Different Parent Texts in Isaiah 53:8d? (Part 2)

In the last post, we considered the different vocalizations between the MT and Symm. and the rest of the OT tradition.  The former witnesses preserve a noun nega’, while the latter witnesses contained a verb for the consonants נגע.  In this post, the textual variant comes to the fore.  The last post contains the evidence and it will not be listed again here.  The reader is encouraged to scan the evidence once more before continuing with this post.  We will conclude by giving an English translation of the verse which is not in any English Bible today, although the proposal is not mine originally [see the proposal of Jan De Waard, who is reporting for the UBS committee and Dominique Barthelemy here].

Different Parent Texts in Isaiah 53:8d? (Part 1)

Introduction to the Problem

In the last post on Ecclesiastes 2:12, I concluded that although the LXX appeared to have a different parent text than the MT, the LXX actually witnessed to the same consonantal text as represented in the MT.  In Isaiah 53:8d, I want to explore an example where the LXX has a different parent text than the MT, and show that the LXX actually witnesses to the original Hebrew text.  But another matter in this verse must be treated first, so I will first present all of the evidence of Hebrew witnesses including the DSS and then present all of the evidence of the Ancient Versions.  I will then handle the issue of the MT pointing of nega’, and finally, in a separate post, I will return to the textual matter between the MT and the LXX in the same verse.

Updates to Seminary Papers

I have posted three new papers under the “Seminary Papers” page.

1. A paper on Isaiah 7:14 in Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho, which I wrote this Spring.
2. A paper on the land theme in the Biblical canon, which I wrote last Spring.  In this paper I attempt to trace in broad strokes the land promise in the OT and its subsequent fulfillments in the OT and its ultimate fulfillment in the NT.
3. I also linked to Adorare Mente’s publication of my paper on circumcision in Egypt and Israel.

I hope these papers interest you and stimulate your thinking in significant ways.

The Ancient Versions on Isaiah 7.14

Fewer texts in the OT have been more important to the Christian church than Isaiah 7:14. Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho is a great example of the controversy between Jews and Christians over this crucial text.  However, Justin and Trypho argue on the basis of Greek versions alone, and the controversy never descends to the meaning of the Hebrew Bible.  The Versions listed below are translations from the Hebrew text, and I offer some commentary on each one.