Biblical Studies and Reviews, Stephen Hackett
Before the Rabbinic Backlash: What Jews Actually Thought of the Septuagint
updated
In this video, we’ll dig deep into the real meaning behind the opening line of Revelation:
📖 What does “shortly come to pass” actually mean?
🔑 What does it mean that the book was “signified”?
⚡ And why understanding these words changes how you read every symbol and prophecy that follows.
We’ll also look at the vital connection between Revelation 1:7, Daniel 7, Isaiah 19, and Matthew 24—and how the “coming of the Son of Man” language reveals Jesus’ vindication and the end of the old covenant order.
If you’ve ever felt lost reading Revelation, this video will help you see how clear and Christ-centered it truly is.
A Note of Thanks:
I’m deeply indebted to many scholars and teachers—some of whom I agree with and some of whom I don’t—for helping me understand these passages more clearly. I take full responsibility for all the views expressed here. Please don’t assume that any organization, church, or individual I’m associated with necessarily shares or should be burdened with any of my mistakes.
Watch next:
📺 When Was Revelation Written? → youtu.be/Bc0hX3m_-pU?si=tWIVFsyntisjeFCe📺 Matthew 24 Explained → youtu.be/t-WBPjzhk3k?si=YfMCK0pEfelZhzy8
📚 Affiliate Link:
If you want to dig deeper into the question of when Revelation was written, this is a book I personally recommend:
👉 The Dating of the Book of Revelation on Amazon (affiliate link — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you) amzn.to/4gUch5j
Exclusive Affiliate links below:
My favorite book on the Septuagint: amzn.to/3Wox9I8
New book on Septuagint: amzn.to/3IUH70X
Septuagint Reader's edition: amzn.to/4nDBuU6
Dr. Robinson walks through the evidence step by step, showing why this objection isn’t as straightforward as it seems. By the end, he turns the question on its head and makes a powerful case for the reliability of the Byzantine methodology.
Whether you’re a student, pastor, or simply curious about how we can trust the Bible we hold today, you’ll find this conversation eye-opening.
👉 Make sure to stay to the end—you won’t want to miss Dr. Robinson’s closing argument.
In this video, we’ll explore:
Why John counts off the days in his opening chapter
How the seven signs correspond to the seven “I AM” sayings
Pilate’s declaration “Behold the Man” on the sixth day
The deeper meaning of Jesus’ words “It is finished”
Why Mary mistaking Jesus for the gardener is more significant than we think
How John 20 echoes Genesis 2 when Jesus breathes on the disciples
I should note: I did not come up with these insights on my own. I’m indebted to the work of several excellent scholars who have traced these themes and shown how John’s Gospel points us to Jesus as the New Adam
While no Father used a 100% Byzantine text before the fourth century, Burgon noted that roughly three out of five quotations in the pre-Constantinian period line up with Byzantine readings. After the legalization of Christianity, as manuscripts became more widely available, the Fathers increasingly reflected a predominantly Byzantine form of the text.
Dr. Robinson also points out the challenges of using patristic evidence: quotations are often from memory, paraphrased, or selectively altered for rhetorical purposes. Still, when viewed collectively, the Church Fathers provide significant support for the stability and wide circulation of Byzantine readings long before the 9th century.
For access to member only video: youtu.be/W_FurSytt20
In this video, we take a deep dive into the Epistle of James to explore whether Jesus' own brother quoted from the Septuagint—the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament—instead of the Hebrew Bible. This isn't just academic trivia. If James used the Septuagint, it may give us powerful insight into the linguistic and spiritual environment of Jesus' home in Nazareth.
We’ll look at direct quotations, allusions, and the Greek language of James himself—comparing key verses to the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Septuagint. From James 4:6 to Isaiah 40, Proverbs 3, and beyond, the evidence adds up.
🕵️♂️ Whether you're a student of Scripture, a Greek geek, or just curious about early Christian use of the Old Testament, this video brings the receipts.
