Quotes in Romans

Romans 1:17 matches the Septuagint almost exactly. The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scroll fragment are also very similar, only differing by using ‘his faith’ instead of ‘their faith’ and a different introductory phrase. Scroll 4Q82 is too fragmented to compare.

Romans 2:6 quoting Psalm 62:12

Romans 2:6

‘…pays everyone back for the things they’ve been doing.’

Psalm 62:12 (61:13 in LXX numbering)

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘He pays each one back for the things that he does.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] For Thou renderest to every man according to his work.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…according to his work.’ — Scroll 4Q83 Psalms A

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Matches both main sources.

Romans 2:24 quoting Isaiah 52:5 (LXX)

Romans 2:24

‘God’s Name is being blasphemed among the nations because of you people!’

Isaiah 52:5

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] ‘It’s because My Name was being blasphemed By you, among all the rest of the nations.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] ‘And My name continually all the day is blasphemed.’’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘'[…] and my name is blasphemed continually all day long.’’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

‘…says… my name… day…’ — Scroll 4Q58 Isaiah D

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Romans 2:24 matches the Greek Septuagint very well, including the phrase ‘among the nations’ which is present in the Septuagint but not in the Hebrew Masoretic Text or the Dead Sea Scroll fragment.

The Masoretic Text and the fragment convey a similar meaning but use different wording, particularly with the phrase ‘continually all the day’, which is not present in the Romans quote.

Scroll 4Q58 is too fragmented to compare.

Romans 3:4 quoting Psalm 51:4

Romans 3:4

‘So, Your decisions are righteous,
And in Your judgments, You’ve proven just.’

Psalm 51:4 (50:6)

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] So, Your decisions are righteous,
And in Your judgments, You’ve proven just.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] That Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest,
And be in the right when Thou judgest.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…and done… that you may be proved right…’ — Scroll 4Q91 Psalms J

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Both sources match, even though they may look very different, that’s because the JPS translation is a lot more literal than ours.

Romans 3:10 quoting Psalm 14:1

Romans 3:10

‘No one is righteous… No not one!’

Psalm 14:1 (13:1 in the LXX numbering)

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘And none are doing what’s righteous!’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘There is none that doeth good.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘… abominable deeds. …’ — Scroll 11Q7 Psalms C

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Both match very well. The Dead Sea Scroll fragment is too brief to compare.

Romans 3:11-12 quoting Psalm 53:2-3 (LXX)

Romans 3:11-12

‘For there’s no one who truly understands
And no one is searching for God,
Since all have strayed and are useless.
Also, no one is kind… No not one!’

Psalm 53:2-3 (52:3-4 in LXX numbering)

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] So that He might see if there are any who understand and are searching for God. […] But all have gone astray and are together useless! None are doing good… No, not one!’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] To see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after God. Every one of them is unclean, they are together become impure; There is none that doeth good, no, not one.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…who does… Every one of them has gone back. …together. …’ — Scroll 4Q83 Psalms A

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Romans 3:11-12 matches the Greek Septuagint very well, particularly in phrases like ‘all have strayed and are useless’. The Hebrew Masoretic Text conveys a similar idea but uses different wording, such as ‘unclean’ and ‘impure’ instead of ‘useless’.

The Dead Sea Scroll fragment is too brief to compare.

Romans 3:13 quoting Psalm 5:9

Romans 3:13

‘For their throats are like open graves;
With their tongues, they practice deceit.’

Psalm 5:9 (5:10 in LXX numbering)

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] Their throats are like open tombs,
And they’ve used their tongues to deceive.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] Their throat is an open sepulchre (burial chamber);
They make smooth their tongue.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…They flatter… their tongues…’ — Scroll 4Q83 Psalms A

❓ Unknown

‘…there is no faithfulness in their mouth…’ — Scroll 4Q98b Psalms S

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Both sources match. The difference between the plural ‘tombs’ and the singular ‘sepulchre’ is just a translation preference; the source text uses singular in both.

Romans 3:13 quoting Psalm 140:3 (LXX and MT)

Romans 3:13

‘And the poison of asps is under their lips.’

Psalm 140:3

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] And the poison of asps is under their lips.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] Vipers’ venom is under their lips.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘[…] Spider’s poison is under…’ — Scroll 11Q5 Psalms A

❌ Differs

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text versions of Psalm 140:3 match the Romans quote well, using equivalent phrasing for the poison under the lips.

