Joshua 3 — Hebrew and Greek compared
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.
Joshua 3
The Jordan opens: baptism into Christ
Published liturgical anchor: the Byzantine Theophany Eve reading selects 3:7–8, 15–17 [L1]. Cyril connects Joshua’s beginning at the Jordan with Christ’s baptism and Gospel ministry [CYR, §11].
3:1–6 | Consecration before the crossing
Editorial preparation for the Theophany reading.
Verse MT 3:1 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:1
Joshua rose early in the morning. He and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, where they lodged before crossing.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:1
Joshua rose early in the morning. They set out from Shittim, came to the Jordan, and lodged there before crossing.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek leaves the travelling party implicit; Hebrew expressly includes all the sons of Israel.
Verse MT 3:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:2
At the end of three days, the officers passed through the camp
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:2
After three days, the scribes passed through the camp
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The same interval and administrative action are recorded.
Verse MT 3:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:3
and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of YHWH your God, with the Levitical priests carrying it, set out from your place and follow it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:3
and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord our God, with our priests and the Levites carrying it, set out from your places and follow it.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew “the Levitical priests” becomes Greek “our priests and the Levites”; your God / our God also differs.
Verse MT 3:4 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:4
But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and it. Do not approach it, so that you may know the way to go, for you have not passed this way before.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:4
But let there be a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and it. Keep your position; do not approach it, so that you may know the way you are going, for you have not travelled this way before.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly adds “keep your position.” Both preserve the distance in cubits and the unfamiliar route.
Verse MT 3:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:5
Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow YHWH will do wonders among you.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:5
Joshua said to the people, “Purify yourselves for tomorrow, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Consecration / purification reflects the respective verbs; Greek repeats “tomorrow.”
Verse MT 3:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:6
Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the ark of the covenant and cross ahead of the people.” They lifted up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:6
Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and go ahead of the people.” The priests lifted up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and went before the people.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly supplies “of the Lord” and the priests as subject; the action corresponds.
3:7–8 | The promise at the water’s edge
L1 • Theophany Eve, Vespers, fourth reading: first selection, 3:7–8.
Verse MT 3:7 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:7
YHWH said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so that they may know that, as I was with Moses, I will be with you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:7
The Lord said to Joshua, “On this day I begin to exalt you before all the sons of Israel, so that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will also be with you.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The promise of Joshua’s public vindication and divine presence corresponds.
Saints: Cyril links Joshua’s beginning at the Jordan with Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of Gospel proclamation [CYR, §11]. Theophany Eve uses this verse with 3:8, 15–17 [L1].
Verse MT 3:8 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:8
You shall command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, stand in the Jordan.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:8
Now command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: ‘When you enter the edge of the Jordan’s water, stand in the Jordan.’”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both command the ark-bearers to stand in the river.
3:9–14 | The living God goes before His people
Editorial bridge; these verses are outside L1’s stated selection.
Verse MT 3:9 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:9
Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “Come here and hear the words of YHWH your God.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:9
Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “Come here and hear the word of the Lord our God.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Words / word and your / our differ without changing the summons.
Verse MT 3:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:10
Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you and will surely dispossess before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:10
“By this you shall know that the living God is among you and will surely destroy before us the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, Amorites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew stresses dispossession; Greek destruction. The same seven peoples occur in a different order; Greek says “before us.”
Verse MT 3:11 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:11
Look, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing ahead of you into the Jordan.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:11
Look, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing the Jordan.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks “ahead of you.” Hebrew uses adon, “Lord,” here, not the divine name YHWH.
Verse MT 3:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:12
Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man from each tribe.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:12
Choose twelve men from the sons of Israel, one from each tribe.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The representative selection corresponds.
Verse MT 3:13 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:13
When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the ark of YHWH, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the Jordan’s waters, the Jordan’s waters shall be cut off. The waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:13
When the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth rest in the Jordan’s water, the Jordan’s water shall fail, and the water coming down shall stand.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks the explicit one-heap description here and includes “covenant” in the ark’s title.
Verse MT 3:14 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:14
When the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of the people.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:14
The people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan, and the priests lifted up the ark of the covenant of the Lord ahead of the people.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek narrates lifting the ark; both place its bearers ahead of the people.
3:15–17 | The people cross on dry ground
L1 • Theophany Eve, Vespers, fourth reading: concluding selection, 3:15–17.
Verse MT 3:15 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:15
As the bearers of the ark reached the Jordan, the feet of the priests carrying it were dipped into the edge of the water. The Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the harvest season.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:15
As the priests carrying the ark of the covenant entered the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord dipped into the edge of the Jordan’s water—the Jordan was overflowing its whole bank, as in the days of wheat harvest—
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek specifies wheat harvest; Hebrew speaks of harvest generally. The Greek sentence continues in verse 16.
Verse MT 3:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:16
The waters coming down from above stood, rising in one heap very far away at Adam, the city beside Zarethan. Those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. The people crossed opposite Jericho.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:16
the waters coming down from above stood. One mass stood exceedingly far away, as far as the region of Kiriath-jearim. The water flowing down descended into the Sea of Arabah, the Salt Sea, until it failed completely. The people stood opposite Jericho.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Adam beside Zarethan / Kiriath-jearim is a substantive geographical difference. Hebrew says the people crossed here; Greek says they stood, then describes crossing in verse 17.
Verse MT 3:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:17
The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of YHWH stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed on dry ground until the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:17
The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All the sons of Israel crossed on dry ground until the whole people had finished crossing the Jordan.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both describe the complete crossing on dry ground while the priests remain in the river.