Category: Septuagint

Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Jeremiah 16:14-21

Septuagint

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.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

14 “Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that it shall no more be said, ‘The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 15 but, ‘The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers. Jeremiah 16:14–15 (NKJV) 

14 “Because of this, look, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “and they will no longer say, ‘The Lord lives, he who brought the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 15 but instead, ‘The Lord lives, who brought the house of Israel out of the land of the north and out of all the territories where they had been forced.’ And I will restore them to their land that I gave to their fathers. Jeremiah 16:14–15 (LES2) 

Jeremiah is famous for two amazing prophecies. He told the Jews that they would be deported to Babylon for seventy years and then would return. He even more importantly prophesied the New Covenant more clearly than perhaps anyone else. Both of those grand prophecies are referenced here.

This passage is connected with the restoration of Israel to the land after 70 years. The MT and LXX mostly agree except in the various words used for land and territory.

16 “Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the LORD, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. 17 For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes. 18 And first I will repay double for their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable idols.” Jeremiah 16:16–18 (NKJV) 

16 Look! I am sending many fishermen,” says the Lord, “and they will go fishing for them; and after these things, I will send many hunters, and they will hunt them atop every mountain and atop every hill and from the crevices of the rocks; 17 because my eyes are on all their ways, and their wrongs are not hidden before my eyes. 18 And I will repay through all their wickedness and their sins by which they have profaned my land, with the carcasses of their abominations and with their lawlessness by which they have trespassed my inheritance.” Jeremiah 16:16–18 (LES2) 

 The main difference here is that the MT speaks of the “carcasses of their detestable and abominable idols,” but the LXX words it, “the carcasses of their abominations and with the lawlessness by which they trespassed my inheritance.” An idol does not have a carcass, which is the body of a dead animal. I believe this term applies to anything killed as a sacrifice to an idol, including children burned as an offering to Molech. Jeremiah also includes general lawlessness as a sin warranting God’s judgment. Stephen, the church’s first martyr, summed it up when he said that the Jews were guilty of “always resisting the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 7:51) This ongoing sin resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD, the final act of Jesus’ first coming, which signified the complete end of the Old Covenant system.

19 O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, “Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things.” 20 Will a man make gods for himself, Which are not gods? Jeremiah 16:19–20 (NKJV) 

19 O Lord, you are my strength and my help and my refuge in the days of calamity. To you the nations will come, from the ends of the land, and they will say, “How have our fathers acquired false idols?” and “There is no benefit in them. 20 Shall a human make gods for himself?” and “These are not gods!” Jeremiah 16:19–20 (LES2) 

I believe this passage is indirectly connected to the New Covenant. As a result of the promulgation of the gospel throughout the world, multitudes of Gentiles have acknowledged that Jesus is Lord. We, who understand the role of the Jews in God’s great plan to bring the Messiah,  wonder that the Jewish people have abandoned the one true God. When the Jews rejected Christ, they also rejected the Father and became enemies of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:22–23 (NKJV) 

Since that time, unbelieving Jews have not known or served the true God. The Jews have adamantly opposed Christ and Christians ever since, except for the remnant who have come to Christ. We who believe wonder how the people who were once set apart to the one true God could join the opposition? It is a national betrayal. Only those who acknowledge Jesus is Lord are able to escape what Peter called a “perverse” (literally “crooked”) generation. (Acts 2:40)

21 “Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know My hand and My might; And they shall know that My name is the LORD. Jeremiah 16:21 (NKJV) 

21 Because of this, look, I will make my hand evident to them at this time, and I will make my power known to them, and they will know that my name is the Lord. Jeremiah 16:21 (LES2) 

The MT seeks to limit this revelation of the Lord to “this once,” meaning the return from Babylon, but the LXX, the version used by the apostles and early church, says God will make his hand evident “at this time (Greek – kairos).” I believe this is a reference both to the restoration from Babylon and to an even greater deliverance to come, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

Jesus told us that all scripture points to him. (John 5:39) The prophets prophesied concerning him.

10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1:10–12 (NKJV) 

Peter added that these men, such as Jeremiah, “spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) I believe that Jeremiah spoke about the coming of the Lord, the risen Jesus the Messiah. Paul wrote:

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:1–4 (NKJV) 

If we miss Jesus in the Old Covenant scriptures, we miss the whole point.