The Dead Sea Scroll fragment differs by mentioning ‘Spider’s poison’ instead of ‘poison of asps’ or ‘vipers’ venom’.

Romans 3:14 quoting Psalm 10:7 (LXX)

Romans 3:14

‘With cursing and shouting,
Their mouths have been filled.’

Psalm 10:7

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Bitterness and cursing is what fills their mouths…’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text versions of Psalm 10:7 align with the Romans quote on ‘cursing’ filling the mouth. However, the Septuagint’s ‘Bitterness and cursing’ is a closer conceptual match for ‘With cursing and shouting’. The Masoretic Text’s additional phrase ‘deceit and oppression’ is not found in the Romans quote.

Romans 3:15-17 quoting Isaiah 59:7-8

Romans 3:15-17

‘And their feet are ready to go and spill blood.
In their swath, is misery and destruction;
The road to peace, they’ve not known.’

Isaiah 59:7-8

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Your feet now run towards what’s wicked,
And you’re quick to shed innocent blood.
[…]
In your paths, are misery and destruction.
The ways of peace, you’ve not known,’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed innocent blood;
[…]
Desolation and destruction are in their paths.
The way of peace they know not,’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…with their mouth. …’ — Scroll 11Q8 Psalms D

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Both sources convey the same idea as the Romans quote in paraphrase form.

Romans 3:18 quoting Psalm 36:1

Romans 3:18

‘For, in their eyes, there’s no fear of God.’

Psalm 36:1

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘About his sins, the lawbreaker says:

‘As I see it, there is no God we should fear.’’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Transgression speaketh to the wicked, methinks—
There is no fear of God before his eyes.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources convey the same idea as the Romans quote in paraphrase form.

Romans 4:3 quoting Genesis 15:6

Romans 4:3

‘AbraHam was counted as righteous… Because he believed in The God.’

Genesis 15:6

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘So Abram believed The God, and [his faith] was counted to him as righteousness.’

✅ Matches with some explanation

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.’

✅ Matches with some explanation

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text convey the same core idea as the Romans quote. Romans 4:3 slightly rephrases and expands on the concept of Abraham’s belief leading to righteousness, but the meaning is consistent across all sources.

Romans 4:8 quoting Psalm 32:1-2 (LXX)

Romans 4:8

‘Blest are those in whom
He has found no sin!’

Psalm 32:1-2

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Blest are those in whom He doesn’t find sin […]‘

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is pardoned.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Romans 4:8 closely matches the Greek Septuagint’s wording, specifically the phrase ‘Blest are those in whom He doesn’t find sin’. The Hebrew Masoretic Text conveys a similar idea of blessedness through forgiveness but uses different wording, so it does not match.

Romans 4:17 quoting Genesis 17:5

Romans 4:17

‘I’ve appointed you to be the father of many nations.’

Genesis 17:5

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘For I’ve made you the father of many nations.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text convey the same core idea as the Romans quote—that Abraham was made the father of many nations—despite minor differences in phrasing.

Romans 4:18 quoting Genesis 15:5

Romans 4:18

‘They’ll be your offspring.’

Genesis 15:5

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] He said:

‘This is how your offspring will be.’’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] He said unto him: ‘So shall thy seed be.’’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources match.

Romans 4:22 quoting Genesis 15:6

Romans 4:22

‘It was counted to him as righteousness.’

Genesis 15:6

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] was counted to him as righteousness.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] He counted it to him for righteousness.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources match.

Romans 7:7 quoting Exodus 20:17

Romans 7:7

‘You must not envy.’

Exodus 20:17

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘You must not desire your neighbor’s woman, his house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his burro, any other animal, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase summary

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase summary

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

The apostle is summarizing the entire commandment.

Romans 8:36 quoting Psalm 44:22

Romans 8:36

‘We’re being killed all day long for Your sake,
We’re thought of as sheep to be slaughtered!’

Psalm 44:22

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Because of You, we’re slaughtered all day…
We’re thought of as sheep to be butchered.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Nay, but for Thy sake are we killed all the day;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…as sheep…’ — Scroll 1Q12 Psalms C

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text versions convey the same core ideas. The Dead Sea Scroll fragment is too brief to make a clear comparison.

