you, and under his wings you will have hope; with a shield his truth will surround you. Psalm 90:3–4 (LES2) |
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:3–4 (NKJV) |
The LXX in verse 3 says that God will deliver us from a “terrifying word,” but the MT replaces that with “perilous pestilence.” The Hebrew can mean engulfing ruin. The LXX says God’s “shoulders” or “back” will overshadow us, but the MT extends the wings metaphor to translate it as “feathers.” The result of this protection will be our having “hope” according to the LXX, but the MT says God will be our refuge instead. The LXX says God’s truth will surround us. The MT gives the idea that the protection is only in front, as from a shield. |
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5 That one will not be afraid from fear by night, from the arrow flying by day, 6 from the deed carried out in darkness, from mishap and demon at midday. 7 A thousand will fall from your side, and ten thousand from your right side. But they will not come near to you. Psalm 90:5–7 (LES2) |
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Psalm 91:5–7 (NKJV) |
The LXX says that we will be protected from the “deed” done in darkness; whereas, the MT uses the world “pestilence.” Next the LXX says that protection will include what might happen to us by “mishap” or by demonic attack. The MT rather innocuously gives us “the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” The MT is more “poetic,” but the LXX sounds more authentic and specific. |
Conclusion
If you want to know more about why Christians should prefer the Septuagint to the MT, click on this link.The Eastern Orthodox Church had the wisdom to retain the LXX for its Old Testament scriptures. As for me, I now rely on the LXX. It was Paul’s standard for Old Covenant truth and is quoted in the New Testament. That makes it good enough for me.
