1 Samuel 12 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 12:15
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
1 Samuel 12
The faithful witness and the demand for obedience
Editorial Christian reading: Samuel’s accounting and warning invite examination of conduct under Christ’s call to hear and act [NT5, Luke 6:46–49].
12:1–5 | Samuel’s public account
Verse MT 12:1 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:1
Samuel said to all Israel, “Look, I have listened to your voice in everything you said to me, and I have made a king reign over you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:1
Samuel said to every man of Israel, “Look, I have listened to your voice in everything you said to me, and I have made a king reign over you.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly addresses every man; Hebrew all Israel. The acknowledgment agrees.
Verse MT 12:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:2
Now the king walks before you. I have grown old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:2
Now the king walks before you. I have grown old and will sit down, and my sons are here among you. I have walked before you from my youth to this day.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has being gray-haired; Greek has sitting down. Both retain the comparison of Samuel’s public life with the king’s present role.
Verse MT 12:3 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:3
Here I am. Testify against me before YHWH and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a payment to blind my eyes with it? I will restore it to you.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:3
Here I am. Answer against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose calf have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Which of you have I tyrannized? Whom have I squeezed? From whose hand have I taken an appeasing payment and a sandal? Answer against me, and I will repay you.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek has a sandal and a repeated challenge where Hebrew speaks of blinding the eyes with a payment. The animal terms and oppression verbs differ. “His anointed” refers contextually to Saul; Greek christos is not replaced with Jesus’ personal title here.
Verse MT 12:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:4
They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us, and you have taken nothing from anyone’s hand.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:4
They said to Samuel, “You have not wronged us or tyrannized us or crushed us, and you have taken nothing from anyone’s hand.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek names Samuel and gives three verbs of mistreatment; Hebrew gives two. Both deny improper taking.
Verse MT 12:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:5
He said to them, “YHWH is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have found nothing in my hand.” He said, “Witness.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:5
Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness among you, and His anointed is witness today, on this day, that you have found nothing in my hand.” They said, “Witness.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s final reply is singular with no named speaker; Greek’s is plural. The terse acknowledgment is retained, without assigning Hebrew’s reply to a named person. Greek repeats the day expression.
12:6–15 | God’s saving acts and the present choice
Verse MT 12:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:6
Samuel said to the people, “It was YHWH who made Moses and Aaron what they were and brought your fathers up from Egypt’s land.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:6
Samuel said to the people, “The Lord is witness, He who made Moses and Aaron what they were and brought our fathers up from Egypt.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly repeats witness and says our fathers; Hebrew says your fathers. “Made … what they were” renders the making verb in its leadership context without claiming bodily creation or inserting a specific ordination rite.
Verse MT 12:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:7
Now take your stand, and I will plead with you before YHWH concerning all YHWH’s righteous deeds that He did for you and your fathers.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:7
Now take your stand, and I will judge you before the Lord and report to you all the Lord’s righteousness that He worked among you and your fathers.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly adds reporting and uses singular righteousness; Hebrew has plural righteous deeds and a judicial reckoning with the hearers.
Verse MT 12:8 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:8
When Jacob came to Egypt, your fathers cried to YHWH. YHWH sent Moses and Aaron, and they brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:8
When Jacob and his sons entered Egypt, Egypt humbled them. Our fathers cried to the Lord, and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron. He brought our fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds Jacob’s sons and Egypt’s oppression, says our rather than your fathers, and makes the bringing out and settling singular actions. Hebrew has plural agents after naming Moses and Aaron; that wording is not rewritten to fit later narrative chronology.
Verse MT 12:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:9
They forgot YHWH their God, and He sold them into the hand of Sisera, Hazor’s army commander, into the Philistines’ hand, and into the hand of Moab’s king, who fought against them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:9
They forgot the Lord their God, and He sold them into the hands of Sisera, commander-in-chief of Jabin king of Hazor, into the foreigners’ hands, and into the hands of Moab’s king, who fought against them.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly names Jabin king of Hazor; Hebrew identifies Sisera by Hazor’s army. The enemies’ war against Israel agrees.
Verse MT 12:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:10
They cried to YHWH and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken YHWH and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. Now rescue us from our enemies’ hand, and we will serve You.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:10
They cried to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the Lord and served the Baalim and the groves. Now rescue us from our enemies’ hand, and we will serve You.’
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names Ashtaroth; Greek names cultic groves. The confession and promise otherwise agree.
Verse MT 12:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:11
YHWH sent Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel. He rescued you from your enemies’ hand all around, and you lived securely.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:11
The Lord sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel. He rescued you from your enemies’ hand all around, and you lived confidently.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names Bedan; Greek names Barak. Bedan is retained without identifying him as another judge. Both displayed texts include Samuel in Samuel’s speech.