Romans 9:7 quoting Genesis 21:12

Romans 9:7

‘That which will be called your descendant will come through IsaAc…’

Genesis 21:12

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘…because IsaAc will be the one who’s called your offspring.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘…for in Isaac shall seed be called to thee.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text convey the same core idea as the Romans quote, which is a concise summary of the original statement.

Romans 9:9 quoting Genesis 18:14

Romans 9:9

‘I’ll return at this time and SarAh will have a son.’

Genesis 18:14

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] I’ll return to you [next year] in this season, and SarAh will have a son!’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] At the set time I will return unto thee, when the season cometh round, and Sarah shall have a son.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Romans 9:9 quotes the core promise from Genesis 18:14. Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text convey this same promise, but the Romans quote omits the introductory question and slightly condenses the timing phrase.

Romans 9:12 quoting Genesis 25:23

Romans 9:12

‘The older will be the younger [one’s] slave.’

Genesis 25:23

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] and the older one will serve the younger.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] And the elder shall serve the younger.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources match.

Romans 9:13 quoting Malachi 1:2-3

Romans 9:13

‘I loved Jacob, but I didn’t care for Esau.’

Malachi 1:2-3

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘'I have loved you,’ says [Jehovah]…

‘But you’ve asked:

‘How have You loved us?’

‘Wasn’t Esau the brother of Jacob?’ asked [Jehovah],
‘Yet, although I loved Jacob, I disliked [his brother]; […]‘

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘I have loved you, saith the LORD.
Yet ye say: ‘Wherein hast Thou loved us?’
Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?
Saith the LORD;
Yet I loved Jacob;
But Esau I hated, […]‘

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text versions of Malachi 1:2-3 convey the same core idea as the Romans quote—that God ‘loved Jacob, but… didn’t care for Esau’ (or ‘hated’ Esau), making the Romans quote a paraphrase summary of the original statement.

Romans 9:15 quoting Exodus 33:19

Romans 9:15

‘I’ll show mercy upon whomever I choose to show mercy, and pity upon whomever I choose to feel pity.’

Exodus 33:19

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] ‘I’ll be merciful to those for whom I feel mercy, and I’ll have pity on those for whom I feel pity.’’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.’

✅ Matches with some explanation

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…all my goodness … before you … I will show mercy’ – Scroll 4Q22 PaleoExodus

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Romans 9:15 closely matches the Septuagint and Masoretic Text. The Dead Sea Scroll fragment is too brief to make a full comparison.

Romans 9:17 quoting Exodus 9:16 (MT)

Romans 9:17

‘The reason why I raised you is so that I can show My powers through you, and to have My Name announced throughout the whole earth!’

Exodus 9:16

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘For, the very reason that you’ve been allowed to live is so that I might display My strength through you, and so that My Name might be advertised throughout the whole world!’

❌ Differs

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘But in very deed for this cause have I made thee to stand, to show thee My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘… to show you my power,… my name may be declared throughout all…’ – Scroll 4Q14

❓ Unknown

‘but indeed…’ – Scroll 4Q22 PaleoExodus

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Romans 9:17 differs from the Greek Septuagint in a key aspect: Romans states God ‘raised’ Pharaoh, implying active elevation or preservation for a purpose, whereas the Septuagint says God ‘allowed to live’, which implies merely not destroying him. The Hebrew Masoretic Text, however, uses the phrase ‘made thee to stand’, which aligns well with the idea of God actively ‘raising’ Pharaoh as presented in Romans.

The Dead Sea Scroll fragments are too brief for a conclusive comparison.

Romans 9:20 quoting Isaiah 29:16

Romans 9:20

‘Will the thing that’s made ask its maker:
‘Why did you make me like this?’’

Isaiah 29:16

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] Or can something that’s made say to its maker:

‘I don’t like the way that you made me?’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] Or the thing framed say of him that framed it: ‘He hath no understanding?’’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘[…] or the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding?’’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Our comments:

All sources convey the same core idea of the created object questioning its maker, making them a paraphrase match for the Romans quote.

Romans 9:25 quoting Hosea 2:23

Romans 9:25

‘I’ll call those who aren’t My people, My people,
And the one I didn’t love, My loved one.’