 

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Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Jeremiah 7

Septuagint

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.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 “Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, all you of Judah who enter in at these gates to worship the LORD!’ ” 3 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4 Do not trust in these lying words, saying, ‘The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these.’ Jeremiah 7:1–4 (NKJV) 

2 Hear the word of the Lord, all Judea! 3 This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “Make your ways and your practices straight, and I will establish you in this place. 4 Do not persuade yourselves by lying words, for they will absolutely not help you, saying, ‘It is the temple of the Lord! The temple of the Lord!’ Jeremiah 7:2–4 (LES2) 

 Immediately we see that the Masoretes added text to the LXX. In fact, the MT version of Jeremiah is 2700 words longer. 

5 “For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, 6 if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, 7 then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Jeremiah 7:5–7 (NKJV) 

5 For if in straightening you straighten your ways and your practices, and when making you make a judgment between a man and his neighbor, 6 and you do not oppress the stranger and the orphan and the widow, and you do not pour out innocent blood in this place, and you do not go after foreign gods to your detriment, 7 I will establish you in this place, in the land that I gave your fathers from eternity and until eternity. Jeremiah 7:5–7 (LES2)

The MT and LXX essentially agree in this passage. 

The land was promised to the fathers and given to their “seed” for eternity. The “seed” is Christ. (Galatians 3:16) The land does not belong to faithless Israel of the Old Testament, but to the New Covenant Israel of God, which is the “one new man” in Christ, the church, Christ’s bride, who is composed of Jew and Gentile, between whom God makes no distinction. In addition, the New Covenant “land” includes the entire earth (Romans 4:13), not just a sliver of land east of the Mediterranean Sea.

8 “Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. 9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know, 10 and then come and stand before Me in this house which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations’? 11 Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of thieves in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 7:8–11 (NKJV) 

8 But if you are convinced by lying words by which you will not be helped, 9 and you murder, and you commit adultery, and you steal, and you swear oaths on the basis of unrighteousness, and you burn incense to Baal and keep going after foreign gods that you have not known, 10 so that it goes badly for you; yet you have come and stood before me in the house where my name has been called upon it. And you have said, ‘We have removed ourselves to not do all these abominations.’ 11 Is my house [oikos], where my name has been called upon it there a cave spelion] of thieves [lestes] before you? And look, I have seen this,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 7:8–11 (LES2) 

Here is a case of omission in the MT. Verse 10 in the LXX has “so that it goes badly for you,” which the MT omits.

Both agree that the Jews claimed to have turned away from idolatry without doing so. 

Verse 11 was famously quoted by our Lord Jesus, who observed the same sins in his day. 

13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house [oikos] shall be called a house of prayer [proseuke],’ but you have made it a ‘den [spelion] of thieves.[lestes]’ ” Matthew 21:13 (NKJV) 

Jesus combined this verse in Jeremiah with another one in Isaiah, where the temple is called a house of prayer.

7 I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them be cheerful in my house of prayer. Their whole burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable upon my altar, for my house will be called a house [oikos] of prayer [proseuke] for all the nations,” Isaiah 56:7 (LES2) 

12 “But go now to My place which was in Shiloh, where I set My name at the first, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. 13 And now, because you have done all these works,” says the LORD, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer, 14 therefore I will do to the house which is called by My name, in which you trust, and to this place which I gave to you and your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren—the whole posterity of Ephraim. Jeremiah 7:12–15 (NKJV)

12 “Because you went to my place, the one in Shiloh where I settled my name before. You have seen what I did to it because of the face of the evil of my people Israel. 13 And now, because of all these deeds you have done, and I spoke to you and you did not listen to me, and I called you and you did not reply, 14 so I will do to the house which my name has been called upon it, which you have trusted, even the place I gave to you and your fathers, just as I did to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you off from my face just as I cast off your brothers, all the seed of Ephraim.” Jeremiah 7:12–15 (LES2) 

 The MT changed the verb tense of “go” to a command instead of the past tense used by the LXX, “you went,” at the start of verse 12. Later in the same verse the MT uses present tense “see” instead of the LXX’s past tense, “have seen.”  The MT adds the phrase, “rising up early and speaking.” Otherwise the passage is in agreement.

