Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. 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).
NT Quote |
LXX |
MT |
Comment |
|
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin [parthenos] shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:18–23 (NKJV) |
14 Because of this, the Lord himself will give you a sign: Look, the virgin [parthenos] will conceive in the womb and will bear a son, and you will call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (LES2) |
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin [almah] shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) |
The LXX uses the specific word for virgin in Greek, which is parthenos, just as Matthew does. The MT uses a less specific word, almah, which means young woman. The NKJV translators knew that the proper translation is “virgin,” according to the New Testament; so, they relied upon the LXX and departed from the MT in this case. Once we see evidence of tampering, should we not abandon the MT altogether? |
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