Quotes in James
James quotes from the Old Testament 4 times.
James 2:11 quoting Exodus 20:13-14
James 2:11
‘You must not commit adultery,’ and ‘You must not murder.’
Exodus 20:13-14
Greek Septuagint (our translation):
‘You must not commit murder.
You must not commit adultery.’
✅ Matches
Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):
‘Thou shalt not murder. […]
Thou shalt not commit adultery.’
✅ Matches
Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):
(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)
Our comments:
The quote from James 2:11 matches well with both our Septuagint translation and the shortened Hebrew Masoretic Text.
James 2:23 quoting Genesis 15:6 (LXX)
James 2:23
‘believed in The God, and for this he was considered to be righteous…’
Genesis 15:6
Greek Septuagint (our translation):
‘So Abram believed The God, and his [faith] was counted to him as righteousness.’
✅ Matches as a paraphrase
Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):
‘And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.’
✅ Matches as a paraphrase
Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):
(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)
Our comments:
James 2:23 paraphrases Genesis 15:6 in both the Septuagint and Hebrew Masoretic Text. The meaning is consistent across all versions, however it matches the Septuagint better because of it says ‘The God’ versus ‘the LORD.’
James 4:5 quoting Proverbs 27:4 (none)
James 4:5
‘lusts with envy…’
Proverbs 27:4
Greek Septuagint (our translation):
Rage has no mercy and anger is sharp; But, before the zealous, no one can stand.
❌ Differs
Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):
‘Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?’
❌ Differs
Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):
(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)
Our comments:
James 4:5, which states ‘lusts with envy…’, differs significantly from both the Greek Septuagint and the Hebrew Masoretic Text of Proverbs 27:4. Neither of the Old Testament versions contains the phrase ‘lusts with envy’, but instead discuss rage, anger, and jealousy.
It could be an extreme paraphrase, or perhaps James has suffered some textual corruption here. Or alternatively, maybe it’s an older wording of a verse which has been lost to us.
Some have suggested that James isn’t quoting anything at all, that he’s just talking generally about what the scriptures say about human nature.
We don’t know.
James 4:6 quoting Proverbs 3:34 (LXX)
James 4:6
‘[Jehovah] opposes the proud,
But shows loving-care to the humble.’
Proverbs 3:34
Greek Septuagint (our translation):
‘For [Jehovah] opposes the proud,
And shows favor to those who are humble.’
✅ Matches
Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):
‘If it concerneth the scorners, He scorneth them,
But unto the humble He giveth grace.’
❌ Differs
Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):
(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)
Our comments:
James 4:6 matches very well with the Greek Septuagint translation of Proverbs 3:34, particularly in the phrases ‘opposes the proud’ and ‘shows loving-care/favor to the humble’.
The Hebrew Masoretic Text, however, uses different wording with ‘scorners’ and ‘scorneth them’, which does not align as closely with the James quote.
Quotes Index
- Matthew (27)
- Mark (13)
- Luke (16)
- John (11)
- Acts (34)
- Romans (62)
- 1 Corinthians (17)
- 2 Corinthians (11)
- Galatians (11)
- Ephesians (3)
- Philippians (1)
- Colossians (0)
- 1 Thessalonians (0)
- 2 Thessalonians (0)
- 1 Timothy (1)
- 2 Timothy (2)
- Titus (1)
- Philemon (0)
- Hebrews (30)
- James (4)
- 1 Peter (10)
- 2 Peter (4)
- 1 John (0)
- 2 John (0)
- 3 John (0)
- Jude (1)
- Revelation (7)