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 Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD; Zechariah 6:11–12 (NKJV) |
11 And you will take silver and gold, and you will make crowns and place them upon the head of the great priest Joshua, the son of Jehozadak. 12 And you will say to him, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Behold, a man; Anatole is his name, and from beneath him he will rise up and build the house of the Lord. Zechariah 6:11–12 (LES2) |
In the Greek LXX, the word for Joshua is the same word as Jesus. The early church would have seen this as a clear reference to the him. That is why the MT altered the next verse to hide the truth. The MT identifies Joshua, son of Jehozadak, as the Branch who will branch out and rebuild the physical temple of the Lord. The LXX says that this Joshua, which is the same word as Jesus in Greek, will be called “Anatole,” which literally means “rising.” Using it as a proper name might better be translated as “Risen One.” This Anatole will rise up from beneath, meaning from the grave, to build the house (not temple) of the Lord, meaning the church, which is made out of what Peter called “living stones.” (1 Peter 2:5) It is easy to see why the Masoretes wanted to hide this obvious pointer to the risen Lord Jesus. |
