Judges 6 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 6:32
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 6
Called from obscurity: Christ’s grace and the gift of peace
Patristic reception: Ambrose reads Gideon’s call and offering in relation to Christ’s Incarnation and saving body [A1, §§1–3]. These are attributed figures, not substitutions for the narrative’s wheat, kid, rock, or messenger.
6:1–10 | Midian’s oppression and the prophet’s rebuke
Verse MT 6:1 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:1
The sons of Israel did evil in YHWH’s eyes, and YHWH gave them into Midian’s hand for seven years.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:1
The sons of Israel did evil before the Lord, and the Lord handed them into Midian’s hand for seven years.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both introduce seven years of Midianite domination.
Verse MT 6:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:2
Midian’s hand prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian, the sons of Israel made for themselves the shelters in the mountains, the caves, and the strongholds.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:2
Midian’s hand prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian, the sons of Israel made enclosures for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew lists shelters, caves, and strongholds; Greek locates the enclosures in the mountains, caves, and strongholds.
Verse MT 6:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:3
Whenever Israel sowed, Midian, Amalek, and the sons of the east came up; they came up against them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:3
Whenever an Israelite man sowed, Midian, Amalek, and the sons of the east came up; they came up against him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek individualizes the farmer where Hebrew names Israel collectively.
Verse MT 6:4 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:4
They camped against them and ruined the land’s produce as far as Gaza. They left no sustenance in Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:4
They camped against them and ruined the land’s produce as far as Gaza. They left no means of life in Israel, neither flock nor calf nor donkey.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The destruction and loss of sustenance agree; the livestock terms vary in specificity.
Verse MT 6:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:5
For they came up with their livestock and tents, coming like locusts in multitude. They and their camels were beyond numbering, and they entered the land to ruin it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:5
For they and their livestock came up, bringing their tents; they arrived like locusts in multitude. They and their camels were beyond numbering, and they entered Israel’s land to ruin it.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek makes the carrying of tents and Israel’s identification explicit; the invasion imagery agrees.
Verse MT 6:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:6
Israel became very poor because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried out to YHWH.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:6
Israel became very poor because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The impoverishment and appeal agree.
Verse MT 6:7 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:7
When the sons of Israel cried out to YHWH because of Midian,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:7
When the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord because of Midian,
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both lead into the prophetic response.
Verse MT 6:8 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:8
YHWH sent a man who was a prophet to the sons of Israel. He said to them, “Thus says YHWH, the God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slaves.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:8
the Lord sent a man who was a prophet to the sons of Israel. He said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I am the One who brought you up from Egypt, and I brought you out of the house of slavery.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The exodus claim agrees; Hebrew house of slaves becomes Greek house of slavery.
Rabbinic: Rashi identifies the unnamed prophet as Phinehas [R6, 6:8]. His identification is not supplied as a name in the translated text.
Verse MT 6:9 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:9
I rescued you from Egypt’s hand and from the hand of all who oppressed you. I drove them out before you and gave you their land.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:9
I rescued you from Egypt’s hand and from the hand of all who oppressed you. I cast them out before you and gave you their land.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The deliverance and land grant correspond.
Verse MT 6:10 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:10
I said to you, “I am YHWH your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:10
I said to you, “I am the Lord your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, among whom you dwell in their land.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both indict disobedience to the command against fearing the other gods.
6:11–18 | Gideon’s call and request for a sign
Verse MT 6:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:11
YHWH’s messenger came and sat beneath the terebinth in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from Midian.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:11
The Lord’s messenger came and sat beneath the oak in Ephrathah that belonged to Joash, father of Abiezri. His son Gideon was beating out wheat in a winepress to escape from Midian.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek has Ephrathah, an oak, and Joash as father of Abiezri; Hebrew has Ophrah, a terebinth, and Joash’s clan designation. The stated purpose also differs slightly.
Verse MT 6:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:12
YHWH’s messenger appeared to him and said to him, “YHWH is with you, mighty warrior.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:12
The Lord’s messenger appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, mighty in strength.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The greeting affirms divine presence and addresses Gideon as strong.
Verse MT 6:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:13
Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if YHWH is with us, why has all this found us? Where are all His wonders that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not YHWH bring us up from Egypt?’ But now YHWH has abandoned us and given us into Midian’s palm.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:13
Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why have all these evils found us? Where are all His wonders that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now He has rejected us and handed us into Midian’s hand.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly calls the disasters evils and describes rejection; Hebrew names YHWH again and speaks of abandonment.
Rabbinic: Rashi pictures Gideon recalling his father’s Passover praise and pleading for rescue through ancestral merit or God’s unmerited kindness [R6, 6:13].
