Judges 3 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 3:1, MT 3:19
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.
Judges 3
Deliverance amid weakness: faith directed toward Christ
Editorial Christian reading: the recurring cry and rescue can be read with God’s power in weakness in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Deliverer and savior remain titles of the narrative’s human agents where their grammar requires.
3:1–6 | The nations and the test of obedience
Verse MT 3:1 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:1
These are the nations YHWH left to test Israel through them—all those who had not known any of the wars of Canaan—
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:1
These are the nations Joshua left to test Israel through them—all those who had not known any of the wars of Canaan—
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: The one leaving the nations is YHWH in Hebrew and Joshua in Greek.
Verse MT 3:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:2
only so that the generations of the sons of Israel might know warfare, to teach it to those who had not known it before:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:2
only for the sake of the generations of the sons of Israel, to teach them warfare; only those before them had not known these things:
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew describes those previously unfamiliar with warfare; Greek’s compressed wording refers to those before them. The awkward temporal distinction is retained.
Verse MT 3:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:3
the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites dwelling on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:3
the five satrapies of the foreigners, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites dwelling in Lebanon, from Mount Balaermon to Loboemath.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew lords becomes Greek satrapies, districts of rule. Greek allophyloi, foreigners, designates the Philistines in this setting.
Verse MT 3:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:4
They remained to test Israel through them, to know whether they would obey YHWH’s commandments that He commanded their fathers through Moses.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:4
This was to test Israel through them, to know whether they would obey the Lord’s commandments that He commanded their fathers through Moses.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The test concerns obedience to the Mosaic commandments in both.
Verse MT 3:5 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:5
The sons of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:5
The sons of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The six peoples correspond.
Verse MT 3:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:6
They took their daughters as wives for themselves, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:6
They took their daughters as wives for themselves, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both connect intermarriage with service of the other peoples’ gods.
3:7–11 | Othniel and the first deliverance
Verse MT 3:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:7
The sons of Israel did evil in YHWH’s eyes, forgot YHWH their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:7
The sons of Israel did evil before the Lord, forgot the Lord their God, and served the Baalim and the groves.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek alsē, groves, stands beside Hebrew Asheroth. The cultic expressions are retained independently.
Verse MT 3:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:8
YHWH’s anger burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim. The sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim for eight years.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:8
The Lord grew furious with Israel and sold them into the hands of Chousarsathom king of Syria of the Rivers. They served him for eight years.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The source-specific royal and regional names are displayed; the sale and eight-year duration agree.
Verse MT 3:9 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:9
The sons of Israel cried out to YHWH, and YHWH raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel, who saved them: Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:9
The sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. The Lord raised up a savior for Israel and saved them: Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. And he heard him.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds hearing him; the final he and him have compressed, uncertain referents, so capitalization does not resolve them. Both identify the deliverer; Greek’s preceding saving clause naturally retains the Lord as subject.
Verse MT 3:10 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:10
The Spirit of YHWH came upon him. He judged Israel and went out to war. YHWH gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into his hand, and his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:10
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him. He judged Israel and went out to war. The Lord handed Chousarsathom king of Syria into his hand, and his hand became strong against Chousarsathom.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The Spirit, judging, battle, and victory correspond despite the royal name’s different form.
Verse MT 3:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:11
The land was quiet for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:11
The land was quiet for fifty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The period is forty years in Hebrew and fifty in the selected Greek text.
3:12–18 | Ehud’s commission and tribute
Verse MT 3:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:12
The sons of Israel again did evil in YHWH’s eyes. YHWH strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel because they had done evil in YHWH’s eyes.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:12
The sons of Israel again did evil before the Lord. The Lord strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel because they had done evil before the Lord.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The causal account agrees; The familiar English royal name is used in both columns.
Verse MT 3:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:13
He gathered the sons of Ammon and Amalek to himself, went and struck Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:13
He brought all the sons of Ammon and Amalek to himself, went and struck Israel, and took possession of the City of Palms.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew ends with plural possessors; Greek retains the singular subject and explicitly adds all.
Verse MT 3:14 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:14
The sons of Israel served Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:14
The sons of Israel served Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The subjection and its duration agree.
Verse MT 3:15 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:15
The sons of Israel cried out to YHWH, and YHWH raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a man restricted in his right hand. Through him the sons of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:15
The sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. The Lord raised up a savior for them: Ehud son of Gera, son of Jemeni, a man skilled with both hands. Through him the sons of Israel sent gifts to Eglon king of Moab.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew right-hand restriction describes Ehud’s left-handedness; Greek explicitly has ambidexterity. The compressed Benjaminite designation is treated as descent through Jemeni in Greek.
Verse MT 3:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:16
Ehud made himself a sword with two edges, a gomed long, and strapped it beneath his clothes upon his right thigh.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:16
Ehud made himself a double-edged dagger, a span long, and strapped it beneath his cloak upon his right thigh.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The rare Hebrew length gomed is retained without a fixed modern equivalent; Greek specifies a span. Clothing and weapon terms also differ modestly.