16 “Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. Jeremiah 7:16 (NKJV) 

16 “And as for you, do not pray for this people, and do not consider them worthy of being shown mercy. And do not pray and do not come to me about them, because I will not listen. Jeremiah 7:16 (LES2)

 Here we have another significant change in the MT, which inserts, “nor lift up a cry or prayer for them,” in place of the LXX’s, “do not consider them worthy of being shown mercy.” God will not listen to any prayer for them because he will not show mercy. 

17 Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 18 The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. 19 Do they provoke Me to anger?” says the LORD. “Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?” Jeremiah 7:17–19 (NKJV) 

17 Or don’t you see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and on the roads of Jerusalem? 18 Their children gather wood, and their fathers kindle a fire, and their women grind flour to make cakes for the host of heaven. And they pour out libations to foreign gods so that they might provoke me to anger. 19 Don’t they provoke me to anger?” says the Lord, “and don’t they also provoke themselves so that their faces are disgraced?” Jeremiah 7:17–19 (LES2) 

 The MT calls the object of their veneration the “queen of heaven;” whereas, the LXX identifies this false deity as “the host or army of heaven.” Interestingly, Jeremiah does use the term “queen of heaven” in other places (Jeremiah 44:17-19,25), but not here. Worshiping the hosts of heaven, continues to this day unwittingly by heliocentrists who deny that Genesis One is true and instead believe the satanic cosmology of atheistic astrophysicists.

20 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, My anger and My fury will be poured out on this place—on man and on beast, on the trees of the field and on the fruit of the ground. And it will burn and not be quenched.” Jeremiah 7:20 (NKJV) 

20 On account of this, thus says the Lord: “Look, my wrath and anger will be poured out upon this place and upon the humans, and upon the livestock, and upon every tree of their field, and upon the fruit of the land. And it will burn, and it will not be quenched.” Jeremiah 7:20 (LES2) 

 The MT and LXX essentially agree.

21 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. 22 For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. 23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ Jeremiah 7:21–23 (NKJV) 

21 Thus says the Lord: “Gather your whole burnt offerings with your sacrifices and eat meat. 22 For I did not speak to your fathers or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt about whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 Instead, I commanded them this word, saying, ‘Hear my voice, and I will be a God for you, and you will be a people for me. And walk in all my ways that I have commanded you, so that it may be well with you.’ Jeremiah 7:21–23 (LES2) 

The MT and LXX essentially agree. Jeremiah takes the Jews back to their beginnings as a nation when God led them out of Egypt. God’s command was simple, but they were not able to keep it.

The psalmist may have had this in mind when he wrote as recorded in the LXX and quoted in Hebrews:

7 You did not want sacrifice and offering, but you restored a body to me. You did not ask for whole burnt offering and an offering concerning sin. 8 Then I said, “Look, I have arrived. In the scroll of the document it has been written concerning me. 9 I wish to do your will, O my God, and your law is in the middle of my heart.” Psalm 39:7–9 (LES2) (Psalm 40:6-8 in the MT, which was corrupted.)

The passage in psalms applies to the Lord who came to fulfill the heart of the law which was to produce an obedient people who listen to God’s voice. (Romans 1:5)

24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have even sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. 26 Yet they did not obey Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. 27 “Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 “So you shall say to them, ‘This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth. Jeremiah 7:24–28 (NKJV) 

24 And they did not hear me or pay attention with their ear, but they walked in the thoughts of their wicked heart, and they went backward and not forward 25 from the day that their fathers left the land of Egypt, even to this day. And I sent you all my servants the prophets by day, and I sent them early, 26 and they did not hear me or pay attention with their ear, and they stiffened their neck more than their fathers. 28 And you will say this word to them: ‘As for this nation, which has not heard the voice of the Lord or accepted discipline, faith has come to an end from their mouth.’ ” Jeremiah 7:24–28 (LES2) 

The passage is in agreement until verse 27 in the MT, which is not found in the LXX. Other than that the remainder agrees, except the MT says that truth has been perished and cut off from their mouth.” The LXX says that “faith has come to an end from their mouth.”

This became evident when the Jews of our Lord’s day, for the most part, refused to confess that Jesus is Lord as an evidence of submissive faith in his resurrection glory.