Verse MT 12:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:12
When you saw Nahash, king of Ammon’s sons, coming against you, you said to me, ‘No! A king must reign over us,’ although YHWH your God was your king.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:12
When you saw Nahash, king of Ammon’s sons, coming against you, you said, ‘No! A king must reign over us,’ although the Lord our God was our king.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has your God/your king and explicitly says to me; Greek has our God/our king and no specified addressee. The reference to Nahash is preserved without rearranging chapters 8–11.
Verse MT 12:13 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:13
Now here is the king you chose and asked for. Look, YHWH has placed a king over you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:13
Now here is the king you chose. Look, the Lord has placed a king over you.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew explicitly includes asked for; Greek omits that phrase.
Verse MT 12:14 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:14
If you fear YHWH, serve Him, listen to His voice, and do not rebel against YHWH’s mouth, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow YHWH your God—
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:14
If you fear the Lord, serve Him, listen to His voice, and do not contend against the Lord’s mouth, and if both you and the king who reigns over you go after the Lord—
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The mouth image is retained for divine command. Hebrew names your God at the end; Greek does not. Both conditionals can be construed in more than one way; this rendering leaves the favorable consequence unstated rather than inventing “all will be well.”
Verse MT 12:15 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:15
But if you do not listen to YHWH’s voice and rebel against YHWH’s mouth, YHWH’s hand will be against you and your fathers.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:15
But if you do not listen to the Lord’s voice and contend against the Lord’s mouth, the Lord’s hand will be against you and your king.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: The threatened second party is your fathers in the displayed Hebrew and your king in Greek. Hebrew is not altered to “as against your fathers” or silently replaced by the Greek reading.
Intercession and the call to remain faithful
Editorial Christian reading: Samuel’s prayer belongs to the prophetic ministry remembered in Hebrews 11:32 [NT2]. The people are warned without being abandoned.
12:16–19 | Thunder, rain, and the people’s fear
Verse MT 12:16 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:16
Now stand and see this great thing that YHWH is doing before your eyes.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:16
Now stand and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew presents the action as being done; Greek gives a future. Both announce the visible sign.
Verse MT 12:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:17
Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call to YHWH, and He will send thunder and rain. Know and see that the evil you have done in YHWH’s eyes by asking a king for yourselves is great.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:17
Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain. Know and see that the evil you have done before the Lord by asking a king for yourselves is great.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both use voices or sounds for thunder in context. Hebrew retains the eye image; Greek says before the Lord.
Verse MT 12:18 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:18
Samuel called to YHWH, and YHWH sent thunder and rain that day. All the people greatly feared YHWH and Samuel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:18
Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. All the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The sign and both objects of the people’s fear agree, with the divine-name correspondence visible.
Verse MT 12:19 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:19
All the people said to Samuel, “Pray to YHWH your God for your servants, so that we do not die. We have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:19
All the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the Lord your God for your servants, and we will certainly not die. We have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew gives a plea not to die; Greek expresses an emphatic negative outcome after the requested prayer. The servant address marks the speakers’ deference without establishing legal status.
12:20–25 | Samuel promises prayer and instruction
Verse MT 12:20 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:20
Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this evil, but do not turn aside from following YHWH. Serve YHWH with all your heart.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:20
Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this evil, but do not turn aside from following the Lord. Serve the Lord with all your heart.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The acknowledgment of evil and call to wholehearted service agree.
Verse MT 12:21 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:21
Do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or rescue, for they are emptiness.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:21
Do not turn aside after things that are nothing, which accomplish nothing and cannot rescue, for they are nothing.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew tohu, emptiness, and Greek expressions for nonbeing both characterize powerless objects of devotion. The English does not replace either with a specific idol name.
Verse MT 12:22 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:22
YHWH will not abandon His people for His great name’s sake, because YHWH was pleased to make you His people.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:22
The Lord will not reject His people for His great name’s sake, because the Lord graciously took you to Himself as a people.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew speaks of willingness to make them a people; Greek of graciously receiving them. Both ground the promise in His name and commitment to His people.
Verse MT 12:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:23
As for me, far be it from me to sin against YHWH by ceasing to pray for you. I will instruct you in the good and upright way.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:23
As for me, may I never sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will serve the Lord and show you the good and straight way.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek adds Samuel’s explicit promise to serve the Lord. Both retain intercession and instruction rather than presenting retirement as the end of his responsibility.
Verse MT 12:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:24
Only fear YHWH and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. Consider how greatly He has acted for you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:24
Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth and with all your heart, for you have seen how greatly He has acted for you.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew commands consideration; Greek refers to what the hearers have seen. The service language agrees closely.
Verse MT 12:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 12:25
But if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 12:25
But if you wickedly do evil, both you and your king will be added.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek’s final passive “will be added” is retained as an elliptical death or removal expression, with its missing complement left unstated. Hebrew directly names being swept away. The Greek’s precise idiomatic force remains provisional.