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
youtube.com/channel/UCK13I_he8MsAidC9eDsfT3A/join
My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
youtube.com/channel/UCK13I_he8MsAidC9eDsfT3A/join
My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
James Snapp Jr's article: thetextofthegospels.com/2022/12/glitches-in-christs-genealogy.html
My landing page: https://mailchi.mp/2f83838c05df/biblical-studies-and-reviews
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
Which translation of the Septuagint, or LXX, should you buy? 🤔 This video examines the strengths and weaknesses to consider before you spend your money, and helps you choose the right Septuagint translation for you, so you don't make the wrong choice. Check out the links below!
🎁 Get my FREE Septuagint Buying Guide
👉 https://mailchi.mp/1390de077f8b/best-english-translation-of-the-lxx
🛒 Translations Featured in This Video (Affiliate Links):
• 🧔 Brenton Septuagint: amzn.to/3FMk6vP
• 📘 Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition: amzn.to/3SVXxHU
• 🛐 Orthodox Study Bible (OSB): amzn.to/44aAuyb
• 📖 NETS (New English Translation of the Septuagint): amzn.to/44nCLHs
Lexham 1st Edition: logos.sjv.io/POWd1M
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
#BibleStudy #ActsChapter2 #FaithJourney #shorts
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My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
youtube.com/channel/UCK13I_he8MsAidC9eDsfT3A/join
My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
🎁 Get my FREE Septuagint Buying Guide
👉 https://mailchi.mp/1390de077f8b/best-english-translation-of-the-lxx
🛒 Translations Featured in This Video (Affiliate Links):
• 🧔 Brenton Septuagint: amzn.to/3FMk6vP
• 📘 Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition: amzn.to/3SVXxHU
• 🛐 Orthodox Study Bible (OSB): amzn.to/44aAuyb
• 📖 NETS (New English Translation of the Septuagint): amzn.to/44nCLHs
Lexham 1st Edition: logos.sjv.io/POWd1M
We’ll explore stunning parallels between Solomon’s Temple and the Upper Room, the meaning of Pentecost as a feast, and finally, a mind-blowing connection to the Tower of Babel that ties it all together — a connection hidden in the language of the Septuagint (LXX).
📖 Whether you’re a Bible nerd, pastor, or just hungry for deeper theology, this is one of those chapters you’ll never read the same way again.
👀 Stick around — because the most startling connection is the one almost no one talks about.
Most people assume the King James Version is flawless. But what if even Charles Spurgeon—the “Prince of Preachers”—saw issues with how certain verses were translated?
In this video, we explore a surprising case in Romans 8:24 where Spurgeon publicly questioned the King James rendering, showing how translation choices can shape theology. We dig into the Greek behind the phrase "saved by hope," unpack how English sometimes narrows or expands the meaning, and highlight how interpretive decisions get baked into our Bibles.
Many other passages like that will be considered in this video!
For Beza’s conjecture, see evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2019/12/fact-checking-versional-support-for-ecm.html?m=1
Did angels really deliver the Law of Moses? This shocking biblical thread runs through the New Testament—yet many have never noticed it. In this video, we explore a long-overlooked tradition that connects Stephen’s martyrdom, the writings of Paul, the book of Hebrews, and even the Septuagint.
Along the way, we uncover how ancient Jewish interpretations and early Christian writings open our eyes to this powerful but often forgotten theme. Stay to the end—because that's where the real payoff is.
Friendly heads-up: I use a bit of AI magic to keep to make my appear eyes centered on the camera—so if I look extra focused, it’s probably thanks to the robots.🤖
Not all English Septuagint translations are created equal. In this video, I break down the strengths, weaknesses, and surprising pitfalls of the most popular editions—so you don’t waste time or money.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned scholar, this guide will help you choose the right Septuagint translation for you. For those who dig deeper: apostolicbible.com/text.htm. Some of the links below are affiliate links. Don't make the mistake of buying the wrong Septuagint for YOU!
⚠️ Don't miss the shocking omissions that could mislead your study if you're not careful...
