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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11 Thus you shall say to them: “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.” 12 He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion. 13 When He utters His voice, There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: “And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries.” Jeremiah 10:11–13 (NKJV) |
11 This is what you will say to them, “Let gods who have not made the sky and the land be destroyed from the land and from beneath this sky. 12 It is the Lord who made the earth with his power, who set up the inhabited world with his wisdom. And he has stretched out the sky with his insight, 13 and a quantity of water was in the sky, and he brought up clouds from the end of the earth. He turned lightning into rain and brought light out from his treasuries. Jeremiah 10:11–13 (LES2) |
Here Jeremiah compares the true God, the Creator, who is our Lord Jesus [John 1:3], to molten images who have no life or power. |
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14 Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge; Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image; For his molded image is falsehood, And there is no breath in them. 15 They are futile, a work of errors; In the time of their punishment they shall perish. Jeremiah 10:14–15 (NKJV) |
14 Every person was foolish, without knowledge; every goldsmith was put to shame with respect to his carved images, because he cast false things; there is no breath in them. 15 They are worthless, works of mockery. At the time of their visitation, they will be utterly destroyed. Jeremiah 10:14–15 (LES2) |
The MT says that idolators are dull-hearted, but the LXX calls them literally “morons.” The false “gods” will not deliver in the time of judgment, but will be utterly destroyed along with those who trust in them. |
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16 The Portion of Jacob is not like them, For He is the Maker of all things, And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts is His name. Jeremiah 10:16 (NKJV) |
16 Such is not the portion of Jacob, because he who formed all things, he is his inheritance; the Lord is his name.” Jeremiah 10:16 (LES2) |
Here is where it gets interesting or infuriating, depending how you view it. I have already established that I am convinced the MT was produced to counter the claims of Christianity. It deliberately hides or omits clear references to Christ that the church used to prove Jesus is the Messiah. By altering these texts, the MT seeks to eliminate the church from using them and to cast doubt on the trustworthiness of the LXX. It also attempts to elevate Israel, usurping what belongs to Christ. In this passage, it is apparent that the translators of the MT altered the text to make it look like what really points to Jesus points to Israel, a favorite tactic. The MT says that “Israel is the tribe of his inheritance.” The LXX, however, says that “he is his inheritance,” referring to the Creator of all things, who we already established is Jesus [John 1:3]. The New Testament specifically calls Jesus the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2) and names the church as Christ’s inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). Whatever the church possesses, it has because of being one with Christ, similar to how a bride comes into possession of all her husband owns. In this sense, Christ is both heir and the inheritance. Christ will turn over everything to his Heavenly Father (1 Corinthians 15:28), who by that act will inherit the church because it is in his Son. As I see it, this will make Jesus part of the Father’s inheritance. We who believe have nothing that is outside of Christ. (Ephesians 1:3) Next, the MT calls this one the “Lord of hosts,” but the LXX simply calls him “Lord,” a title firmly associated with Jesus. |
