THE MASORETIC VS THE SEPTUAGINT
3-15-15
3-15-15
NOTE: Most of the information from the following
article was taken from THE ALEXANDRIAN SEPTUAGINT HISTORY by Barry Setterfield,
March 2010. Mr. Setterfield’s entire article
(and others that are related) may be found at http://www.setterfield.org/Septuagint_History.html
. I have attempted to compose a short,
easy-to-read synopsis from an otherwise expansive article.
History of the
Septuagint
There was an Egyptian Jewish community around 495
BC. After the Greek conquest of the
Persian Empire Alexandria acquired a large population of Greek speaking
Jews. The common language around the
Mediterranean Sea became Greek by 300 BC.
Greek was the language of the apostles, the early Christian church, and
on into the early Church Fathers.
Ptolemy sent a messenger to Jerusalem for
interpreters. The Jewish historian, Josephus,
relates that seventy Greek speaking Hebrew scholars were sent to do the
translation. It is estimated the
beginning of the translation occurred around 283 BC with the Pentateuch
finished around 282 BC with the remainder completed in phases.
The early Church was initially mostly Jewish
converts. The Gospels and the letters of
Paul contain several Old Testament scripture quotes. All of these quotes came from the Alexandrian
Septuagint of which the new Christians were quite familiar. Anyone who has bothered to look up these Old
Testament quotes listed in the New Testament will discover they are either not
there or do not match. It this because
the New Testament writers were half-wits who really didn’t know the Old
Testament scriptures and merely misquoted them?
From the book of Acts and other historical documents, it
is noted the Church soon became mostly Gentile or non-Jewish. The hatred of the die-hard Jews toward the
Church became increasingly intense and never abated.
Toward the end of the 1st century a rabbi
named Akiba, desiring to obtain power, gained control of the Rabbinical School
at Yavneh (Jamnia). Akiba supposedly had
a passionate hatred of Jesus and Christians in general, and he admired a person
named Bar Kikhba, who was positioning himself as the warlike Messiah.
Dan Gruber's book Rabbi Akiba's Messiah
makes the following statement:
Akiba's opposition to the [Christians] led him to sponsor a new rabbinical
Greek Bible and a rabbinical, colloquial Targum [commentary]. It also led him
to alter Pharasaic tradition. In his efforts to bring Jewish life under
rabbinic authority, Akiba was consistent and relentless. Sometimes Akiba
intentionally held to certain doctrines just to contradict the beliefs of the
[Christians], as he had done in his struggle against Gamaliel.... He put the
oral law in writing to increase his leverage against the traditional rabbis..
The primary goal of Akiba was to compile a new and different
version of the Greek Old Testament. The
translation was done by a student of Akiba named Aquila. It was completed in 128 AD and is now known
as the Greek version of the Masoretic text.
After the completion of the Greek Masoretic text all found copied of the
Septuagint were burned. Another comment
by Dan Gruber, in the same book, states:
The Rabbis decreed that even a Tanakh scroll should be burned if it
was written by a [Christian]. 'R. Nahman said: We have it on tradition that a
scroll of the Law which has been written by a [Christian] should be burnt.' R.
Akiba says: One burns the whole thing, because it was not written in holiness.'"
Therefore, the entire Akiba process, now known as the Council
of Jamnia, presents us with the Hebrew Masoretic text in block text as opposed
to the paleo-Hebrew (script text) translation of the Septuagint (LXX).
Quote by Barry
Setterfield
Rabbi Akiba and others at the Council of Jamnia denied
that Jesus of Nazareth was the long-awaited Messiah. The Christians, however,
had been using the Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Savior, the Messiah.
