Peter’s Second Gospel Proclamation, Part 3

Peter’s second Gospel proclamation concluded (Acts 3:24-26 NET):

And all the prophets, from Samuel and those who followed him, have spoken about and announced[1] these days.  You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed’ [Table].  God raised up his servant[2] and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities.”

A survey of the prophecies to which Peter alluded would be interesting but I won’t pursue it here.  After a perfunctory disclaimer “Old Testament messianic prophecies quoted in the New Testament” lists several.

According to the note (72) in the NET Acts 3:25b is a quotation from Genesis 22:18.  A table comparing the Greek of Peter’s quotation with the Septuagint follows

Acts 3:25b (NET Parallel Greek)

Genesis 22:18a (Septuagint BLB) Table

Genesis 22:18a (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐν τῷ σπέρματι σου [ἐν]ευλογηθήσονται πᾶσαι αἱ πατριαὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐνευλογηθήσονται ἐν τῷ σπέρματί σου πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐνευλογηθήσονται ἐν τῷ σπέρματί σου πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τῆς γῆς

Acts 3:25b (NET)

Genesis 22:18a (NETS)

Genesis 22:18a (English Elpenor)

‘And in your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.’ And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed

The Greek word translated descendants in the NET (KJV: seed) was σπέρματι (a form of σπέρμα).  I bring it up because Paul commented on it (Galatians 3:16 NET):

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant (σπέρματι).  Scripture does not say, “and to the descendants (σπέρμασιν, a plural form of σπέρμα),” referring to many, but “and to your descendant (σπέρματι),” referring to one, who is Christ.

Note 36 in the NET cites four references in Genesis.  Three of the four were also translated σπέρματι in the Septuagint.

Reference BLB Septuagint Elpenor Sptuagint
Genesis 12:7 σπέρματί σπέρματί
Genesis 13:15 σπέρματί σπέρματί
Genesis 24:7 σπέρματί σπέρματί

In context Peter’s thought went from this singular descendant (KJV: seed) to a singular servant (παῖδα, a form of παῖς; KJV: Son).

Here I’ll focus on God raised up his servant and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities.[3]  The Greek word translated turning was not a form of μετανοέω or a form of ἐπιστρέφω (Acts 3:19 NET):

Therefore repent (μετανοήσατε, a form of μετανοέω) and turn back (ἐπιστρέψατε, a form of ἐπιστρέφω) so that your sins may be wiped out…

It was ἀποστρέφειν (a form of ἀποστρέφω).  I can’t help but think that Peter or the Holy Spirit alluded to a then present fulfillment of the prophecy Paul quoted (Romans 11:26, 27 NET):

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion;[4] he will remove (ἀποστρέψει, another form of ἀποστρέφω) ungodliness from Jacob.  And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”

According to the note (21) in the NET Romans 11:26, 27a is a quotation from Isaiah 59:20, 21.  A table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation with the Septuagint follows:

Romans 11:26b, 27a (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 59:20, 21a (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 59:20, 21a (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἥξει ἐκ Σιὼν ὁ ρυόμενος, ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ἰακώβ (27) καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἡ παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη ἥξει ἕνεκεν Σιων ὁ ῥυόμενος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ιακωβ (21) καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῗς ἡ παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη ἥξει ἕνεκεν Σιὼν ὁ ῥυόμενος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ ᾿Ιακώβ (21) καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἡ παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη

Romans 11:26b, 27a (NET)

Isaiah 59:20, 21a (NETS)

Isaiah 59:20, 21a (English Elpenor)

The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. (27) And this is my covenant with them, the one who delivers will come for Zion’s sake, and he will turn impiety away from Jacob. (21) And this is the covenant to them from me, the deliverer shall come for Sion’s sake, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. (21) And this shall be my covenant with them,

I’ve never understood this quite so clearly.  And the deliverer shall come for Sion’s sake (English Elpenor) the Septuagint reads.  That time was past when Paul wrote to those in Rome who believed Jesus: the deliverer had already come for Sion’s sake and Israel in large part (Romans 11:2-5) had rejected Him (Romans 11:11-15 NET).

I ask then, they did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they?  Absolutely not!  But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.  Now if their transgression means riches for the world and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration bring?

