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 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more heavily oppressed her, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, In Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:1–2 (NKJV) |
1 Drink this first; act swiftly, territory of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, and the rest who are on the coast and across the Jordan, Galilee of the nations! 2 People going in darkness, see a great light! Those inhabiting a territory, a shadow of death, light will shine on you! Isaiah 9:1–2 (LES2) |
How do I even compare the two versions of the opening verse? In this case, it is hard for me to follow the thought process in the LXX. The MT seems to have a better flow. Could this be because the Paleo-Hebrew was difficult? The end of verse 1 and verse 2 are quoted in the New Testament; confirming that this passage points to Jesus. 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” Matthew 4:12–16 (NKJV) |
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3 You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian. 5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, And garments rolled in blood, Will be used for burning and fuel of fire. Isaiah 9:3–5 (NKJV) |
3 The greatest part of the people that you led down in your cheer will also be cheerful before you, like those cheerful during the harvest and just like those who divide up the spoils, 4 because the yoke laid on them and the rod on their neck has been taken away. For he shattered the rod of those demanding payment as in the day in the time of Midian, 5 because they will return as an exchange every robe and garment collected by trickery, and they will be willing, if they became burnt. Isaiah 9:3–5 (LES2) |
The first part of verse 3 has nothing much in common either. Because of the many divergences, I assume the Paleo-Hebrew was difficult to translate. There does not seem to be any reason for the MT to deliberately obfuscate. |
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6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6–7 (NKJV) |
6 Because a child was born to us; a son was given to us whose leadership came upon his shoulder; and his name is called “Messenger (Greek – angel, messenger) of the Great Council (Greek – counsel, will, purpose),” for I will bring peace upon the rulers and health to him. 7 His leadership is great, and there is no boundary to his peace on the throne of David and his kingdom, to establish and take hold of it by justice and by righteousness, from now to eternity. The eagerness of the Lord Sabaoth will do these things. Isaiah 9:6–7 (LES2) |
This passage points to Christ. It was quoted in Luke 1:31-32 and 2:11-12. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10–12 (NKJV) 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30–33 (NKJV) With that in mind, we will compare the MT and LXX texts. In verse 6, the MT (left) makes extraordinary claims about this person, which are somewhat different from what the LXX (right) says. MT – Wonderful Counselor vs. LXX – Messenger of the Great Council or Purpose (of God presumably) MT – Mighty God vs LXX, Followers of Christ recognize the divinity of Christ, but the title is not in the LXX. MT – Everlasting Father vs This is not mentioned in LXX and would not apply to Jesus who clearly referred to his Father as a different person. MT – Prince of Peace vs LXX – I will bring peace upon the rulers and health to him In verse 7 the MT and LXX basically agree. |
Summary: This passage points to Jesus, as is confirmed by its being quoted or referenced in the New Testament. Not surprisingly, therefore, we see some substantial differences between the MT and LXX. The quotes in Matthew and Luke do not follow with either one verbatim. Some of the names given in the MT to this one identified as Jesus are not found in the LXX. Perhaps these titles were added to throw people off track regarding Jesus. It is clear that Jesus is not the Everlasting Father, but that title is not even mentioned in the LXX. Such wild divergences from the LXX found in the MT often are seen in passages that clearly point to Jesus. Rarely does the MT point more clearly to Jesus than the LXX, but it does happen, such as in Isaiah 53. I have written three articles on this chapter. You can find them by clicking here and scrolling down.
