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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4 Thus says the LORD |
4 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel said against the exile I exiled from Jerusalem: Jeremiah 36:4 (LES2) |
This is a letter Jeremiah wrote to the captives in Babylon. Notice that Chapter 29 in the MT corresponds to Chapter 36 in the LXX. In verse 4, the MT adds some words and is less concise than the LXX. |
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5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, |
5 ‘Build houses and settle down, and plant orchards and eat their fruit, 6 and take wives and bear children, sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands. And multiply and do not diminish, 7 and seek the peace of the land into which I exiled you, and pray to the Lord concerning them, because your peace is with their peace.’ 8 Because this is what the Lord said: ‘Do not let the false prophets who are among you persuade you, and do not let your seers persuade you, and do not listen to your dreams that you are dreaming, 9 for they are prophesying to you wrongly in my name, and I did not send them.’ Jeremiah 36:5–9 (LES2) |
The MT adds text in verse six, which I struck through. In verse 7, the MT says to seek the peace of the “city”, but the LXX says “the land”. In verse 8, the MT uses the word “diviners,” which the Greek LXX calls “seers.” Other than that the passage is in agreement. |
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10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, |
10 Because this is what the Lord said: ‘When the seventy years are about to be completed for Babylon, I will visit you and establish my words upon you, to return your people to this place. 11 And I will make a plan of peace and not calamity over you, to give these things to you. 12 And pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 And seek me, and you will find me, because you will seek me with your whole heart, 14 and I will appear to you.’ ” Jeremiah 36:10–14 (LES2) |
In verse 11, the MT takes the LXX’s “these things” and converts it to “a future and a hope.” In verse 13, the MT changes the LXX’s “I will appear to you,” to “I will be found by you.” After that the MT adds a significant amount of text not found in the LXX. |