Now I am speaking to you Gentiles.  Seeing that I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry [Table], if somehow I could provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them.  For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? [Table]

Paul changed ἕνεκεν (a form of ἕνεκα), for Sion’s sake, to ἐκ, out of Zion.  Since Israel rejected their deliverer/Redeemer/protector He no longer came exclusively for Sion’s sake.  For then, in Paul’s present, the Gospel was proceeding out of Zion to the whole world.  The Masoretic text reads to Zion, exclusively.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Isaiah 59:20 (Tanakh/KJV) Isaiah 59:20 (NET) Isaiah 59:20 (NETS)

Isaiah 59:20 (English Elpenor)

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. “A protector comes to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their rebellious deeds,” says the Lord. And the one who delivers will come for Zion’s sake, and he will turn impiety away from Jacob. And the deliverer shall come for Sion’s sake, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

This deliverer shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (English Elpenor) as confirmed by the Holy Spirit through Paul: he will remove ungodliness from Jacob.  But the Masoretes’ revision of the Scriptures according to masorah (“tradition”) limits this Redeemer unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob (Tanakh, KJV), or this protector to those in Jacob who repent of their rebellious deeds (NET).  In other words, his impact is limited currently to that select subset (Romans 11:5-7) of the whole of Jacob.

And this shall be my covenant with them, said the Lord.[5]  But Paul veered away from the rest of this quote (Isaiah 59:21b English Elpenor):

My Spirit which is upon thee, and the words which I have put in thy mouth, shall never fail from thy mouth, nor from the mouth of thy seed, for the Lord has spoken it, henceforth and for ever.

Since official Israel rejected Jesus (Acts 4:1-4) this promise doesn’t yet apply to all Israel.  So Paul and the Holy Spirit reiterated when it will apply: when I take away their sins.[6]

According to the note (22) in the NET Romans 11:27b is a quotation from Isaiah 27:9.  A table comparing the Greek of Paul’s quotation with the Septuagint follows:

Romans 11:27b (NET Parallel Greek) Isaiah 27:9b (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 27:9a (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅταν ἀφέλωμαι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν ὅταν ἀφέλωμαι αὐτοῦ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ὅταν ἀφέλωμαι τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτοῦ
Romans 11:27b (NET) Isaiah 27:9b (NETS) Isaiah 27:9a (English Elpenor)
when I take away their sins. when I remove his sin, when I shall have taken away his sin;

Still, the Masoretic text speaks truthfully to contemporary Israel: them that turn from transgression in Jacob (namely, turn from their rejection of Jesus as Messiah) will receive the Redeemer, and He shall turn away ungodliness from JacobGod raised up his servant and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities,[7] Peter promised in the name of the Lord Jesus.

The Greek word translated iniquities was πονηριῶν (a form of πονηρία).  Matthew recorded the following (Matthew 22:15-21 NET):

Then the Pharisees went out and planned together to entrap [Jesus] with his own words.  They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality.  Tell us then, what do you think?  Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus realized their evil intentions (πονηρίαν, another form of πονηρία) and said, “Hypocrites!  Why are you testing me?  Show me the coin used for the tax.”  So they brought him a denarius.  Jesus said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?”  They replied, “Caesar’s.”  He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Jesus told his disciples: What comes out of a person defiles him.  For from within, out of the human heart, come evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, evil (πονηρίαι, another form of πονηρία), deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly [Table].  All these evils (πονηρὰ, a form of πονηρός) come from within and defile a person.[8]

As he spoke, a[9] Pharisee invited[10] Jesus to have a meal with him, so he went in and took his place at the table.  The Pharisee was astonished when he saw that Jesus did not first wash his hands before the meal.  But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness (πονηρίας, another form of πονηρία).[11]

For the love of Christ controls us, Paul wrote of the apostles, since we have concluded this, that[12] Christ died for all; therefore all have died.  And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.[13]

The love of Christ was ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ in Greek.  Given the way Paul described and defined ἀγάπη (1 Corinthians 13) I think this is shorthand for the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).  Surely, it is Christ’s ἀγάπη in the sense that, as Jesus said, The Father and I are one,[14] and as He prayed, Everything I have belongs to you, and everything you have belongs to me.[15]  But perhaps more to the point for believers, this is Christ’s ἀγάπη in the sense that it is the same love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control[16] [Table] that “controlled” Jesus.