Verse MT 6:14 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:14
YHWH turned to him and said, “Go in this strength of yours and save Israel from Midian’s palm. Have I not sent you?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:14
The Lord’s messenger looked toward him and said to him, “Go in your strength and you will save Israel. Look, I have sent you.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The stated speaker is YHWH in Hebrew and His messenger in Greek. Greek also lacks the phrase from Midian’s palm. Agency is preserved without deciding the messenger’s theological identity.
Verse MT 6:15 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:15
He said to Him, “Please, Lord, with what shall I save Israel? Look, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:15
Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, with what shall I save Israel? Look, my thousand is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am small in my father’s house.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew ʾeleph is rendered clan in context; Greek retains a thousand-group. Hebrew youngest and Greek small or insignificant preserve different expressions of Gideon’s low standing.
Verse MT 6:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:16
YHWH said to him, “Indeed, I will be with you, and you will strike Midian as one man.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:16
The Lord’s messenger said to him, “The Lord will be with you, and you will strike Midian as one man.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has YHWH’s first-person promise; Greek has His messenger’s third-person assurance.
Verse MT 6:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:17
He said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your eyes, give me a sign that it is You who are speaking with me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:17
Gideon said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is you who are speaking with me.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The request for a confirming sign corresponds. Capitalization follows the stated speaker in verses 14–16, not a separate claim about the apparition.
Verse MT 6:18 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:18
Please do not move from here until I come to You, bring out my offering, and set it before You.” He said, “I will remain until you return.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:18
Do not move from here until I come to you, bring my sacrifice, and set it before you.” He said, “I am here; I will sit until you return.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew minḥah, offering or gift, becomes Greek sacrifice. Both promise to remain.
6:19–24 | The offering, fire, and altar of peace
Verse MT 6:19 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:19
Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot. He brought it out to Him beneath the terebinth and presented it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:19
Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an oiphi of flour. He put the meat on the basket and poured the broth into a pot. He brought it out to him beneath the oak and bowed down.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek ends with prostration rather than presentation. Ephah and the borrowed Greek oiphi represent corresponding measures; tree terms remain distinct.
Verse MT 6:20 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:20
God’s messenger said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, set them on that rock, and pour out the broth.” He did so.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:20
The Lord’s messenger said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened loaves, set them by that rock, and pour out the broth.” He did so.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The instructions agree substantially; the messenger’s title is of God in Hebrew and of the Lord in Greek.
Verse MT 6:21 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:21
YHWH’s messenger stretched out the end of the staff in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. Fire rose from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. YHWH’s messenger went from his sight.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:21
The Lord’s messenger stretched out the end of the staff in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. Fire was kindled from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. The Lord’s messenger went from his sight.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The sign and disappearance correspond.
Saints: Ambrose reads the rock and consumed offering in relation to Christ’s body and the removal of sins, invoking the Pauline rock–Christ connection [A1, §§2–3].
Verse MT 6:22 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:22
Gideon saw that he was YHWH’s messenger. Gideon said, “Alas, Lord YHWH! For I have seen YHWH’s messenger face to face.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:22
Gideon saw that he was the Lord’s messenger. Gideon said, “Ah, ah, Lord, Lord! For I have seen the Lord’s messenger face to face.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both express fear at the face-to-face encounter; the divine address and exclamation differ idiomatically.
Verse MT 6:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:23
YHWH said to him, “Peace to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:23
The Lord said to him, “Peace to you. Do not fear that you may die.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both assure Gideon of safety, with Greek phrasing death as the object of fear.
Verse MT 6:24 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:24
Gideon built an altar there to YHWH and called it YHWH Is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:24
Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it Peace of the Lord. To this day it is still there in Ephrathah of the father of Ezri.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The altar-name syntax and the location/clan wording differ; the Greek’s father-of-Ezri expression is retained.
The false altar falls: trust and service in Christ
Editorial Christian reading: the destruction of the Baal altar invites reflection on exclusive service to God. Ambrose associates the water from the fleece with Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet [A1, §§11–12].
6:25–32 | The altar demolished and the name Jerubbaal
Verse MT 6:25 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:25
That night YHWH said to him, “Take your father’s bull, and the second bull, seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:25
That night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s fattened bull, the seven-year-old bull. Pull down your father’s altar of Baal and cut down the grove beside it.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew distinguishes a second bull; Greek describes a fattened seven-year-old bull without second. Moschos is rendered bull for this explicitly adult animal. Asherah and grove remain source-specific cultic terms.
Verse MT 6:26 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:26
Build an altar to YHWH your God on top of this stronghold, in due arrangement. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah that you cut down.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:26
Build an altar to the Lord your God, who appeared to you, on top of this Mount Maoz, in battle array. Take the bull and offer it as a whole burnt offering with the wood of the grove that you cut down.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds who appeared to you, turns stronghold into Mount Maoz, and uses battle-array language. It again lacks second before the animal.
