In the West, Christians have used the Masoretic Text (MT) since Jerome chose to use it as the basis for his Latin Vulgate Bible Old Testament. The Eastern Orthodox Church, to their credit, never deviated from the Septuagint (LXX). The LXX is a much older translation than the MT (285 BC compared to hundreds of years after Christ), was the predominant source used and quoted by the New Testament writers, and was translated from Hebrew before any animosity toward Christ could influence it. Notwithstanding, because of the power of tradition, it is quite difficult for many to think of it as a more trustworthy version. Sadly for us Christians and the world in general, the MT has obscured or omitted many texts that clearly refer to Christ.
Jesus taught us that all scripture points to him (John 5:39). Therefore, any translation that gets in the way of our seeing Christ is suspicious.
Doing a side by side comparison of the LXX and the MT makes this obfuscation obvious. I have observed that most of the significant changes that pertain to Christ take place in prophetic passages, rather than historical ones. Here is an example. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which I prefer. It is available in print or digitally through Logos Bible Software.
| Masoretic Text | Septuagint | Significance |
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1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. Exodus 19:1–2 (NKJV) |
1 And in the third month after the exit of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, on this day they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. 2 They departed from Rephidim, and they came into the wilderness of Sinai, and Israel encamped there, right before the mountain. Exodus 19:1–2 (LES2) |
The Greek word for “exit” is exodus. These two passages are the same. |
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3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Exodus 19:3–4 (NKJV) |
3 Now Moses went up the mountain of God, and God summoned him from the heavens, saying, “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and report to the sons of Israel. 4 You yourselves have seen the things that I have done to the Egyptians, and I have brought you up as if on wings of eagles, and I have led you to myself. Exodus 19:3–4 (LES2) |
Moses went up the mountain, according to the LXX, from where he heard God summon him from heaven. This alteration of the LXX by the MT I find to be rather mystifying and infuriating. Since God dwells in heaven, it is much more believable that heaven was the location from which he called Moses. There is also quite a difference between going up the mountain and going up to God. |
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5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:5–6 (NKJV) |
5 And now if you listen with hearing to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my special people of all the nations, for all the earth is mine. 6 And you yourselves will be a royal priesthood to me and a holy nation. These are the words you shall say to the sons of Israel.” Exodus 19:5–6 (LES2) |
In keeping with the MT’s propensity to enlarge upon Israel’s uniquely special relationship with God, it used the word “treasure” instead of “people,” which the LXX uses. The MT says that Israel is special above “all people,” but the LXX says above “all the nations.” Perhaps that is no big deal to many, but to someone who wants to know exactly what the Holy Spirit said, it matters. The wording in verse 6 in the LXX is quoted in the New Testament. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a special people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) Peter used “special people” instead of “special treasure.” The MT makes kingdom a noun modified by priests; whereas, the LXX makes priesthood the noun modified by royal, which is exactly how it is worded in the New Testament, confirming that Peter used the LXX for his Bible. |
Conclusion
If you want to know more about why Christians should prefer the Septuagint to the MT, click on this link.The Eastern Orthodox Church had the wisdom to retain the LXX for its Old Testament scriptures. As for me, I now rely on the LXX. It was Paul’s standard for Old Covenant truth and is quoted in the New Testament. That makes it good enough for me.