I used the past tense here only to accentuate the time He walked as a man on earth, rather than to suggest that love no longer controls (συνέχει, a form of συνέχω) Him.  So then, if anyone is in Christ, Paul continued (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NET):

he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come [Table]!  And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ[17] and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.  In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us.  We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”  God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God (δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ) [Table].

I think the righteousness of God we become is the love of Christ [that] controls us, understood as the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.[18]

Tables comparing Isaiah 27:9; 59:20 and 59:21 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Isaiah 27:9; 59:20 and 59:21 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Acts 3:24; 3:26; Romans 11:26; Luke 11:37; 2 Corinthians 5:14 and 5:18 in the NET and KJV follow.

Isaiah 27:9 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 27:9 (KJV)

Isaiah 27:9 (NET)

By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up. So in this way Jacob’s sin will be forgiven, and this is how they will show they are finished sinning: They will make all the stones of the altars like crushed limestone, and the Asherah poles and the incense altars will no longer stand.

Isaiah 27:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 27:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

διὰ τοῦτο ἀφαιρεθήσεται ἡ ἀνομία Ιακωβ καὶ τοῦτό ἐστιν ἡ εὐλογία αὐτοῦ ὅταν ἀφέλωμαι αὐτοῦ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ὅταν θῶσιν πάντας τοὺς λίθους τῶν βωμῶν κατακεκομμένους ὡς κονίαν λεπτήν καὶ οὐ μὴ μείνῃ τὰ δένδρα αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα αὐτῶν ἐκκεκομμένα ὥσπερ δρυμὸς μακράν διὰ τοῦτο ἀφαιρεθήσεται ἡ ἀνομία ᾿Ιακώβ, καὶ τοῦτό ἐστιν ἡ εὐλογία αὐτοῦ, ὅταν ἀφέλωμαι τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτοῦ, ὅταν θῶσι πάντας τοὺς λίθους τῶν βωμῶν κατακεκομμένους ὡς κονίαν λεπτήν· καὶ οὐ μὴ μείνῃ τὰ δένδρα αὐτῶν, καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα αὐτῶν ἐκκεκομμένα ὥσπερ δρυμὸς μακράν

Isaiah 27:9 (NETS)

Isaiah 27:9 (English Elpenor)

Because of this the lawlessness of Iakob will be removed.  And this is the blessing, when I remove his sin, when they make all the stones of the altars broken pieces like fine dust, and their trees will not remain, and their idols will be cut down like a forest far away. Therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be taken away; and this is his blessing, when I shall have taken away his sin; when they shall have broken to pieces all the stones of the altars as fine dust, and their trees shall not remain, and their idols shall be cut off, as a thicket afar off.

Isaiah 59:20 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 59:20 (KJV)

Isaiah 59:20 (NET)

And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. “A protector comes to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their rebellious deeds,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 59:20 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 59:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἥξει ἕνεκεν Σιων ὁ ῥυόμενος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ιακωβ καὶ ἥξει ἕνεκεν Σιὼν ὁ ῥυόμενος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ ᾿Ιακώβ

Isaiah 59:20 (NETS)

Isaiah 59:20 (English Elpenor)

And the one who delivers will come for Zion’s sake, and he will turn impiety away from Jacob. And the deliverer shall come for Sion’s sake, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

Isaiah 59:21 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 59:21 (KJV)

Isaiah 59:21 (NET)

As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. “As for me, this is my promise to them,” says the Lord.  “My Spirit, who is upon you, and my words, which I have placed in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and descendants from this time forward,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 59:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 59:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῗς ἡ παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη εἶπεν κύριος τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐμόν ὅ ἐστιν ἐπὶ σοί καὶ τὰ ῥήματα ἃ ἔδωκα εἰς τὸ στόμα σου οὐ μὴ ἐκλίπῃ ἐκ τοῦ στόματός σου καὶ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ σπέρματός σου εἶπεν γὰρ κύριος ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἡ παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη, εἶπε Κύριος· τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐμόν, ὅ ἐστιν ἐπὶ σοί, καὶ τὰ ρήματα, ἃ ἔδωκα εἰς τὸ στόμα σου, οὐ μὴ ἐκλίπῃ ἐκ τοῦ στόματός σου καὶ ἐκ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ σπέρματός σου· εἶπε γὰρ Κύριος, ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα

Isaiah 59:21 (NETS)

Isaiah 59:21 (English Elpenor)

And this is the covenant to them from me, said the Lord, my spirit that is upon you and my words that I have put in your mouth shall not fail out of your mouth or out of the mouth of your offspring, for the Lord has said it, from now on and forever. And this shall be my covenant with them, said the Lord; My Spirit which is upon thee, and the words which I have put in thy mouth, shall never fail from thy mouth, nor from the mouth of thy seed, for the Lord has spoken it, henceforth and for ever.