🎁 Get my FREE Septuagint Buying Guide
👉 https://mailchi.mp/1390de077f8b/best-english-translation-of-the-lxx
🛒 Translations Featured in This Video (Affiliate Links):
• 🧔 Brenton Septuagint: amzn.to/3FMk6vP
• 📘 Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition: amzn.to/3SVXxHU
• 🛐 Orthodox Study Bible (OSB): amzn.to/44aAuyb
• 📖 NETS (New English Translation of the Septuagint): amzn.to/44nCLHs
Lexham 1st Edition: logos.sjv.io/POWd1M
****Correction: I said that the translators started with the NKJV as their base text for Orthodox Study Bible. One of the translators corrected me on this.
Here is the precise statement from the preface: “The contributors used the Alfred Rahlfs edition of the Greek text as the basis for the English translation. To this base they brought two additional major sources. The first is the Brenton text, a British translation of the Greek Old Testament, published in 1851. The availability of this work, and the respect accorded it, made it an obvious choice as a source document. Secondly, Thomas Nelson Publishers granted use of the Old Testament text of the New King James Version in the places where the English translation of the LXX would match that of the Masoretic (Hebrew) text. The development team at St. Athanasius Academy care- fully studied these sources, along with other documents, to produce an English Old Testament text suitable for the project.”
So it was unfair of me to say they started with the Hebrew text.
*******
Friendly heads-up: I use a bit of AI magic to keep to make my appear eyes centered on the camera—so if I look extra focused, it’s probably thanks to the robots.🤖
Have you ever flipped back to the Old Testament after reading a quote in the New Testament… only to find the verse doesn't match?
In this video, I explore ten powerful examples where the New Testament aligns with the Septuagint (LXX)-the ancient Greek Old Testament-but differs from the Hebrew Masoretic Text used in most modern Bibles. What's more, many of these verses are also backed by the Dead Sea Scrolls, Old Latin, or Syriac traditions, forming what I call a "threefold cord."
🔎 Along the way, you'll take a quiz to test your Old Testament knowledge-and maybe walk away seeing Scripture in a whole new light.
Scribal Slips: amzn.to/4kugfSt
Friendly heads-up: I use a bit of AI magic to keep to make my appear eyes centered on the camera—so if I look extra focused, it’s probably thanks to the robots.🤖
In this in-depth interview, I sit down with Dr. William Ross, a leading Septuagint scholar, to explore the history, significance, and controversies surrounding the Greek Old Testament—the Septuagint (LXX).
We tackle some of the biggest questions and conspiracy theories:
Did Paul and Jesus use the LXX?
Did the LXX even exist before Christ?
Did Origen create or corrupt it?
Can we trust the surviving manuscripts?
Whether you're new to the Septuagint or a seasoned student of Scripture, this interview will challenge assumptions and clarify the historical evidence. Stick around for the bonus clip at the end—and if you make it all the way through, comment “Digging Deeper” to let us know you're serious about Scripture.
Affilate links to books by Dr. Ross:
Septuagint What it is and Why it Matters: amzn.to/3YpaWLO
Reader's edition to the Septuagint: amzn.to/4jZ8m7l
📚 Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to the Interview
00:49 – Meet Dr. William Ross
02:21 – Defining the Septuagint (LXX)
04:19 – Conspiracy Theories and the LXX
04:41 – Did the Septuagint Exist Before Christ?
07:56 – Did Paul Use Greek Translations?
15:52 – Did Jesus Use the Septuagint?
18:27 – New Testament Citations of the LXX
21:28 – Upcoming Book: The Authority of the Septuagint
23:18 – Introducing Origen and the Hexapla
23:28 – Debunking the “Origen Created the LXX” Myth
24:34 – Origen’s Hexapla Project Explained
27:30 – How Origen’s Work Influenced the Text
29:00 – Surviving Manuscripts and Their Analysis
30:22 – Codex Influence: Vaticanus, Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus
36:40 – Did Christians Corrupt the Septuagint to Match the NT?
47:03 – Final Thoughts and Bonus Clip Invitation
In this video, we dive deep into the textual differences, explore what Luke’s genealogy tells us, and ask whether someone deliberately changed the biblical timeline. Is the LXX preserving the original numbers? Or did later scribes inflate the ages? And how does this impact young-earth creationists, biblical chronology, and the authority of Scripture?
We’ll look at:
What the genealogies actually say
Why Luke includes Cainan (and the MT doesn’t)
Whether the Dead Sea Scrolls can help
Who changed what—and when
Why this matters more than you might think
🔔 Subscribe for more videos on biblical studies, textual criticism, and theology.
