Here is a direct side-by-side comparison of the Masoretic Text with the LXX. I have concluded that the LXX is much to be preferred over the Masoretic Text, a position from which the Eastern Orthodox Church never deviated. Perhaps, if you take the time to read my comparisons and other articles, you will arrive at the same conclusion.
The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.
If you want to know more, click on the following links.
- Why Christians Should Prefer the Septuagint over the Masoretic Text.
- Some Insights Gained through Comparing the Masoretic Text to the Septuagint
- More side by side comparisons of the Masoretic Text (MT) to the Septuagint (LXX).
| Masoretic Text | Septuagint | Significance |
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1 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.) Numbers 12:1–3 (NKJV) |
1 And Miriam and Aaron complained against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom Moses had married, that he had married a Cushite woman. 2 And they said, “Has the Lord spoken to Moses alone? Has he not also spoken to us?” And the Lord heard. 3 Now the man, Moses, was exceedingly meek, more than any humans existing on the earth. Numbers 12:1–3 (LES2) |
Literally, the Greek in the LXX says “spoke against.” The LXX translators interpreted that to mean complained in English. Cush and Ethiopia are the same country. The MT asked if the Lord had only spoken “through” Moses, but the LXX asks if he has only spoken to Moses. The Hebrew in the MT could also be translated as “with.” The MT says Moses was more humble than anyone else on the “face of the ground.” The LXX says “on the earth.” Close enough? |
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4 Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!” So the three came out. 5 Then the LORD came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. 6 Then He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. 7 Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. 8 I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?” Numbers 12:4–8 (NKJV) |
4 And the Lord said to Moses and Miriam and Aaron, “Go forth, you yourselves, the three of you, to the tent of testimony.” And so they went out, the three of them, to the tent of testimony. 5 And the Lord descended in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent of testimony, and Aaron and Miriam were called, and both of them went forth. 6 And he said to them, “Hear my words: If there may be a prophet from among you to the Lord, I will be made known to him in a vision, and while he is sleeping, I will speak to him. 7 Not so with my servant Moses; in my whole household he is trustworthy. 8 Mouth to mouth I will speak to him, in appearance and not through riddles. And he has beheld the glory of the Lord. And why are you not fearful of speaking against my servant, Moses?” Numbers 12:4–8 (LES2) |
The MT consistently calls the tent of testimony a tabernacle of meeting. In the passage following is where it gets interesting and demonstrates why I prefer the LXX. Once again we see the consistent use of up and down in the Bible. God dwells above the firmament in heaven. He comes down to the earth to meet with us. (Notwithstanding the few occasions he takes people up to meet with him in heaven!) The three-tiered heaven – earth – Hades / Sheol complex is mentioned from Genesis to Revelation, requiring us to adhere to biblical cosmology if we are to properly understand and believe the scriptures. Apparently the cloud reached from heaven to earth and provided a passage way for God, which is reminiscent of the ladder about which Jacob dreamed. (Genesis 28:12 and John 1:31) This must have been a pre-incarnate theophany of our Lord Jesus. I think it is also noteworthy that the MT says that Moses beheld the “form” of the Lord, but the LXX says he saw his “glory.” This reminds us of John 1:14, when John says that Jesus became flesh and the apostles beheld his glory. They beheld his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration and after the resurrection. Apparently Moses was given a sneak preview as well. |