Acts 3:24 (NET)

Acts 3:24 (KJV)

And all the prophets, from Samuel and those who followed him, have spoken about and announced these days. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ πάντες δὲ οἱ προφῆται ἀπὸ Σαμουὴλ καὶ τῶν καθεξῆς ὅσοι ἐλάλησαν καὶ κατήγγειλαν τὰς ἡμέρας ταύτας και παντες δε οι προφηται απο σαμουηλ και των καθεξης οσοι ελαλησαν και προκατηγγειλαν τας ημερας ταυτας και παντες δε οι προφηται απο σαμουηλ και των καθεξης οσοι ελαλησαν και κατηγγειλαν τας ημερας ταυτας

Acts 3:26 (NET)

Acts 3:26 (KJV)

God raised up his servant and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities.” Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὑμῖν πρῶτον ἀναστήσας ὁ θεὸς τὸν παῖδα αὐτοῦ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτὸν εὐλογοῦντα ὑμᾶς ἐν τῷ ἀποστρέφειν ἕκαστον ἀπὸ τῶν πονηριῶν |ὑμῶν| υμιν πρωτον ο θεος αναστησας τον παιδα αυτου ιησουν απεστειλεν αυτον ευλογουντα υμας εν τω αποστρεφειν εκαστον απο των πονηριων υμων υμιν πρωτον ο θεος αναστησας τον παιδα αυτου ιησουν απεστειλεν αυτον ευλογουντα υμας εν τω αποστρεφειν εκαστον απο των πονηριων υμων

Romans 11:26 (NET)

Romans 11:26 (KJV)

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ οὕτως πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ σωθήσεται, καθὼς γέγραπται· ἥξει ἐκ Σιὼν ὁ ρυόμενος, ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ἰακώβ και ουτως πας ισραηλ σωθησεται καθως γεγραπται ηξει εκ σιων ο ρυομενος και αποστρεψει ασεβειας απο ιακωβ και ουτως πας ισραηλ σωθησεται καθως γεγραπται ηξει εκ σιων ο ρυομενος και αποστρεψει ασεβειας απο ιακωβ

Luke 11:37 (NET)

Luke 11:37 (KJV)

As he spoke, a Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐν δὲ τῷ λαλῆσαι ἐρωτᾷ αὐτὸν Φαρισαῖος ὅπως ἀριστήσῃ παρ᾿ αὐτῷ· εἰσελθὼν δὲ ἀνέπεσεν εν δε τω λαλησαι ηρωτα αυτον φαρισαιος τις οπως αριστηση παρ αυτω εισελθων δε ανεπεσεν εν δε τω λαλησαι ηρωτα αυτον φαρισαιος τις οπως αριστηση παρ αυτω εισελθων δε ανεπεσεν

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NET)

2 Corinthians 5:14 (KJV)

For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἡ γὰρ ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ συνέχει ἡμᾶς, κρίναντας τοῦτο, ὅτι εἷς ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀπέθανεν, ἄρα οἱ πάντες ἀπέθανον η γαρ αγαπη του χριστου συνεχει ημας κριναντας τουτο οτι ει εις υπερ παντων απεθανεν αρα οι παντες απεθανον η γαρ αγαπη του χριστου συνεχει ημας κριναντας τουτο οτι ει εις υπερ παντων απεθανεν αρα οι παντες απεθανον

2 Corinthians 5:18 (NET)

2 Corinthians 5:18 (KJV)

And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ καταλλάξαντος ἡμᾶς ἑαυτῷ διὰ Χριστοῦ καὶ δόντος ἡμῖν τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς τα δε παντα εκ του θεου του καταλλαξαντος ημας εαυτω δια ιησου χριστου και δοντος ημιν την διακονιαν της καταλλαγης τα δε παντα εκ του θεου του καταλλαξαντος ημας εαυτω δια ιησου χριστου και δοντος ημιν την διακονιαν της καταλλαγης

[1] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had κατήγγειλαν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had προκατηγγειλαν (KJV: haveforetold).

