New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 4:17

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.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

17 (as it is written, “I have made [tithemi] you a father [pater] of many [polus] nations [ethnos]”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; Romans 4:17 (NKJV) 

5 And your name will no longer be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, because I have made [tithemi] you a father [pater] of many [polus] nations [ethnos]. Genesis 17:5 (LES2)

4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. Genesis 17:4 (NKJV)

This is an exact match to the LXX. Because the MT changed the verb tense to future, Paul’s statement, that God calls those things which be not as though they already existed, would make no sense. Verb tenses matter, as does every word of scripture.

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petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 35 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and five amazing great grandchildren. He has written several books, including two that are available on Amazon - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles.

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