29 Cut off your hair and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on the desolate heights; for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.’ 30 For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight,” says the LORD. “They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it. 31 And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into My heart. Jeremiah 7:29–31 (NKJV) 

29 Cut off your hair and throw it away, and lift a lamentation on your lips, for the Lord has rejected and thrust away the generation that has done these things. 30 “For the sons of Judah have done evil against me,” says the Lord. “They have arranged their abominations in the house upon which my name has been invoked, to defile it. 31 And they have built the altar of Topheth, which is in the ravine of the son of Ennom, to burn their sons and their daughters with fire, which I did not command them, and I did not intend in my heart. Jeremiah 7:29–31 (LES2) —

The MT says to take up a lamentation on the desolate heights, but the LXX says to do so “on your lips.” Instead of calling that generation “of his wrath,” the LXX says it was the one “that has done these things.” The MT says “high places” of Tophet, but the LXX says “altar.” There children were burned alive as sacrifices to Molech. From that point on, the passage is in agreement.

32 “Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “when it will no more be called Tophet, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter; for they will bury in Tophet until there is no room. 33 The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the heaven and for the beasts of the earth. And no one will frighten them away. 34 Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. For the land shall be desolate. Jeremiah 7:32–34 (NKJV) 

32 On account of this, look, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “and they will no longer say, ‘The altar of Topheth’ and ‘The valley of the son of Ennom,’ but rather, ‘The valley of the slain.’ And they will bury people in Topheth because there is no other place. 33 And the corpses of this people will become food for the birds of heaven and the wild animals of the land. And there will be no one to scare them away. 34 And I will destroy the sound of cheering and the sound of rejoicing from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of the bridegroom and the sound of the bride, because all the land will be a desolation.” Jeremiah 7:32–34 (LES2) 

The wording is different in various places in this passage, but the general idea is the same. God promised the land would  be desolated.

 

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Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Jeremiah 1

Septuagint

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.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 2 to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. Jeremiah 1:1–3 (NKJV) 

1 The word of God that came to Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests, who dwelled in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin; 2 the word of God that came to him in the days of Josiah, son of Amos, the king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his kingdom. 3 And it happened in the days of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, the king of Judah, until the eleventh year of Zedekiah, son of Josiah, the king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month. Jeremiah 1:1–3 (LES2) 

 The first difference we see is that the LXX ascribes Jeremiah’s prophecies to God, but the MT says simply, “The words of Jeremiah.” Based on my preliminary comparison and study of Jeremiah, I have concluded that he was the most hated prophet next to Jesus. His book contains the most alterations and includes pro-Zionist additions and restructuring. I have written previously that the rabbinic Jews were not afraid to alter or even abrogate the written Word of God. They esteemed their own power and traditions more. Jesus confirmed this during his ministry, and that was before Rabbi Akiva consolidated power at Jamnia, which led to the publication of more than one alternate Greek Old Testament text and eventually the Masoretic Text. Jeremiah had some of the strongest denunciations of Judah’ sin leading up to the Babylonian captivity. He also had the clearest prophecy regarding the New Covenant. 

4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4–5 (NKJV) 

4 And the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in the belly, and I sanctified you before you came out; I established you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4–5 (LES2)

Interestingly, the LXX, which I believe is the true version of Jeremiah, puts the prophet in the third person in verse 4. Perhaps this part was being transcribed by an assistant. 

This passage is a strong assertion of  God’s sovereignty. God states he knew, set apart, and appointed Jeremiah as a prophet to the nations. He was not consulted in the matter. God simply told him what his ministry and calling was. This is reminiscent of Paul’s statement in Galatians.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, Galatians 1:15–16 (NKJV) 

Paul’s was a specific calling, as with Jeremiah, but every child of God has a general call that originates in God’s sovereignty.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3–6 (NKJV)

Some people revolt against God’s sovereign election, thinking that somehow it robs us of responsibility and freedom. Nevertheless, it is what is written. This topic would take too long to cover here, but I have written elsewhere about it, if you desire to read more. In summary, let me say that without God’s election, no one would ever be saved because we are hopelessly bent toward evil without his coming to our rescue. God’s sovereignty and our responsibility are both true in the mystery of God.

6 Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” 7 But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 1:6–8 (NKJV) 

6 And I said, “Lord who is master, look, I do not know what to say, because I am a youth.” 7 And the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you will go to anyone to whom I send you, and you will speak anything I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of their face, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 1:6–8 (LES2)

In the MT, Jeremiah protests of his inability based on his youth, saying, “I cannot speak” which reminds us of Moses’ similar protest in Exodus 4:10 that he lacked eloquence. Jeremiah, not having been raised in Pharaoh’s court, did not focus on a lack of eloquence. I imagine that the LXX translation hits closer to home. He simply did not know what to say or felt inadequate to speak to his elders. God addressed both issues. 