[2] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ιησουν (KJV: Jesus) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[3] Acts 3:26 (NET)

[4] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: and) joining these clauses.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[5] Isaiah 59:21a (English Elpenor)

[6] Romans 11:27b (NET)

[7] Acts 3:26 (NET)

[8] Mark 7:20-23 (NET)

[9] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τις (KJV: a certain) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[10] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐρωτᾷ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ηρωτα (KJV: besought).

[11] Luke 11:37-39 (NET)

[12] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ει (KJV: if) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[13] 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 (NET)

[14] John 10:30 (NET)

[15] John 17:10a (NET)

[16] Galatians 5:22b, 23a (NET)

[17] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ιησου preceding Christ (KJV: Jesus).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[18] Romans 8:14 (NET)

Psalm 22, Part 8

This is a continuing look into Psalm 22 as the music in Jesus’ heart as He endured the cross.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Psalm 22:14c (Tanakh) Table Psalm 22:14c (NET) Psalm 21:15c (NETS)

Psalm 21:15c (Elpenor English)

my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My heart is like wax; it melts away inside me. my heart became like wax melting within my belly; my heart in the midst of my belly is become like melting wax.

Since the Masoretic text and Septuagint agree here, I want to spend some time considering what might have been on Jesus’ heart (Hebrew: לִ֖בִּי; Greek: καρδία μου).  Here are the first occurrences of לִבּ֔וֹ (lēḇ) in the Masoretic text.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Genesis 6:5, 6 (Tanakh) Genesis 6:5, 6 (NET) Genesis 6:5, 6 (NETS)

Genesis 6:5, 6 (English Elpenor)

And HaShem saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart (לִבּ֔וֹ) was only evil continually. But the Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth.  Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds (lēḇ, לבו) was only evil all the time. And when the Lord God saw that the wicked deeds of humans were multiplied on the earth and that all think attentively in their hearts (τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ) on evil things all the days, And the Lord God, having seen that the wicked actions of men were multiplied upon the earth, and that every one in his heart (τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ) was intently brooding over evil continually,
And it repented HaShem that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart (לִבּֽוֹ) [Table]. The Lord regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended (lēḇ, לבו) [Note 25: “and he was grieved to his heart”]. then God considered that he had made humankind on the earth, and he thought it over (διενοήθη). then God laid it to heart[1] that he had made man upon the earth, and he pondered [it] deeply (διενοήθη).

The end result of this repentance, regret, consideration and pondering was the flood (Genesis 6:9-8:20).  But the flood didn’t change the evil thoughts of human hearts.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Genesis 8:21 (Tanakh) Genesis 8:21 (NET) Genesis 8:21 (NETS)

Genesis 8:21 (English Elpenor)

And HaShem smelled the sweet savour; and HaShem said in His heart (לִבּ֗וֹ): ‘I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart (לֵ֧ב) is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done [Table]. And the Lord smelled the soothing aroma and said to himself (lēḇ, לבו) [Note 33: “in his heart”], “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, even though the inclination of their minds (lēḇ, לב) is evil from childhood on.  I will never again destroy everything that lives, as I have just done. And the Lord God smelled an odor of fragrance, and the Lord God, when he had given it thought (διανοηθείς), said, “I will not proceed hereafter to curse the earth because of the deeds of humans, for the mind (διάνοια) of humankind applies itself attentively to evil things from youth; so I will not proceed hereafter to smite all living flesh, as I have done. And the Lord God smelled a smell of sweetness, and the Lord God having considered (διανοηθείς), said, I will not any more curse the earth, because of the works of men, because the imagination (διάνοια) of man is intently bent upon evil things from his youth, I will not therefore any more smite all living flesh as I have done.

Jesus continued this teaching about the human heart (Matthew 15:18, 19; Mark 7:20-23 NET):

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart (καρδίας, a form of καρδία), and these things defile a person.  For out of the heart (καρδίας) come evil ideas, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

What comes out of a person defiles him.  For from within, out of the human heart (καρδίας), come evil ideas, sexual immorality,[2] theft,[3] murder, adultery,[4] greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly.  All these evils come from within and defile a person.