Verse MT 6:27 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:27
Gideon took ten men from his servants and did as YHWH had told him. Because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:27
Gideon took thirteen men from his servants and did as the Lord had told him. Because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The number of servants is ten in Hebrew and thirteen in Greek.
Verse MT 6:28 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:28
The men of the city rose early in the morning. Look, Baal’s altar had been pulled down, the Asherah beside it had been cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the newly built altar.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:28
The men of the city rose early in the morning. Look, Baal’s altar had been demolished, the grove beside it had been cut down, and the fattened bull had been offered as a whole burnt offering on the newly built altar.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Second bull and fattened bull continue the distinction in verses 25–26; the discovery otherwise corresponds.
Verse MT 6:29 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:29
They said to one another, “Who did this thing?” They investigated and searched, and said, “Gideon son of Joash did this thing.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:29
Each said to his neighbor, “Who did this thing?” They examined and searched, and said, “Gideon son of Joash did this thing.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both identify Gideon through investigation.
Verse MT 6:30 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:30
The men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, so that he may die, because he pulled down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah beside it.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:30
The men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, and let him die, because he demolished Baal’s altar and cut down the grove beside it.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The demand and its grounds correspond, with the established Asherah/grove distinction.
Verse MT 6:31 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:31
Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone pulled down his altar.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:31
Joash said to the men who stood against him, “Are you now pleading Baal’s case? Are you saving him? Whoever disputed with him will die by morning. If he is a god, he himself will avenge him, because someone demolished his altar.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew threatens one who contends for Baal; Greek’s antedikesen describes disputing against or with him. The Greek pronouns in the avenging clause are ambiguous, so the wording is retained without assigning a new referent.
Verse MT 6:32 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:32
On that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, “Let Baal contend against him, because he pulled down his altar.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:32
On that day he called it Tribunal of Baal, because he demolished his altar.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew gives Gideon a personal name with an explanation; Greek uses a neuter object and the designation Tribunal of Baal. The different naming assertion is not harmonized.
6:33–40 | The Spirit, the gathered tribes, and the fleece
Verse MT 6:33 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:33
All Midian, Amalek, and the sons of the east gathered together, crossed over, and camped in the valley of Jezreel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:33
All Midian, Amalek, and the sons of the east gathered together, crossed over, and camped in the valley of Jezreel.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The enemy gathering agrees.
Verse MT 6:34 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:34
The Spirit of YHWH clothed Gideon. He sounded the horn, and Abiezer was summoned to follow him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:34
The Spirit of God clothed Gideon. He sounded a horn trumpet, and Abiezer cried out behind him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The Spirit’s clothing image agrees; the divine title and the description of Abiezer’s response differ modestly.
Verse MT 6:35 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:35
He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and it too was summoned to follow him. He sent messengers through Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:35
He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and it too cried out behind him. He sent messengers through Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The tribal mobilization agrees; Hebrew closes with meet them and Greek with meet him.
Verse MT 6:36 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:36
Gideon said to God, “If You are saving Israel by my hand, as You have spoken,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:36
Gideon said to God, “If You are saving Israel by my hand, as You have spoken,
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The condition introducing the fleece request agrees.
Verse MT 6:37 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:37
look, I am placing a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If dew is on the fleece alone while all the ground is dry, I will know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have spoken.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:37
look, I am laying a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If dew comes upon the fleece alone while all the ground is dry, I will know that You are saving Israel by my hand, as You have spoken.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The requested sign and its purpose correspond.
Verse MT 6:38 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:38
It was so. He rose early the next day and squeezed the fleece. He wrung dew from the fleece, a bowlful of water.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:38
It was so. Gideon rose early the next day and squeezed the fleece. The dew flowed from the fleece, a basin full of water.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both report the fulfilled sign; Greek names Gideon and describes the water’s flowing.
Saints: Ambrose moves from the basin of fleece-water to Christ’s washing of the apostles’ feet and asks to be cleansed through that service [A1, §§11–12].
Verse MT 6:39 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:39
Gideon said to God, “Do not let Your anger burn against me, and let me speak just this once. Please let me test once more with the fleece: let the fleece alone be dry, and let dew be on all the ground.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:39
Gideon said to God, “Do not let Your wrath be angry with me, and let me speak once more. Let me test once more with the fleece: let the fleece alone be dry, and let dew be on all the ground.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both preserve the second, reversed request and Gideon’s appeal against anger.
Verse MT 6:40 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 6:40
God did so that night. The fleece alone was dry, and dew was on all the ground.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 6:40
God did so that night. The fleece alone was dry, and dew was on all the ground.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The second sign’s fulfillment agrees.