My eyes appear perfectly centered in this video thanks to app called Descript. In real life, I’m easily distracted by squirrels… and snack shelves.
Get yours here: resurrectionrebinding.com
In this eye-opening video, we explore the shocking differences between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the standard Hebrew Bible used today—known as the Masoretic Text. While many believe the Bible has remained unchanged, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 revealed ancient copies of Scripture over 1,000 years older than our modern Hebrew texts.
We’re not here to stir controversy—we’re here to explore what the scrolls actually say, and how they compare to the Bibles sitting in our pews. From missing verses to messianic prophecies, and from different names for God’s people to variant readings of iconic stories, this deep dive will challenge assumptions and spark thoughtful reflection.
✅ Includes real examples from Isaiah, Deuteronomy, Psalms, 1 Samuel, and more
✅ Learn what makes the Great Isaiah Scroll so important
✅ Understand the significance of ancient Hebrew scribes and how they shaped our Bibles
✅ No sensationalism—just honest exploration
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment with your thoughts or questions!
ERROR: I mistakenly said that the Dead Sea Scrolls read "fruit of the lips". There Dead Sea Scrolls could be read either way here.
Rebuttal concernign Goliath’s height: drbarrick.org/files/studynotes/Other/Goliaths_Height.pdf
#DeadSeaScrolls #HebrewBible #BiblicalText #MasoreticText #BibleHistory #BibleStudy
You might think you know the answer—but I promise, this one will surprise you. In this video, I reveal a translation that stays remarkably close to the original Greek, and it’s one that most people have never even heard of. But is a strictly literal translation always the best choice? And what are the trade-offs?
Stick around until the end, because I’ll also introduce you to another must-have resource that will be a game-changer if you're interested in textual variants and manuscript evidence.
If you care about accuracy and want to dig deeper into textual criticism, you won’t want to miss this!
Affiliate links:
American Standard Version: Byzantine Text: amzn.to/41CuWLu
2nd Resource: amzn.to/3XG7vzN
If I could only take three English Bible translations to a desert island, these are the ones I’d choose—and if you could only have three, these are the ones I’d recommend.
In this video, I reveal my top three picks for English Bible translations that provide the clearest and most accurate understanding of Scripture. As an instructor of biblical Greek, I’m passionate about how the original texts are conveyed in English. With over 900 translations available, I highlight the unique strengths of my personal favorites, balancing classic and modern versions.
I also explore the challenges of translating ancient languages into English and why no translation can fully capture every nuance. Stick around until the end, where I share valuable resources for those who want to go deeper into biblical Greek and enrich their study of the Bible.
Stay to the end, where I’ll reveal a shocking historical account that mirrors Revelation’s imagery in ways you might not expect.
🔔 Subscribe for more biblical insights!
#Revelation #BibleStudy #EarlyDate #BiblicalProphecy #Theology
Are you ready to uncover some of the most surprising differences between the Septuagint (LXX) and the Masoretic Text (MT)? These two ancient texts have shaped biblical history, and the variations between them might just change the way you see key passages in Scripture.
In this video, we’ll explore:
✅ Textual Variations that reveal unexpected shifts in meaning
✅ Differences in Numbers, Phrases, and Names that challenge common assumptions
✅ Books and Passages Found in One Text but Missing in the Other
✅ Manuscript Evidence that connects with early Christian writings
✅ Shocking Differences in Biblical Genealogies and Prophecies
💡 Why This Matters:
These differences affect how we understand biblical history, theological concepts, and even New Testament references. You’ll see how early communities engaged with Scripture and how these texts have evolved over time.
🎯 Think You Know the Bible?
Put your knowledge to the test with our interactive quiz throughout the video! We’ve included fun multiple-choice and true/false questions to keep things engaging—see if you can get them all right!
✍️ Plus, we’ll share a powerful quote from an early church father reflecting on the manuscript differences he encountered in his time.
👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more content on biblical studies, textual criticism, and ancient manuscripts!