The first occurrences of לִבּ֔וֹ (lēḇ) in Genesis from the Masoretic text had me thinking this essay would be a contrast between the heart of human beings and the heart of God.  As I made or studied the tables for these verses, however, I noticed that the rabbis who translated the Septuagint veered away from a mechanical translation (if a form of לֵב [lēḇ] was actually in the Hebrew they translated) whenever God was the subject.  I took it to heart.  It was a human heart, THE human heart, that melted like wax on the cross.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Psalm 68:2 (Tanakh) Psalm 68:2 (NET) Psalm 67:3 (NETS)

Psalm 67:3 (English Elpenor)

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax (דּ֖וֹנַג) melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. As smoke is driven away by the wind, so you drive them away.  As wax (dônāḡ, דונג) melts before fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; as wax (κηρὸς) melts from before fire, so may sinners perish from before God. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish: as wax (κηρὸς) melts before the fire, so let the sinners perish from before God.

David’s prayer got a very literal answer in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark when NAZIs, the contemporary archetype of evil, and their French collaborator literally melted like wax before the ark of the covenant.  But NAZIs and their collaborators are not the only ones with evil human hearts, the source of evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly.

Do not be amazed that I said to you, Jesus said, ‘You must all be born from above.’[5]  Paul wrote of Jesus: For he hath made himsin for us, who knew no sin[6]  I don’t believe the phrase τὸν μὴ γνόντα ἁμαρτίαν (who knew no sin) means that Jesus lacked an evil human heart.  Quite the contrary, the Word became flesh,[7] John testified of Jesus.  Jesus stated explicitly how He knew (γνόντα, a form of γινώσκω) no sin: the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.[8]

Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,[9] the beginning, the firstborn from the dead:[10] Before his crucifixion He was a human being with an evil human heart so led by the Holy Spirit, so filled with God’s own love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that He knew no sin.  But the Word become flesh did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew (ἐγίνωσκεν, another form of γινώσκω) what was in man.[11]  And God hath made himsin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made[12] the righteousness of God in him.[13]

The writer of Hebrews, who I think scribed what Jesus taught during the forty days between his resurrection and ascension, was fairly explicit about Jesus’ humanity (Hebrews 2:14-17; 4:15 NET):

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death.  For surely his concern (ἐπιλαμβάνεται, a form of ἐπιλαμβάνω) is not for angels, but he is concerned (ἐπιλαμβάνεται, a form of ἐπιλαμβάνω) for Abraham’s descendants.  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect (κατὰ πάντα), so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted[14] in every way just as we are (καθ᾿ ὁμοιότητα), yet without sin.

Through faith in Him we, too, receive his Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22 NET):

But it is God who establishes us together with you in Christ and who anointed us, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts (ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν) as a down payment.

Paul prayed for the inner strengthening each of us needs to be a dwelling place of God (Ephesians 3:14-19 NET):

I kneel before the Father [Table], from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.  I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he will grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person [Table], that Christ will dwell in your hearts (ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν) through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you will be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth [Table], and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God.

I can think of no better way to end this essay than to conclude with Paul’s own benediction (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NET):

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond[15] all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen [Table].

Tables comparing Genesis 6:5 and Psalm 68:2 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing Genesis 6:5 and Psalm 68:2 (67:3) in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor), and tables comparing Mark 7:21, 22; Hebrews 4:15 and Ephesians 3:20 in the NET and KJV follow.

Genesis 6:5 (Tanakh)

Genesis 6:5 (KJV)

Genesis 6:5 (NET)

And HaShem saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. But the Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth.  Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time.

Genesis 6:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 6:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδὼν δὲ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὅτι ἐπληθύνθησαν αἱ κακίαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ πᾶς τις διανοεῗται ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἐπιμελῶς ἐπὶ τὰ πονηρὰ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ᾿Ιδὼν δὲ Κύριος ὁ Θεός, ὅτι ἐπληθύνθησαν αἱ κακίαι τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ πᾶς τις διανοεῖται ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἐπιμελῶς ἐπὶ τὰ πονηρὰ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας,

Genesis 6:5 (NETS)

Genesis 6:5 (English Elpenor)

And when the Lord God saw that the wicked deeds of humans were multiplied on the earth and that all think attentively in their hearts on evil things all the days, And the Lord God, having seen that the wicked actions of men were multiplied upon the earth, and that every one in his heart was intently brooding over evil continually,

Psalm 68:2 (Tanakh)

Psalm 68:2 (KJV)

Psalm 68:2 (NET)

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. As smoke is driven away by the wind, so you drive them away.  As wax melts before fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God.

