Texts in Conversation
In Isaiah 9, the child is given titles like “Mighty God”, “Everlasting Father,” and “Prince of Peace.” The Greek Septuagint translation, perhaps theologically motivated, changes these to a single title, “Angel of Great Counsel.”
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Isaiah 9:6
Hebrew Bible
4 For their oppressive yoke and the club that strikes their shoulders, the cudgel the oppressor uses on them, you have shattered, as in the day of Midian’s defeat. 5 Indeed every boot that marches and shakes the earth and every garment dragged through blood is used as fuel for the fire. 6 For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called Wonderful Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His dominion will be vast, and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will accomplish this. 8 The Lord decreed judgment on Jacob, and it fell on Israel.
Date: 740–450 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
LXX Isaiah 9:5
Septuagint
3 Because the yoke that was laid upon them has been taken away, and the rod that was on their neck: for the Lord has broken the rod of the exactors, as in the day of Midian. 4 For they shall compensate for every garment that has been acquired by deceit, and all clothing with restitution; and they shall be willing, even if they were burnt with fire. 5 For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Angel of great counsel: for I will bring peace upon the princes, peace and health to him. 6 His government shall be great, and of his peace there is no end: it shall be upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to support it with righteousness and with judgment, from now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this. 7 The Lord has sent death upon Jacob, and it has come upon Israel.
Date: 100–1 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... In stark contrast to the Masoretic text and 1QIsaa, the LXX only ascribes one name to the son: Μεγάλης βουλῆς ἄγγελος (“Messenger of Great Counsel” or “Angel of Great Counsel”) (Isaiah 9:5). The son’s rule will be great and peaceful (Isaiah 9:7). David’s kingdom will be established with justice and righteousness forevermore (Isaiah 9:7). God will work through the Davidic son’s reign (Isaiah 9:7) ..."
Christopher Winchester, “Thematic Association in the Gospel of Matthew: Situating Exegesis in the Gospel of Matthew in Its Second Temple Context” (PhD diss., University of Edinburgh, 2017), 230.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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