Hopefully by now you have all read the files I posted to prep for this topic. If not, you still have a little time before I pick the first passage we’ll look at. I will be posting excerpts during the discussion from Beale and Carson’s (eds) Commentary on the Use of the OT in the NT — a resource you should all have. Here is the introduction to that volume to read before the next post (more homework). I don’t want to be constantly reminding people to be familiar with the background issues, so please read this.
One more item. I can’t decide which passage to start with. I have a few candidates, but I thought I’d take suggestions. Some of my hesitation stems from not knowing who can follow Greek and Hebrew (in transliteration or otherwise). Some of these passages are gnarly. Let me know any preferences.
A few suggestions of subjects, not verses specifically, since I am not that smart. Not knowing Hebrew, for me, short and simple is better. But I realize many people on the blog are not in this category.
Jeremiah “The LXX is 2,700 words shorter than the MT…confirms the existence of a shorter Hebrew text-form”…MT short (older) and MT long (newer), it was never explained what was added, by whom, and why. Was the long MT version an issue for the LXX writers? Or maybe the difference is not significant.
Nice to get info on verses that apply to the following:
“How is the OT quotation or source handled in the literature of Second Temple Judaism… sometimes show that Jewish authorities were themselves divided as to how certain OT passages should be interpreted”.
“is the NT writer claiming that some event or other is the fulfillment of an OT prophecy”.
“it is very common for NT writers to apply an OT passage that refers to YHWH… to Jesus”.
The first of these (the Jeremiah problem) really isn’t a citation issue. It’s more of a general text-critical issue. And yes, NT writers do substitute Jesus or “kurios” (Lord – the NT title for Jesus) for YHWH verses. We’ll look at some. Good idea.
I vote Heb 2:6-8 Vs. Psalm 8:4-6 – Elohim/Heavenly Beings to simply Angels in the NT?
Very interesting!
How about looking into some of the following ones:
Matthew 2:15: ….Out of Egypt I called my son.
John 19:36:….Not one of his bones will be broken.
John 19:37:….They will look on him whom they have pierced.
Acts 1:20:…Let another take his office
Acts 2:1721
Hello Dr. Heiser
Re: With what passage to begin this series.
The OT quotes, both in terms of application to Jesus and choice of version (MT, LXX, etc.), in Matthew’s gospel have always intrigued me. Perhaps one of those?
Just my 2 cnets.
Dave
Southern California
Sorry, “cents”
I can follow both Greek and Hebrew, transliterated or otherwise, however, I prefer the original Hebrew, transliterated for an easier read for a good readthrough the first time (and later, hashing out the nitty-gritty), and in quoting the LXX when it differs in a (pre-supposed or otherwise) meaning substantially or clarifies an obscure Hebrew reference.
As to which passage to start with, my personal preference is always the earliest verse, since more often than not, it is a necessity and “builiding block” so to speak, in understanding later verses. And by the way, the more gnarly, the better…it’s good to push and stretch oneself in understanding why we believe what we believe.
Hope this helps,
Jenn