God’s response to Jeremiah was very strong, even stronger than what he said to Moses. I am sure God tempers his responses to our personalities, knowing exactly how to work inside each of us. In Jeremiah’s case, he simply said that he would go and would speak whatever God told him. Period! He encouraged him by telling him he would be with him to deliver him from men. 

The specific warning was to not be afraid of their faces. When people exhibit hatred toward us in their faces, it can be intimidating. God warned the prophet what was to come when he would bring scathing words of rebuke to a hostile nation.

9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:9–10 (NKJV)

9 And the Lord stretched out his hand toward me and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Look, I have placed my words into your mouth. 10 Look, I have appointed you today to nations and kingdoms, in order to root out and cast down and utterly destroy and build up and plant.” Jeremiah 1:9–10 (LES2) 

This is the closest thing we have for a “mission statement” for Jeremiah. The wording is slightly different, but the MT and LXX basically agree. The MT says Jeremiah was “set over the nations.” The LXX says he was “appointed to the nations.” Either way, God’s authority flowed through the prophet.

11 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” 13 And the word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.” Jeremiah 1:11–13 (NKJV)

11 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “What do you see?” And I said, “An almond staff.” 12 And the Lord said to me, “You have seen rightly, because I have stirred up over my words in order to do them.” 13 And the word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “A burning cauldron, and its face is from the face of the north.” Jeremiah 1:11–13 (LES2)

After touching Jeremiah’s mouth to “install” his Word, he began training the prophet in interpreting prophetic visions. God often speaks to us in visionary form, but most people are unaware and unskilled at interpretation. 

The Hebrew word translated as “almond branch” really is the word for rod or staff.

14 Then the LORD said to me: “Out of the north calamity shall break forth On all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For behold, I am calling All the families of the kingdoms of the north,” says the LORD; “They shall come and each one set his throne At the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, Against all its walls all around, And against all the cities of Judah. 16 I will utter My judgments Against them concerning all their wickedness, Because they have forsaken Me, Burned incense to other gods, And worshiped the works of their own hands. Jeremiah 1:14–16 (NKJV)

14 And the Lord said to me, “From the face of the north evils shall be kindled upon all who dwell in the land.” 15 “For look, I am convening all the kingdoms of the earth from the north,” says the Lord. “And they will come, and each one will set his throne against the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem and against all the walls that surround it and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will speak to them in judgment concerning all their evil, seeing as they have forsaken me and have sacrificed to foreign gods and have bowed down to the works of their hands. Jeremiah 1:14–16 (LES2)

The wording is slightly different in the MT, where it says in verse 15, “all the families of the kingdoms of the north.” The LXX says, “all the kingdoms of the earth from the north.” The only other difference of note is that the MT in verse 16 says that Judah “burned sacrificial incense to other or foreign gods,” but the LXX simply says they “sacrificed to foreign gods.” This was the main sin which brought destruction upon the nation. Such idolatry was a fundamental rejection of God and his authority or rule. Instead, they fashioned idols to worship. This essentially was self-worship.

17 “Therefore prepare yourself and arise, And speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before their faces, Lest I dismay you before them. 18 For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land— Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:17–19 (NKJV)

17 And, you, gird up your loins and stand up and say anything I command you. Do not be afraid of their face or be terrified before them, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. 18 “Look, I have established you today as a firm city, and I have fortified all the kings of Judah, its rulers, and the people of the land as a brazen wall. 19 And they will fight against you, and they shall not prevail against you, because I am with you to deliver you,” said the Lord. Jeremiah 1:17–19 (LES2) 

Verse 17 contains quite a difference. The MT has God threatening to dismay Jeremiah if he disobeys. The LXX says that God promises to protect the prophet.

Verse 18 in the MT says that God made Jeremiah a “fortified pillar,” but the LXX says that God fortified all the kings of Judah, its rulers, and its people as a brass wall. Both agree in verse 19 that the rulers and people will fight against Jeremiah, but God promises that they will not prevail because of God’s protection. Jeremiah needed this assurance in the days to come. The prophetic call is very costly and requires great courage.

