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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28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28–29 (NKJV) |
28 “And it will be, after these things, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons (huios) and your daughters (thugater) will prophesy, and your elders will dream dreams, and your youths will see visions, 29 and upon my male slaves and upon the female slaves, in those days I will pour out my spirit.” Joel 2:28–29 (LES2) |
Essentially these two passages are the same in the MT and LXX. Peter quotes from here in Acts. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass (eimi – be) in the last (eschatos) days (hemeras), says God, That I will pour (ekcheo) out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons (huios) and your daughters (thugater) shall prophesy, Your young men (neaniskos) shall see visions (horasis), Your old men (presbuteros) shall dream dreams (enupnion). 18 And on My menservants (doulos) and on My maidservants (doule) I will pour (ekcheo) out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. Acts 2:16–18 (NKJV) Comparing Peter’s quote to the LXX, we can see that he changed “after these things” to “in the last days.” If we believe in the inspiration of Scripture, we understand that the Holy Spirit was teaching that we are in the last days, which began after Pentecost. Other than that, the Greek tracks along with the LXX. |
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30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. 32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. Joel (2:30–32 (NKJV) |
30 “And I will give (didomi) signs (teras) in the heavens and upon the earth, blood and fire and vapor (atmis) of smoke. 31 The sun will change (metastrepho) into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and distinguished (epiphanes) day of the Lord comes. 32 And it will be that everyone, whoever invokes (epikaleo) the name of the Lord, will be saved (sozo), because in the mountain of Zion and in Jerusalem there will be one who is being rescued, as the Lord has said, and those proclaiming good news, whom the Lord has summoned.” Joel 2:30–32 (LES2) |
The MT says columns or pillars of smoke, but the LXX says vapor of smoke. Peter’s quote in Acts follows the LXX. 19 I will show (didomi) wonders (teras) in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor (atmis) of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into (metastrepho) darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome (epiphanes) day of the LORD. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls (epikaleo) on the name of the LORD Shall be saved (sozo).’ Acts 2:19–21 (NKJV) This is more evidence that the apostles used the LXX. |