Thus, it was either the Council of Jamnia itself or a group related to or
supported by them who literally re-wrote the ancient Scriptures. The most
obvious thing they did was to write them in a more modern Hebrew type. The
ancient, or Paleo-Hebrew was more like script and the modern Hebrew which they used was and is comprised of the square
characters we see today. However, that was not all they did. They quietly
changed a number of the prophecies used by the Christians so they would not
appear to be fulfilled by Jesus, or at least not match what was being quoted in
the Christian writings.14 They
also, for a rather strange reason, chose to shorten the genealogies in Genesis
5 and 11, effectively chopping off over 1300 years in total.
Comparing New
Testament Quotes / Masoretic / Septuagint
The following chart comparing KJV New Testament quotes
from the Old Testament to those found in the Masoretic and in the Septuagint
was taken from the following web page: http://ecclesia.org/truth/comparisons.html
This chart will show how Jesus Christ and the apostles
quoted from the Greek Septuagint when they were quoting from the Old Testament.
In bibles, the Old Testament is translated from the Masoretic text, from 1000 A.D.
The New Testament quotes could not have come from the Masoretic text, because
it did not exist at the time the New Testament was written; it would not be
translated for another 1000 years! The Septuagint, on the other hand, was
translated 285 years before Christ, and this is the text that the writers of
the New Testament quoted from!
In the left hand column, we have listed several verses
from the New Testament which are quotations from verses in the Old Testament.
In the center and right hand columns are the verses being quoted from the Old
Testament - the center being from the KJV Masoretic Hebrew translation, the
right-hand being from the Greek Septuagint.
In the right and left columns, we have set in bold type
the major words that conform to one another and that are not found in the
Masoretic text. Take note how many verses from the Masoretic text have lost
their clear and pure meaning as compared to the New Testament and Septuagint.
King James
|
King James
|
Septuagint
|
1 Peter 4:18, "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where
shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
|
Proverbs 11:31, "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the
earth: much more the wicked and the sinner."
|
Proverbs 11:31, "If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall
the ungodly and sinner appear?"
|
Romans 11:34, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who
hath been his counsellor?"
|
Isaiah 40:13, "Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being
his counsellor hath taught him?"
|
Isaiah 40:13, "Who has known the mind of the Lord? and who
has been his counsellor, to instruct him?
|
Hebrews 13:6, "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
|
Psalms 118:6, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can
man do unto me?"
|
Psalms 117:6, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man
shall do to me."
|
Matthew 13:15, "For this people's heart is waxed gross,
and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest
at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them."
|
Isaiah 6:10, "Make the heart of this people fat, and make their
ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with
their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be
healed."
|
Isaiah 6:10, For the heart of this people has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear
with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I
should heal them."
|
| Romans 9:27-28, "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." |
Isaiah 10:22-23, "For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the
sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall
overflow with righteousness. For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a
consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land."
|
Isaiah 10:22-23, "And though the people of Israel be as the sand of
the sea, a remnant of them shall be saved: For he will finish the work,
and cut it short in righteousness: because the Lord will make a short work in
all the earth."
|
Romans 15:12, "And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of
Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the
Gentiles trust."
|
Isaiah 11:10, "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse,
which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek:
and his rest shall be glorious."
|
Isaiah 11:10, "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, and
he that shall rise to rule over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust,
and his rest shall be glorious."
|
Acts 4:25-26, "Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why
did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of
the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together
against the Lord, and against his Christ."
|
Psalms 2:1-2, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a
vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take
counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed,"
|
Psalms 2:1-2, "Wherefore did the heathen rage, and the
nations imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth stood up, and the
rulers gathered themselves together against the Lord, and against his Christ."
|
2 Corinthians 6:17, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you,"
|
Isaiah 52:11, "Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch
no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the
vessels of the LORD."
|
Isaiah 52:11, "Depart ye, depart ye, go out from thence, and touch
not the unclean thing; go ye out from the midst of her; seperate
yourselves, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord."
|
Romans 11:9, "And David saith, Let their table be made a snare,
and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them."
|
Psalms 69:22, "Let their table become a snare: and that which
should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap."
|
Psalms 69:22, "Let their table before them be for a snare: and
for a recompence, and for a stumbling-block."