Psalm 68:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 67:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὡς ἐκλείπει καπνός ἐκλιπέτωσαν ὡς τήκεται κηρὸς ἀπὸ προσώπου πυρός οὕτως ἀπόλοιντο οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ θεοῦ ὡς ἐκλείπει καπνός, ἐκλιπέτωσαν· ὡς τήκεται κηρὸς ἀπὸ προσώπου πυρός, οὕτως ἀπολοῦνται οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ Θεοῦ

Psalm 67:3 (NETS)

Psalm 67:3 (English Elpenor)

As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; as wax melts from before fire, so may sinners perish from before God. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish: as wax melts before the fire, so let the sinners perish from before God.

Mark 7:21, 22 (NET)

Mark 7:21, 22 (KJV)

For from within, out of the human heart, come evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, murder, For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἔσωθεν γὰρ ἐκ τῆς καρδίας τῶν ἀνθρώπων οἱ διαλογισμοὶ οἱ κακοὶ ἐκπορεύονται, πορνεῖαι, κλοπαί, φόνοι εσωθεν γαρ εκ της καρδιας των ανθρωπων οι διαλογισμοι οι κακοι εκπορευονται μοιχειαι πορνειαι φονοι εσωθεν γαρ εκ της καρδιας των ανθρωπων οι διαλογισμοι οι κακοι εκπορευονται μοιχειαι πορνειαι φονοι
adultery, greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

μοιχεῖαι, πλεονεξίαι, πονηρίαι, δόλος, ἀσέλγεια, ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός, βλασφημία, ὑπερηφανία, ἀφροσύνη κλοπαι πλεονεξιαι πονηριαι δολος ασελγεια οφθαλμος πονηρος βλασφημια υπερηφανια αφροσυνη κλοπαι πλεονεξιαι πονηριαι δολος ασελγεια οφθαλμος πονηρος βλασφημια υπερηφανια αφροσυνη

Hebrews 4:15 (NET)

Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὐ γὰρ ἔχομεν ἀρχιερέα μὴ δυνάμενον συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν, πεπειρασμένον δὲ κατὰ πάντα καθ᾿ ὁμοιότητα χωρὶς ἁμαρτίας ου γαρ εχομεν αρχιερεα μη δυναμενον συμπαθησαι ταις ασθενειαις ημων πεπειραμενον δε κατα παντα καθ ομοιοτητα χωρις αμαρτιας ου γαρ εχομεν αρχιερεα μη δυναμενον συμπαθησαι ταις ασθενειαις ημων πεπειραμενον δε κατα παντα καθ ομοιοτητα χωρις αμαρτιας

Ephesians 3:20 (NET)

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ ὑπὲρ πάντα ποιῆσαι ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ὧν αἰτούμεθα ἢ νοοῦμεν κατὰ τὴν δύναμιν τὴν ἐνεργουμένην ἐν ἡμῖν τω δε δυναμενω υπερ παντα ποιησαι υπερ εκπερισσου ων αιτουμεθα η νοουμεν κατα την δυναμιν την ενεργουμενην εν ημιν τω δε δυναμενω υπερ παντα ποιησαι υπερ εκπερισσου ων αιτουμεθα η νοουμεν κατα την δυναμιν την ενεργουμενην εν ημιν

[1] The phrase laid it to heart is an English translation of the Greek word ἐνεθυμήθη (a form of ἐνθυμέομαι).

[2] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μοιχειαι (KJV: adulteries) preceding sexual immorality (KJV: fornications).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[3] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had κλοπαί here.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[4] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had μοιχειαι here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κλοπαί (KJV: Thefts).

[5] John 3:7 (NET)

[6] 2 Corinthians 5:21a (KJV) Table I deliberately dropped the words to be added by the translators.  They are not in the Greek and they add nothing to my understanding.

[7] John 1:14a (NET)

[8] John 14:10b (KJV) Table

[9] Hebrews 12:2b (NET) Table

[10] Colossians 1:18b (NET)

[11] John 2:25 (NET)

[12] The Sephanus Textus Receptus had γινωμεθα here, where the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had γενώμεθα (NET: would become).

[13] 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) Table

[14] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had πεπειρασμένον here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πεπειραμενον (KJV: wastempted).

[15] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had υπερ εκπερισσου (KJV: abundantly above).