Texts in Conversation
In Deuteronomy 33, a blessing for Joseph mentions one who “lived in the bush,” describing God’s presence that contrasts with Deuteronomy’s usual view of God in heaven. The Greek Septuagint changes this to say God was “seen” in the bush to harmonize it.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Deuteronomy 33:16
Hebrew Bible
15 with the best of the ancient mountains and the harvest produced by the age-old hills; 16 with the harvest of the earth and its fullness and the pleasure of him who resided in the burning bush. May blessing rest on Joseph’s head, and on the top of the head of the one set apart from his brothers. 17 May the firstborn of his bull bring him honor, and may his horns be those of a wild ox; with them may he gore all peoples, all the far reaches of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.”
Date: 6th century BCE (final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
LXX Deuteronomy 33:16
Septuagint
15 from the top of the ancient mountains, and from the top of the everlasting hills, 16 and of the fullness of the land in season: and let the things pleasing to him who appeared in the bush come on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of him who was glorified above his brothers. 17 His beauty is as the firstling of his bull, his horns are the horns of a unicorn; with them he shall thrust the nations at once, even from the end of the earth: these are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasse.
Date: 3rd century BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... In the Masoretic text of Deuteronomy 33:16, it is mentioned that the grace of God “who dwells in the bush” should come to Joseph. The translator has used ὀφθῆναι ('to be seen'). Maybe he wanted to suggest links to Exodus 3:2. In any case, the Masoretic text at Deuteronomy 33:16 contradicts everything ever said in Deuteronomy about God’s dwelling in heaven, his presence in Israel, and the nature of this presence ..."
* 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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