Hosea 2:23

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘…And I’ll love the one who’s unloved.

Then I’ll say:

‘You’re My people!’

‘To those who weren’t really Mine;…’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘…And I will have compassion upon her that had not obtained compassion;
And I will say to them that were not My people: ‘Thou art My people’;…’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…and I will have mercy … and they will say …’ – Scroll 4Q82 Minor Prophets

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text versions convey the same ideas but with different phrasing, making them paraphrases of the quote. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment is too incomplete to determine a match.

Romans 9:26 quoting Hosea 1:10 (LXX and DSS)

Romans 9:26

‘In those places where they were told,
‘You’re not My people,’
They’ll be called,
The Living God’s sons!’

Hosea 1:10

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] And it’ll be in that place
Where I told them that they’re no longer my people;
They’ll be called, The Living God’s Sons.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…]and it shall come to pass that, instead of that which was said unto them: ‘Ye are not My people’, it shall be said unto them: ‘Ye are the children of the living God.’’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…number of the children of… or counted… you …they will be called’ – Scroll 4Q79 Minor Prophets

❓ Unknown

‘…Yet the number of the children of… will be … counted; and it will come to pass that, in the place…’ – Scroll 4Q82 Minor Prophets

❓ Unknown. However, ✅ a match for ‘in the place’ which matches the Septuagint’s ‘in that place’.

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches well with the quote’s mention of ‘in that place’. The Masoretic Text differs as it does not include this specific idea.

The Dead Sea Scrolls fragments are too incomplete to determine a full match, but it’s interesting that the 4Q82 fragment mentions ‘in the place’ which does match the LXX.

Romans 9:27-28 quoting Isaiah 10:22-23 (LXX)

Romans 9:27-28

‘The people of IsraEl will then grow to be as many as the sands of the seas from the few that survive.’

Isaiah 10:22-23

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘And the people of IsraEl will then grow to be
As many as the sands of the seas
From the very few that were left.
[…]‘

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘For though thy people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea,
Only a remnant of them shall return;
[…]‘

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘For though your people, Israel, are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. […]‘ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

‘…will make… throughout…’ — Scroll 4Q57 Isaiah C

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches the Romans quote well, particularly with the phrase ‘from the very few that were left’ (or ‘survive’). The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls (1Q Isaiah A) differ by saying ‘only a remnant of them shall return’ instead.

Scroll 4Q57 Isaiah C is too fragmented to determine a match.

Romans 9:29 quoting Isaiah 1:9 (LXX)

Romans 9:29

‘If [Jehovah] of armies hadn’t left us an offspring,
We would’ve become just like Sodom
And the same as GomorRah.’

Isaiah 1:9

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘So unless [Jehovah] of Armies
Should choose to leave us an offspring…
Like Sodom and GomorRah, we will be!’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant,
We should have been as Sodom, we should have been like unto Gomorrah.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom; we would have been like Gomorrah.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches the Romans quote well, specifically using ‘offspring’. The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls differ significantly by referring to a ‘very small remnant’ instead of an ‘offspring’.

Romans 9:33 quoting Isaiah 8:14 (MT and DSS)

Romans 9:33

‘Look! I’m laying in Zion,
A stone… (of stumbling, and a rock of offense)
And those trusting in him,
Will never be shamed.’

Note: Only the words in bold are from Isaiah 8:14.

Isaiah 8:14

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] And upon no stones will they stumble,
Nor upon any rocks will they trip! […]‘

❌ Differs

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence […]‘

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘[…] a stumbling stone and a rock that makes them fall. […]‘ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

✅ Match

Our comments:

Only the Masoretic and Great Isaiah Scroll match these words. In Romans 9:33, they are a parenthetical statement inserted into the middle of a quote of Isaiah 28:16.

See the translator note.

Romans 9:33 quoting Isaiah 28:16 (LXX)

Romans 9:33

'{Look!} I’m laying in Zion,
A stone… (of stumbling, and a rock of offense)
And those trusting in him,
Will never be shamed.‘

Note: Only the words in bold are from Isaiah 28:16. The others are from Isaiah 8:14.