|
Hebrews 12:5, "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh
unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:"
|
Proverbs 3:11, "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD;
neither be weary of his correction:"
|
Proverbs 3:11, "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor
faint when thou art rebuked of him:"
|
Matthew 3:3, "For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet
Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye
the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
|
Isaiah 40:3, "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our
God."
|
Isaiah 40:3, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our
God."
|
Matthew 13:35, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things
which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
|
Psalms 78:2, "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will
utter dark sayings of old:"."
|
Psalms 78:2, "I will open my mouth in parables; I will
utter dark sayings which have been from the beginning."
|
Matthew 15:8-9, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth,
and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in
vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
|
Isaiah 29:13, "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people
draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have
removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the
precept of men:"
|
Isaiah 29:13, "And the Lord has said, This people draw nigh to me
with their mouth, and they honour me with their lips; but their heart is far
from me: but in vain do they worship me, teaching the commandments and
doctrines of men."
|
Ephesians 4:26, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go
down upon your wrath:"
|
Psalms 4:4, "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own
heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."
|
Psalms 4:4, "Be ye angry, and
sin not: feel compunction upon your beds for what ye say in your hearts.
Pause."
|
Romans 3:13, "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their
tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their
lips:"
|
Psalms 5:9, "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their
inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they
flatter with their tongue."
|
Psalms 5:9, "For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is
vain; their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used
deceit."
|
Hebrews 10:5, "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith,
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou
prepared me:"
|
Psalms 40:6, "Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine
ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not
required."
|
Psalms 40:6, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but
a body thou hast prepared me: whole-burnt offerning and sacrifice for
sin thou didst not require."
|
Acts 2:25-28, "For David speaketh
concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for
he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and
my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in
hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance." |
Psalms 16:8-11, "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is
at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory
rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." |
Psalms 15:8-11, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my
tongue exulted; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt fill me with joy with thy countenance: at they right hand there are delights for ever." |
Romans 3:12, "They are all gone out of the way, they are
together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not
one."
|
Psalms 53:3, "Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether
become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
|
Psalms 53:3, "They have all gone out of the way, they are
together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, there is
not even one."
|
1 Peter 5:7, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth
for you."
|
Psalms 55:22, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain
thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
|
Psalms 55:22, "Cast thy care upon the LORD, and he shall
sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
|
Hebrews 11:21, "By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both
the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff."
|
Genesis 47:31, "And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him.
And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head."
|
Genesis 47:31, "And he said, Swear to me; and he swore to him. And
Israel did reverence, leaning on the top of his staff."
|
Galatians 3:10, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under
the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth
not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."
|
Numbers 16:5, "And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company,
saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and
will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he
cause to come near unto him."
|
Numbers 16:5, "Cursed is every man that continues not
in all the words of this law to do them; and all the people shall say, So be
it.
|
Romans 9:29, "And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of
Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made
like unto Gomorrha."
|
Isaiah 1:9, "Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very
small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like
unto Gomorrah."
|
Isaiah 1:9, "And if the Lord of Sabaoth had not left us a
seed, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been made
like unto Gomorrha."
|
Matthew 12:20-21, "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax
shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his
name shall the Gentiles trust."
|
Isaiah 42:4, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have
set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."
|
Isaiah 42:4, "He shall shine out, and shall not be discouraged,
until he have set judgment on the earth: And in his name shall the Gentiles
trust."
|
Acts 7:14, "Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to
him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls." (75)
|
Genesis 46:27, "And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in
Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into
Egypt, were threescore and ten." (70)
Exodus 1:5, "And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy
souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already." (70) |
Genesis 46:27, "And the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in the
land of Egypt, were nine souls; all the souls of the house of Jacob who came
with Joseph into Egypt, were seventy-five souls." (75)
Exodus 1:5, "But Joseph was in Egypt. And all the souls [born] of Jacob were seventy-five."
(75) |