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 9:12-13

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. 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.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

12 it was said to her, “The older [megas] shall serve [douleuo] the younger [ellason].” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved [agapao], but Esau I have hated [miseo].” Romans 9:12–13 (NKJV) 

…the greater [megas] will serve [douleuo] the younger [ellason].” Genesis 25:23 (LES2) 

…“And I loved [agapao] Jacob, 3 but I hated [miseo] Esau, Malachi 1:2b–3a (LES2) 

… the older shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23b (NKJV)

“Yet Jacob I have loved; 3 But Esau I have hated, Malachi 1:2b–3a (NKJV)

 The Greek words match in the LXX, but the order of words matches the MT. I suppose this is a tie.

 

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 8:36

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. 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.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

36 As it is written: “For Your sake [eneka] we are killed [thanatoo] all day [hemera] long [holos]; We are accounted [hemera]as sheep [probaton] for the slaughter [sphage].” Romans 8:36 (NKJV) 

23 For on account [eneka] of you we are being killed [thanatoo] the whole [holos] day [hemera]. We are reckoned [hemera] as sheep of slaughter [sphage]. Psalm 43:23 (LES2) 

22 Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Psalm 44:22 (NKJV) 

 Exact match to LXX. There is no difference with the MT either.

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 4:17

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. 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.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

17 (as it is written, “I have made [tithemi] you a father [pater] of many [polus] nations [ethnos]”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; Romans 4:17 (NKJV) 

5 And your name will no longer be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, because I have made [tithemi] you a father [pater] of many [polus] nations [ethnos]. Genesis 17:5 (LES2)

4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. Genesis 17:4 (NKJV)

 This is an exact match to the LXX. Because the MT changed the verb tense to future, Paul’s statement, that God calls those things which be not as though they already existed, would make no sense. Verb tenses matter, as does every word of scripture.

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 4:3

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. 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.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed [pisteuo] God, and it was accounted [logidzomai] to him for righteousness [dikaiosune].” Romans 4:3 (NKJV) 

6 And Abram trusted [pisteuo] God, and it was reckoned [logidzomai] to him as righteousness [dikaiosune]. Genesis 15:6 (LES2) 

6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6 (NKJV) 

 Exact match to LXX.

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Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Isaiah 6

Septuagint

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.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah 6:1–3 (NKJV)

1 And this happened in the year when Uzziah the king died: I saw the Lord seated on a high and raised throne, and the building was full of his glory. 2 And seraphim stood around him; each one had six wings, and with two they were covering their face, and with two they were covering their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And one cried aloud to the other, and they were saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord Sabaoth; the whole land is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:1–3 (LES2)

John 12:41 reveals that Isaiah’s vision in this chapter is of the Lord Jesus. This is not surprising since all of the Bible points to Christ. (John 5:39)

The LXX does not mention any robe, only the Lord, his throne, and his glory. No temple is mentioned either, but a house. 

The MT says the seraphim stood above him, but the LXX says they stood around him. They cried out, “Holy, holy, holy,” which some believe is a reference to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They also announced that the entire earth (ge) is filled with God’s glory. If only our eyes were opened fully to this marvelous reality!

4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:4–5 (NKJV) 

4 And the lintel was lifted because of the sound that they were shouting, and the building filled with smoke. 5 And I said, “Oh, I am wretched, because I am pierced; for I live in the middle of a people having impure lips, being a person and having impure lips, and I have seen the king, the Lord Sabaoth, with my eyes!” Isaiah 6:4–5 (LES2)

 In the experience of the shaking and smoke-filled glory, Isaiah literally said, “I am suffering because I am pierced [in my heart].” This was because he was aware of his sin and that of his people while at the same time beholding king Jesus.

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” Isaiah 6:6–7 (NKJV) 

6 And one of the seraphim was sent to me, and in its hand it was holding a coal that it took with a holder from the altar. 7 And it touched my mouth and said, “Look, this has touched your lips and will take away your transgressions and will purge away your sins.” Isaiah 6:6–7 (LES2)

 The MT says a seraphim flew to Isaiah, but the LXX said God sent it to him. Much better. The MT said the live coal took away his sin, but the LXX says it will take it away, pointing to the future sacrifice Jesus would make. Verb tenses matter.

