[B-Greek] Why does the Greek New Testament sometimes quote from theLXX and not from the proto-MT whe
John Byron
jbyron at ashland.edu
Thu Mar 11 09:06:04 EST 2004
Philip,
The NT authors seem to have been more familiar with the LXX than a proto-MT. Also, we must be careful if we assume that there was a single homogeneous Hebrew text available to anyone in the first century CE. The numerous biblical fragments found at Qumran, Cairo Geniza and even the Targumim demonstrate that there were a variety of texts available. I am not sure we should conclude that an author chose a text to fit a particular theological point, but I would not rule it out. The LXX is, in many ways, a theological interpretation of one or more Hebrew texts. Thus the LXX reflects the theology of many Greek reading Jews living during that time.
John Byron Ph.D.
Ashland Theological Seminary
910 Center St.
Ashland, OH 44805
jbyron at ashland.edu
>>> "Philip Engmann" <phil-eng at ighmail.com> 03/11/04 08:46AM >>>
Dear B-Greekers,
Why does the Greek New Testament sometimes quote from the LXX and not
from the proto-MT where the two texts differ?
For example, in the following verses:[1]
1. Hebrews 1.6/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
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WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spDt32-43.html> Deuteronomy 32.43
"Let all God's angels worship him." NT/LXX
The MT omits this quotation MT
2. Hebrews 2.6-8/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
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WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spPs8-4.html> Psalm 8.4-6
"Thou didst make him a little lower than the angels" NT/LXX
"thou hast made him a little less than God" MT
3. Hebrews 2.13/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
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WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spIs8-17.html> Isaiah 8.17
"I will put my trust in him." NT/LXX
"I will hope in him" MT
4. Hebrews 3.15/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
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ts/Philip's%20Files/My%20Documents/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDO
WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spPs95-7.html> Psalm 95.7-8
"Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the
rebellion." NT/LXX
"O that today you would hearken to his voice! Harden not your hearts, as
at Meribah" MT
5. Hebrews 8.8-12/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
S/My%20Documents/My%20Documents/WINDOWS/Mcuments/Philip's%20Files/Mcumen
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WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spJr31-31.html> Jeremiah. 31.31-34
"for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to
them, says the Lord" NT/LXX
"my covenant which they broke, though I was their husband, says the
LORD" MT
6. Hebrews 10.5-7/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
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WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spPs40-6.html> Psalm 40.6-8
"Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired; but a body hast thou
prepared for me" NT/LXX
"Sacrifice and offering thou dost not desire; but thou hast given me an
open ear" MT
7. Hebrews 10.37-38/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
S/My%20Documents/My%20Documents/WINDOWS/Mcuments/Philip's%20Files/Mcumen
ts/Philip's%20Files/My%20Documents/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDO
WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spHab2-3.html> Habakkuk 2.3-4
"and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."
NT/LXX
"Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail [Hebrews. - is
puffed up]" MT
8. Hebrews 11.21/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
S/My%20Documents/My%20Documents/WINDOWS/Mcuments/Philip's%20Files/Mcumen
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WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spGen47-31.html> Genesis 47.31
"By faith Jacob ... bowing in worship over the head of his staff."
NT/LXX
"Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed"
MT
9. Hebrews 12.5-6/
<http://us.f1f.yahoofs.com/users/f298c9bb/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOW
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WS/Desktop/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/WINDOWS/spPr3-11.html> Proverbs 3.11-12
"For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son
whom he receives." NT/LXX
"for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he
delights" MT
_____
[1] The first phrase shows the New Testament and the LXX wording, and
the second phrase has the wording from the Hebrew Old Testament. In each
case, the New Testament author is true to the Septuagint. The difference
between the Hebrew MT and the Greek LXX is highlighted.
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