Ep. 154. Isaiah 7-9 | Unto Us A Child Is Born

EPISODE 154

UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN: ISAIAH 7-9

If you are looking for some really great reading on how the Bible came to be the Bible and how we can trust its reliability, I recommend The Canon of the Scripture by F.F. Bruce. It is a thorough read and, I think, quite enjoyable. 

It is helpful to understand that there is not only a Hebrew version of the Old Testament but also a Greek version. Understanding that simple reality helps shape our understanding of the Hebrew word "young woman" rendered as "virgin" when quoted by Matthew. Some people will argue that Matthew misquotes Isaiah, but it is a simple misunderstanding. Matthew refers to Greek texts rather than Hebrew ones. 

What is really fascinating is that the New Testament authors and teachers quote from both versions of the Old Testament. There are dozens of ways this plays out across the pages of the Bible, and it will help you better understand the Scripture as a whole. Stephen, in the Book of Acts, is a Greek-speaking Jew. Of course, he references the Greek version of the Old Testament. 

The Greek version was created to make the Scriptures accessible again to the Jews who had long since been carried into captivity. The Hebrew literacy rate had given way to the Greek language, and the faithful God followers felt it imperative to give the Scriptures back to their children and grandchildren who couldn't read the language of their ancestors. 

Pay special attention to the footnotes in your Bible. Often, you will see an apparent discrepancy marked with "LXX says." You will recognize the Roman numerals as the number "seventy." This is because the Greek version of the Old Testament is called the Septuagint and is named after the 70 people who translated it from Hebrew to Greek. So, when the footnote includes the "LXX," it lets you know how the Greek version differs from the Hebrew. 

Being aware that there are two commonly held versions of the Old Testament utilized by the New Testament teachers (including Jesus) gives you a better grasp of the Scripture. Now you can ask, "Does this apparent disagreement in terms have something to do with the Hebrew/Greek difference of the Old Testament?" That right away makes you a better student of the word of God. 

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 1:22-23; Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:8; Matthew 4:15-16; James 1: 27