Verse MT 3:17 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:17
He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Eglon was a very fat man.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:17
He presented the gifts to Eglon king of Moab. Eglon was a very handsome man.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew bari, fat or stout, differs from Greek asteios, handsome or fine-looking; the physical descriptions are not harmonized.
Verse MT 3:18 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:18
When he finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who had carried it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:18
When Ehud finished presenting the gifts, he sent away those who had carried them.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both dismiss the carriers after the presentation.
3:19–26 | The private audience, killing, and escape
Verse MT 3:19 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:19
But he turned back from the carved images near Gilgal and said, “I have a secret message for you, king.” The king said, “Silence!” All his attendants went out from him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:19
Eglon returned from the carved images near Gilgal, and Ehud said, “I have a secret message for you, king.” Eglon said to everyone, “Out of the way!” All his attendants went out from him.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew’s returning subject is Ehud; Greek explicitly names Eglon. The changed actor affects the narrative movement and is retained.
Verse MT 3:20 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:20
Ehud came to him as he sat alone in his cool upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you.” He rose from his throne.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:20
Ehud entered his presence as he sat entirely alone in his summer upper room. Ehud said, “I have a message from God for you, king.” Eglon rose from his throne near him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek specifies king and proximity, while the private audience and rising agree.
Verse MT 3:21 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:21
Ehud stretched out his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:21
As he rose, Ehud stretched out his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and drove it into Eglon’s belly,
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek explicitly synchronizes the thrust with the king’s rising and names the victim.
Verse MT 3:22 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:22
The hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the sword out of his belly. The excrement came out.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:22
and drove even the handle in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, because he did not pull the dagger out of his belly.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek lacks Hebrew’s difficult final excretion clause. Greek phlox here means blade, a sense expressly cited for this verse in LSJ [X1]; it need not evoke a flame. Hebrew parshedonah is rare; excrement remains a provisional contextual rendering.
Verse MT 3:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:23
Ehud went out into the passage, closed the upper-room doors behind him, and locked them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:23
Ehud went out into the vestibule, closed the upper-room doors upon him, and fastened them,
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both secure the room; the architectural and fastening terms remain contextual and partly uncertain.
Verse MT 3:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:24
After he had gone out, the king’s servants came and saw that the upper-room doors were locked. They said, “Surely he is covering his feet in the cool room.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:24
and he went out. The king’s attendants entered, saw that the upper-room doors were closed, and said, “Perhaps he is sitting on the privy in the bedroom’s retreat?”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew uses the euphemism covering his feet; Greek gives a privy and bedroom retreat. Both explain the servants’ delay as concern for privacy.
Verse MT 3:25 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:25
They waited until they were embarrassed, but he still did not open the upper-room doors. They took the key and opened them, and there was their lord, fallen dead on the ground.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:25
They waited in embarrassment, but no one opened the upper-room doors. They took the key and opened them, and there was their lord, fallen dead on the ground.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The delay, key, and discovery correspond.
Verse MT 3:26 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:26
Ehud escaped while they delayed. He passed the carved images and escaped to Seirah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:26
Ehud escaped while they were in confusion, and no one was paying attention to him. He passed the carved images and escaped to Seirotha.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds the lack of attention and describes confusion rather than simple delay.
3:27–31 | Moab subdued; Shamgar’s rescue
Verse MT 3:27 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:27
When he arrived, he blew the horn in the hill country of Ephraim. The sons of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he went before them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:27
When he arrived, he sounded a horn in the mountain of Ephraim. The sons of Israel went down with him, and he went before them.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The signal and leadership correspond; Hebrew repeats the departure from the hill country.
Verse MT 3:28 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:28
He said to them, “Follow after me, for YHWH has given your enemies, Moab, into your hand.” They went down after him and captured the Jordan fords leading to Moab. They allowed no one to cross.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:28
He said to them, “Come down after me, for the Lord God has handed your enemies, Moab, into your hand.” They went down after him and seized Moab’s Jordan crossings. They allowed no one to cross.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek has come down and Lord God; Hebrew has follow and YHWH. The blocking of the crossings agrees.
Verse MT 3:29 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:29
At that time they struck about ten thousand men of Moab, every stout man and every warrior. Not one escaped.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:29
At that time they struck about ten thousand men of Moab, all their fighters and every man of strength. Not one escaped.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The number and outcome agree; Hebrew stout men becomes Greek fighters.
Verse MT 3:30 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:30
Moab was subdued that day under Israel’s hand, and the land was quiet for eighty years.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:30
Moab was put to shame that day under Israel’s hand, and the land was quiet for eighty years. Ehud judged them until he died.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds Ehud’s judging and death. Its death notice corresponds in subject to Hebrew 4:1 and is not duplicated there in the Greek column.
Verse MT 3:31 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 3:31
After him came Shamgar son of Anath. He struck six hundred Philistine men with an oxgoad, and he too saved Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 3:31
After him Shamgar son of Anath arose and struck as many as six hundred foreign men, apart from the calves of the oxen. He too saved Israel.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew specifies an oxgoad as the weapon; Greek has the difficult phrase apart from the calves of the oxen. The selected Greek wording is retained provisionally rather than replaced by an inferred weapon.