Isaiah 28:16

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] Look! I’ll lay a precious stone on the foundation of Zion, a choice cornerstone! Those who believe in him will never be shamed.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone,
A tried stone, a costly corner-stone of sure foundation;
He that believeth shall not make haste.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘Therefore thus says Yahweh the Lord, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.’’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

‘…Yahweh, ‘Behold, I lay… act hastily.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah B

❌ Differs

Our comments:

The Masoretic and Dead Sea Scrolls don’t match when they say those who believe or trust in him will ‘never be shamed’, but instead say ‘shall not act hastily’.

See the translator note.

Romans 10:5 quoting Leviticus 18:5

Romans 10:5

‘You must follow all My rules and all My decisions… Yes, follow them in such a way [that you learn to] live by them.’

Leviticus 18:5

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘So you must guard all My rules, and all My judgments… you must do them so that you can live by them.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and Mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them: I am the LORD.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources match well.

Romans 10:6 quoting Deuteronomy 30:12

Romans 10:6

‘Who could ascend into the heavens?’

Deuteronomy 30:12

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘'Who’ll go up into the sky…’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Who shall go up for us to heaven…’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain these words.)

Our comments:

Both sources match well as paraphrases.

Romans 10:7 quoting Deuteronomy 30:13 (none)

Romans 10:7

‘Who could descend into the abyss?’

Deuteronomy 30:13

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Nor are they beyond the sea, so you’d have to say:

‘Who’ll cross the sea […]’’

❌ Differs

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say: ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, […]’’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘..is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over…’’ — Scroll 4Q29 Deuteronomy B

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

The New Testament quote refers to ‘descending into the abyss’, while all sources refer to ‘crossing the sea’. This indicates a significant conceptual difference. The apostle may have been quoting from a now-lost source, using an extreme paraphrase, or wasn’t really quoting at all.

Romans 10:8 quoting Deuteronomy 30:14

Romans 10:8

‘The words are close to you; they’re in your mouths and in your hearts.’

Deuteronomy 30:14

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘These words are near to you… In your mouths, in your hearts, and in your hands!’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, […]‘

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…the word… very… in your mouth and in your heart and in your hand, that you may do it.’ — Scroll 4Q29 Deuteronomy B

✅ Matches what has survived

Our comments:

All sources match well.

Romans 10:11 quoting Isaiah 28:16 (LXX)

Romans 10:11

‘Those who believe in him will never be shamed.’

Isaiah 28:16

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] And those trusting in him will never be shamed.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] He that believeth shall not make haste.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘He who believes shall not act hastily.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

‘…act hastily.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah B

❌ Differs

Our comments:

Note that trusting and believing is the same word in Greek (πιστευων).

The Septuagint matches the quote. The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls differ significantly by saying ‘shall not make haste’ or ‘shall not act hastily’ instead of ‘will never be shamed’.

See our translator note discussing this when Paul also quotes it in Romans 9:33.

Romans 10:13 quoting Joel 2:32

Romans 10:13

‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!’

Joel 2:32

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Then, all who call on the name of the Lord
Will be the ones who are saved […]‘

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered; […]‘

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…will call on … name …’ — Scroll: Wadi Murabba'at Minor Prophets

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

The Septuagint and Masoretic Text match well, but the Dead Sea Scroll fragment is too incomplete to compare.

Note: We believe that Joel 2:32 may be one of the verses in which, in Hebrew, God’s Name was restored incorrectly.

Romans 10:15 quoting Isaiah 52:7

Romans 10:15

‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news about good things!’

Isaiah 52:7

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘As [a] time of beauty on the mountains…
As welcome as the feet of those bringing good news…
As joyful as [a] message of peace
When good things are being announced’

✅ Match as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of the messenger of good tidings,
That announceth peace, the harbinger of good tidings, […]‘

✅ Match as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who brings news of peace, who publishes good news, […]‘ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

✅ Match as a paraphrase

‘…beautiful…’ — Scroll 4Q56 Isaiah B

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

All sources match the main idea, although Romans is a shortened paraphrase.

Romans 10:16 quoting Isaiah 53:1 (LXX)

Romans 10:16

‘Who has trusted our report of the Lord?’

Isaiah 53:1

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Who has trusted the Lord’s report? […]‘

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Who would have believed our report? […]‘

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘Who has believed our message? […]‘ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches well. The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls differ significantly as they refer to ‘our’ report/message, not ‘the Lord’s’.

