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).
| MT | LXX | Significance |
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1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.” 3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Genesis 19:1–3 (NASB95) |
1 The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot was seated beside the gate of Sodom. When he saw them, Lot rose up to meet them and bowed with his face to the earth, 2 and he said, “Look, lords, turn aside to the house of your servant and lodge there and wash your feet, and when you rise early, you can depart to your journey.” They said, “No, rather we will lodge in the street.” 3 And he pressured them, and they turned aside to him and entered into his house. And he made them a drink and baked them unleavened loaves, and they ate before they fell asleep. Genesis 19:1–3 (LES2) |
The passage generally agrees, but there are some apparent differences and one omission. In verse two, the MT’s “square” and the LXX’s “street” mean essentially “open place.” The MT’s “feast” and the LXX’s “drink” can both mean feast. The omission is that the MT leaves out that the angels went to sleep after their meal. |
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4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; 5 and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” 6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. 8 “Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.” Genesis 19:4–8 (NASB95) |
4 And the men of the city, the Sodomites, surrounded the house, young and old, the whole people together, 5 and they kept calling Lot and saying to him, “Where are the men who came in with you tonight? Bring them out to us, so we can be with them.” 6 Lot came out to them, and he closed the door after him. 7 He said to them, “No way, brothers, don’t act wickedly. 8 I have two daughters who have not known a man. I will bring them out to you, and you may use them as you want. Only don’t do anything unfair to these men, because they entered under the roof of my beams.” Genesis 19:4–8 (LES2) |
This passage essentially agrees. What a sad commentary regarding Lot’s attitude toward his daughters. |
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9 But they said, “Stand aside.” Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. Genesis 19:9–11 (NASB95) |
9 They said, “Step aside from there. You came here to dwell; did you come also to pass judgment? Now, then, we will hurt you more than them.” And they kept pressuring the man, Lot, very much, and they approached to break through the door. 10 But the men, stretched out their hands and pulled Lot to themselves, back into the house, and they closed the door of the house. 11 They struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness, both great and small, and they were paralyzed as they were looking for the door. Genesis 19:9–11 (LES2) |
The Greek word translated “paralyzed” can also mean to weaken. This passage basically agrees. |
Summary: Once again we see that the MT and LXX agree when theological issues regarding Israel and Christ are not at stake.
