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 The wilderness and the desert will be glad, And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus 2 It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. 3 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. 4 Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.” Isaiah 35:1–4 (NASB95) |
1 Rejoice, thirsty deserted land! Let a deserted land be cheerful, and let it blossom like a lily. 2 And the desolate places of the Jordan will blossom and rejoice. The glory of Lebanon was given to it, and the honor of Carmel. And my people will see the glory of the Lord and the exaltation of God. 3 Be strong, hands at ease and feeble knees! 4 Give comfort, fainthearted in mind! Be strong; do not be frightened! Look, our God is repaying judgment, and he will repay! He himself will come and save us! Isaiah 35:1–4 (LES2) |
As is common, the verb tenses differ between the MT and LXX. The LXX uses an imperative in verse 1, making it our responsibility to rejoice. I will not comment on other relatively minor differences. The important idea is that God himself will come to save “you” in the MT and “us” in the LXX. The seemingly minor variance perhaps has a much deeper meaning. If we accept that the LXX is the more reliable version and the MT is a Jewish corruption designed to lead people away from Christ, then this difference makes perfect sense. The unbelieving Jews acknowledged that salvation through Christ is only for those who believe – “you.” The LXX opens it to all, both Jew and Gentile, who believe the gospel message – “us.” |
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5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. 7 The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and rushes. Isaiah 35:5–7 (NASB95) |
5 Then blind people’s eyes will be opened, and dumb people’s ears will hear. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the stammerer’s tongue will be clear, because water has broken forth in the desert, and a ravine in a thirsting land. 7 And the waterless place will turn into marshes, and there will be a spring of water in the thirsty land; there birds’ cheerfulness will be a dwelling of reed and marshes. Isaiah 35:5–7 (LES2) |
This passage makes it perfectly clear that God’s coming was in the person of his Son, Jesus the Messiah. These verses describe his ministry on earth which testified to his anointing. He opened blind eyes and healed deaf people and the lame. He opened a wellspring of life via the outpouring of his Spirit. (John 7:37-39) |
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8 A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it. 9 No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it; These will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:8–10 (NASB95) |
8 A pure path will be there, and it will be called a holy path, and certainly no impure person will pass by there, nor will there be an impure path there, but those who are scattered abroad will walk on it; they will certainly not be misguided. 9 And there will be no lion there, and certainly none of the evil beasts will come up to it or be found there, but rather a people will walk in it that are redeemed 10 and gathered because of the Lord; and they will return and come into Zion with cheerfulness, and eternal cheerfulness will be over their head. There will be praise and rejoicing, and cheerfulness will overtake them; pangs and sorrow and groaning have fled away! Isaiah 35:8–10 (LES2) |
Jesus said that he is the Way. (John 14:6) The early Christian movement was called the Way (Acts 9:2). Jesus called people to take the narrow way, which leads to life. (Matthew 7:14) Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will experience everlasting joy and life. We are promised that he will never misguide us. (John 16:13) We will be protected from the devil. (Luke 10:18-19) |
Summary: This passage points to Christ. The LXX calls it a “holy way,” which accurately describes the discipleship journey.