Romans 10:18 quoting Psalm 19:4 (LXX)

Romans 10:18

‘Their call has gone throughout the whole earth… Their the words have reached to the ends of the earth!’

Psalm 19:4 (18:5 in LXX numbering)

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘For, throughout the earth, their sound has gone,
And these words have reached to the ends of man’s home […]‘

✅ Match as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Their [measuring] line is gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world. […]‘

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain these words.)

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches well, but the Masoretic Text talks about a measuring ‘line’ rather than a ‘sound’.

Romans 10:19 quoting Deuteronomy 32:21 (LXX)

Romans 10:19

‘I’ll provoke you to jealousy with those who are not [of your] nation, and anger you with those who don’t understand.’

Deuteronomy 32:21

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘…So I’ll make them angry and jealous
Over others that are not [of your] nation…
I’ll enrage them with people who don’t understand.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘…And I will rouse them to jealousy with a no-people;
I will provoke them with a vile nation.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Only the Septuagint matches well, as it talks about ‘people who don’t understand’, not ‘a vile nation’.

Romans 10:20 quoting Isaiah 65:1 (LXX)

Romans 10:20

‘I was seen by those not searching for Me,
And found by those not asking for Me.
I said, ‘Here I am,’ to a nation,
That has never called on My Name.’

Isaiah 65:1

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘I was seen by those not searching for Me
And found by those not asking for Me…
I said, ‘Here I am,’ to a nation
That had never called on My Name.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘I gave access to them that asked not for Me,
I was at hand to them that sought Me not;
I said: ‘Behold Me, behold Me’,
Unto a nation that was not called by My name.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘I am inquired of by those who didn’t ask. I am found by those who didn’t seek me. I said, ‘See me, see me,’ to a nation that was not called by my name.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches very well. The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls are paraphrases with similar meaning, but slightly different wording, such as ‘gave access’ rather than ‘seen by’, and ‘found’ rather than ‘at hand to them’.

Romans 10:21 quoting Isaiah 65:2 (LXX)

Romans 10:21

‘I’ve held out My hands all day long,
To a people who will just not listen,
And to those who prefer to talk back.’

Isaiah 65:2

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘For I’ve held out My hands all day long
To a people who just wouldn’t listen,
And to those who only talked back… […].’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘I have spread out My hands all the day
Unto a rebellious people,
That walk in a way that is not good,
After their own thoughts;’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘I have spread out my hands all day to a rebellious people, […].’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches very well. The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls are paraphrases, as Romans’ ‘not listen’ and ‘talk back’ are expressed as ‘rebellious’ in the MT and DSS.

Romans 11:3 quoting 1 Kings 19:10, 14

Romans 11:3

‘O [Jehovah]; they’ve killed Your prophets, they’ve dug up Your Altars, and I’m the only one left… And now they’re seeking my life!’

1 Kings 19:10, 14:

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘…They’ve demolished Your Altars and they’ve killed Your prophets with swords, and now I’m the only one left and they’re looking [to kill] me too!’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘…thrown down Thine altars,
and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left;
and they seek my life, to take it away.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text convey the same ideas, although Romans is a paraphrase that summarizes Elijah’s lament.

Romans 11:4 quoting 1 Kings 19:18

Romans 11:4

‘I’ve kept 7,000 people for Myself that haven’t bent a knee to BaAl.’

1 Kings 19:18

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘However, there are still 7,000 men in IsraEl who haven’t bent their knees to the BaAl, […].’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Yet will I leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, […].’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text match well as paraphrases, conveying the same core idea, though with minor wording differences.

Romans 11:8 quoting Isaiah 29:10 (MT and DSS)

Romans 11:8

‘just as it’s written, God gave them a ‘spirit to slumber’’

Isaiah 29:10

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘For the Lord will send you frustration to drink! […]‘

❌ Differs

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep […]‘

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘For Yahweh has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep, […]‘ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

✅ Match

Our comments:

Only the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls match well in saying ‘spirit of deep sleep’, whereas the Septuagint says ‘frustration to drink’.

Romans 11:8 quoting Deuteronomy 29:4

Romans 11:8

‘…so that their ‘eyes haven’t seen, and that their ears haven’t heard’ – ‘down to this very day!’’