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV)

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go to this people?” And I said, “Look, I am here; send me!” Isaiah 6:8 (LES2) 

 The MT says, “Who will go for us,” but the LXX says, “who will go to this people.” The missionary apostolic call to go make disciples is given to God’s blood-bought people. When we truly encounter God and his grace, our response will be, “Send me.”

9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.” Isaiah 6:9–10 (NKJV)

9 And he said, “Go and say to this people, ‘You will hear by hearing and not understand; and although looking, you will look and not see.’ 10 For the heart of this people has been thickened; and they have heard heavily with their ears, and they closed their eyes in case they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I will heal them.” Isaiah 6:9–10 (LES2)

God called Isaiah and Christ’s disciples to take the good news to people who are spiritually blind and deaf. Jesus quoted this verse.

13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’ Matthew 13:13–15 (NKJV)

The quote in Matthew is almost 100% verbatim compared to Isaiah. 

The Jewish people, for the most part, were and are blind and deaf to the reality of Jesus’ being the Messiah.

11 Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate, 12 The LORD has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. 13 But yet a tenth will be in it, And will return and be for consuming, As a terebinth tree or as an oak, Whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.” Isaiah 6:11–13 (NKJV)

11 And I said, “Until when, Lord?” And he said, “Until cities are desolated to the point of not being inhabited and houses to the point of there being no people, and the land will be left deserted.” 12 And after these things God will distance the people, and those left behind will increase on the land. 13 And still the tenth part is on it, and again it will become plunder like a terebinth tree and like an acorn when it falls from its case. Isaiah 6:11–13 (LES2)

When Isaiah asks how long this blindness will continue, God tells him until the destruction of Jerusalem, which was the final element of Christ’s first coming. It was only when the temple and sacrificial system were destroyed that the veil came off God’s new covenant people, and we saw more clearly the glory of what God has done in Christ.

The MT adds something to the end of verse 13 to make it sound as if the nation of Israel will be somehow restored, but that is not in the LXX. The holy seed is Christ (Galatians 3:16), not some remnant of national Israel. Some of the changes made to the MT were designed to prop up the Zionist position that has deceived so many Christians into abandoning a proper understanding of the New Covenant.

 

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Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Isaiah 4:2-6

Septuagint

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.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

2 In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped. Isaiah 4:2 (NKJV)

2 But on that day God will shine in counsel with glory upon the land, to raise and to glorify the remnant of Israel. Isaiah 4:2 (LES2)

 The LXX refers to the church, the remnant of the elect, the Israel of God, being glorified when the light and glory of the Lord is revealed upon the earth. 

3 And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, Isaiah 4:3–4 (NKJV)

3 And the remainder will be in Zion and the remnant in Jerusalem; all those recorded for life in Jerusalem will be called holy, 4 because the Lord will wash out the filth of the sons and daughters of Zion, and he will purge the blood from the middle of them by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning. Isaiah 4:3–4 (LES2)

 The is also talking about the elect of God in Christ (Ephesians 1:4) who are cleansed from their sins by the blood of Christ applied by the Holy Spirit. 

5 then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. 6 And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain. Isaiah 4:5–6 (NKJV) 

5 And it will come, and as for every place of the mountain Zion and all the places surrounding her, a cloud will shade them by day, and like smoke and burning fire light by night, and it will be covered with all the glory. 6 And it will serve as shade from the heat, and as shelter, and as a place hidden from the harshness and the rain. Isaiah 4:5–6 (LES2)

 This speaks of God’s presence in a way that is reminiscent of Israel’s desert wanderings, when God shaded them with the cloud of his presence by day and lit the night with his holy fire. It will be fulfilled when his glory fills the earth. (Isaiah 6:3)
     

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 3:10-18

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. 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.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” 13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10–18 (NKJV)

2 The Lord looked out from the heavens upon the sons of humans, to see if there is one who understands or one who seeks out God. 3 All turned aside together. They became useless. There is not one doing goodness; there is not even one. Their throat is an opened grave. With their tongues they have dealt treacherously with one another. The poison of asps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are quick to pour out blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways, and they know not the way of peace. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Psalm 13:2–3 (LES2) 

2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Psalm 14:2–3 (NKJV)

 This comparison makes it quite plain that Paul quoted the LXX. The Greek matches perfectly. The MT does not even contain a section of the quote in verse 3. This one goes to the LXX.

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