Mistake:
I forgot to mention the fourth quiz question:
Which section of the Old Testament was translated first into Greek?a) Psalmsb) Prophetsc) Pentateuch (Torah)d) Historical Books
Answer: Look at pinned comment.
#Septuagint #MasoreticText #BiblicalStudies #TextualCriticism #BibleTranslation #LXX #OldTestament #HebrewBible #Theology #ScriptureDifferences
The first one will take you back to the time of John the Baptist, a man who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah but later sent a surprising question: “Are you the one, or should we look for another?” What was Jesus’ answer really saying, and how does a scroll discovered in Qumran completely change the way we see that moment?
And that’s just the beginning. We’ll explore whether John had deeper ties to the Essenes—the group behind these scrolls—and uncover their strict practices that make the Pharisees look lenient. We’ll also dive into how the scrolls confirm, challenge, and even enrich our understanding of Scripture.
But make sure you stick around for the fifth point because it touches on a debate that could change how we think about the Reformation itself. It’s a revelation that sent modern scholars back to the drawing board.
What do these scrolls reveal about Christianity? Let’s dig in together.
Some clarifications. Read this after you watch the video so I don't spoil anything:
I made a blunder at the beginning of the video. On the first point I should have said Elhanan rather than Jaareoregim. Jaareoregim was his father which is clear from the text. The Geneva Bible’s main text sounds like Elhanan killed Goliath.
One other clarification. John 11:35 still might be the shortest verse in the Geneva Bible depending on how you count. If you count by number of words, its not the shortest.
The Alternate is only $29 dollars right now BUT watch the video to make sure you can live with the downsides to this great alternate: amzn.to/4iPl8G0
Let's stay in touch: https://mailchi.mp/2f83838c05df/biblical-studies-and-reviews
My name is Stephen Hackett and the goal of this channel is to help enrich your bible studies. I strive to do this by giving sharing with you things from the scriptures and offering reviews of books and tools that might be useful to you on your journey.
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In this video, we'll explore standout examples that illuminate this pattern, including a variant in 1 Samuel 1:24 that changed how I've viewed a familiar verse for years. We'll also dive into fascinating details from Isaiah 49:17 and Hosea 14:2, showing how the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Septuagint often converge against the Masoretic Text, sometimes in ways that modern translations reflect.
Stay with me as I reveal the entire list of alignments and share how you can download it for FREE. These variants might seem small, but they collectively point to something big. Let's dive in and uncover the hidden gems in the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls!
Helpful book on the LXX: amzn.to/4eRFcVS
Video on Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint: youtu.be/GPNLJdgfrfE
To find out which is more reliable the Hebrew Bible or LXX click here: youtu.be/-lfYfPM5Ulg?si=6LxQahpy4lVaUYZy
If you have already signed up for my mailing list you will find a link for the document mentioned in my video in your inbox.
My landing page: https://mailchi.mp/2f83838c05df/biblical-studies-and-reviews
Correction – Hosea 14:2 (DSS evidence)
In this video, I stated that the Dead Sea Scrolls support the Septuagint’s “fruit of lips” reading in Hosea 14:2. My source (I thought!) for that was The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible (Brannan & Loken), which says:
The Hebrew reads “bulls” in place of “fruit,” with the resultant idea, “we will offer our lips as [sacrificial] bulls,” the reading supported by the DSS, LXX, and Syr.
This comment seems confused. The Syriac and the LXX support “fruit,” not “bulls.” After further investigation, I found that we have only one DSS manuscript covering this passage—4Q78 (4QXIIᶜ)—and it is slightly defective at this exact point. The preserved consonants match the Masoretic פרים (“bulls/calves”), but because DSS manuscripts lack vowel points, it could, in theory, be read as פְּרִים (“fruit”) with the final ם functioning as an archaic Canaanite enclitic mem rather than a plural ending. This is the understanding reflected in the LXX (καρπὸν χειλέων) and Syriac. However, the scroll itself does not clearly preserve “fruit,” so my original statement overstated the evidence.
For an example of the scholarly discussion on the enclitic mem and the “fruit” reading, see Hans Walter Wolff, Hosea: A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Hosea (Hermeneia; Fortress Press, 1974), on Hosea 14:2.
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