Deuteronomy 29:4

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Yet, down to this day, […] the eyes to see, or the ears to hear.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘…to this day.’ — Scroll 4Q39 Deuteronomy L

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Matches both sources as a paraphrase.

Romans 11:10 quoting Psalm 69:22-23

Romans 11:10

‘Let their eyes grow dim, so they can’t see,
And their backs forever bent double.’

Psalm 69:22-23

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘May their eyes become dark, so they can’t see,
And may their backs be bent over double.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not;
And make their loins continually to totter. […]‘

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches very well. The Masoretic Text differs in its second part, translating ‘backs forever bent double’ as ‘make their loins continually to totter’, which conveys very a very different meaning.

This could be explained by the Greek Septuagint translator simply swapping a Hebrew idiom for a Greek one. This could indicate the Paul really was quoting from the Greek Septuagint.

Interestingly, the Aramaic copy of Romans says the same as the Septuagint too.

Romans 11:26-27 quoting Isaiah 59:20-21 (LXX)

Romans 11:26-27

‘A Savior will come out of Zion,
And remove from Jacob, his godless ways.
Yes, this is My promise to them
After I’ve removed all their sins.’

Isaiah 59:20-21

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Then a savior will come out of Zion
Who’ll remove the irreverence from Jacob,’ said [Jehovah].
‘And this is My Promise to them: […]‘

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘And a redeemer will come to Zion,
And unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob,
Saith the LORD.
And as for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; […]‘

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob,’ says Yahweh. ‘As for me, this is my covenant with them,’ says Yahweh. ‘[…]‘ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

‘…says Yahweh. ‘As for me, this… with them,’ says Yahweh. ‘[…]‘ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah B

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Only the Greek Septuagint says that he will ‘come out’ of Zion and remove people’s sins, whereas the others say he will ‘come to’ Zion, to people who have already repented (’turned from transgression’).

The end part of the Romans quote seems to paraphrase and summarize the rest of the verse that comes afterwards.

Romans 11:34 quoting Isaiah 40:13 (LXX)

Romans 11:34

‘Who has come to know the mind of [Jehovah],
And who can give Him advice?’

Isaiah 40:13

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Who knows the mind of [Jehovah]…
Who has become His advisor
And who can give Him instructions?’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Who hath meted out the spirit of the LORD?
Or who was His counsellor that he might instruct Him?’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘Who has directed Yahweh’s Spirit, or has taught him as his counselor?’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches the Romans quote well, conveying the same ideas of ‘knowing the mind’ and ‘giving advice’. The Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls versions differ significantly in the first part, referring to ‘meting out’ or ‘directing the spirit’ instead of ‘knowing the mind’.

Romans 11:35 quoting Job 41:11 (MT)

Romans 11:35

‘Or give Him something that He must repay?’

Job 41:11 (41:2 or 41:3 in LXX numbering)

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Yes, who can resist Me and win,
Since all under heaven is Mine?’

❌ Differs

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS) (41:3 in JPS numbering):

‘Who hath given Me anything beforehand, that I should repay him? […]‘

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

The Masoretic Text matches the Romans quote well, focusing on the idea of ‘giving something beforehand’ that needs repayment. The Septuagint, however, presents a different concept, discussing resistance and God’s ownership.

Romans 12:19 quoting Deuteronomy 32:35

Romans 12:19

‘I’ll pay them back!’

Deuteronomy 32:35

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] I will pay them back. […]‘

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Vengeance is Mine, and recompense […]‘

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘Vengeance is mine,…’ — Scroll 4Q45

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Our comments:

The Septuagint is a direct match, while the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls are paraphrases conveying the same idea.

Romans 12:20 quoting Proverbs 25:21-22

Romans 12:20

‘If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat;
And if he’s thirsty, give him something to drink;
For whenever you do this, you’re piling burning coals on their heads.

Proverbs 25:21-22

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘If your enemy is hungry, you should feed him,
And if he’s thirsty, you should give him a drink!
For you will heap coals of fire on his head […].’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat,
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.
For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head […].’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources match well.

Romans 13:9 quoting Exodus 20:13-15, 17

Romans 13:9

‘You must not murder,
You must not commit adultery,
You must not steal,
You must not envy’

Exodus 20:13-15, 17

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘You must not commit murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not desire your neighbor’s woman […] or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.’

