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 |
|
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” Matthew 2:6 (NKJV) |
2 And you, O Bethlehem, house of Ephrathah, you are very small to be in the thousands of Judah, from which for me one will come out to be for a ruler of Israel, and his goings out are from the beginning, from the days of eternity.” Micah 5:2 (LES2) |
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2 (NKJV) |
Matthew only quotes a part of this verse, which I underlined. Matthew’s quote does not agree with the exact wording of either the LXX or MT. The word for “ruler” in Matthew is different from what the LXX uses. Therefore, this quote is a hybrid inspired by the Holy Spirit that cannot support the contention that Matthew relied on the LXX. The verse in Micah sheds light on the Messiah, however, indicating that he is an eternal being, just as the New Testament claims for Jesus. (John 1:1-2, 8:58) |
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