✅ Matches with some explanation

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS) (20:13-14 in JPS numbering):

‘Thou shalt not murder.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house […] or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.’

✅ Matches with some explanation

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

The Septuagint and Masoretic Text both directly match the commandments against murder, adultery, and stealing. The instruction ‘You must not envy’ in Romans 13:9 is a concise paraphrase of the longer ‘desire’ (LXX) or ‘covet’ (MT) commandment found in Exodus.

Romans 13:9 quoting Leviticus 19:18

Romans 13:9

‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’

Leviticus 19:18

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘You must love your neighbor as you [love] yourself.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[..] thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself […]‘

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources match well.

Romans 14:11 quoting Isaiah 45:23-24

Romans 14:11

‘As I live,’ says [Jehovah]…
Every knee shall bow before Me,
And to Me, every tongue will give praise.’

Isaiah 45:23-24

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Now I’ve sworn [an] oath by Myself […]
So to Me, every knee shall bend low,
And by Me, every tongue shall swear oaths.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS) (45:23 in JPS numbering):

‘By Myself have I sworn, […]
That unto Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall swear.’

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘I have sworn by myself. […] that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

‘…every knee… shall take an oath. …’ — Scroll 4Q56 Isaiah B

✅ Matches as a paraphrase

Our comments:

All sources match the divine oath and the bowing of every knee. The phrase ‘every tongue will give praise’ in Romans is a paraphrase of ‘every tongue shall swear oaths’ found in Isaiah, conveying the same idea of submission and acknowledgment to Jehovah.

Romans 15:3 quoting Psalm 69:9

Romans 15:3

‘The insults of those insulting you, have fallen upon me.’

Psalm 69:9

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘The scorn of blasphemers has fallen on me.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS) (69:10 in JPS numbering):

‘And the reproaches of them that reproach Thee are fallen upon me.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘The reproaches of … have(?) fallen(?) on me.’ — Scroll 4Q83 Psalms A

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text versions are close matches, conveying the same idea of insults or reproaches falling upon the speaker. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment is too incomplete to make a definitive comparison, and some of the words are unclear and are guessed.

Romans 15:9 quoting Psalm 18:49

Romans 15:9

‘That’s why I’ll praise You to the nations,
And that’s why I’ll sing to Your Name.’

Psalm 18:49

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘So, I’ll praise You before all the nations…
O [Jehovah], I’ll strum to Your Name.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS) (18:50 in JPS numbering):

‘Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the nations,
And will sing praises unto Thy name.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both sources match well.

Romans 15:10 quoting Deuteronomy 32:43 (LXX)

Romans 15:10

‘Rejoice you gentiles, along with His people!’

Deuteronomy 32:43

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Rejoice with His people, you nations […]‘

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘Sing aloud, O ye nations, of His people. […]‘

❌ Differs (you sing about God’s people, not with them)

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘Rejoice, heavens, with his people […]‘ — Scroll 4Q44 Deuteronomy Q

❌ Differs in a different way (the heavens rejoice)

Our comments:

The Septuagint matches the Romans quote well, conveying the same idea of gentiles/nations rejoicing with God’s people.

The Masoretic Text’s ‘Sing aloud, O ye nations, of His people’ differs as it implies the nations singing about God’s people, rather than with them as in Romans.

The Dead Sea Scrolls version differs significantly by stating ‘heavens’ should rejoice instead of ‘gentiles’ or ‘nations’.

Romans 15:11 quoting Psalm 117:1

Romans 15:11

‘Praise [Jehovah], you gentiles…
Let everyone give praise to Him.’

Psalm 117:1

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘Praise [Jehovah], you nations…
May He be praised by you all.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘O praise the LORD, all ye nations;
Laud Him, all ye peoples.’

✅ Match

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

(None of the surviving Dead Sea Scrolls contain this verse.)

Our comments:

Both the Septuagint and Masoretic Text versions match the Romans quote well.

Romans 15:12 quoting Isaiah 11:10 (LXX)

Romans 15:12

‘In that day, the origin [literally: ‘root’] of JesSe [will sprout]…
He’ll arise to rule [all] the nations.
Yes in him, the gentiles will trust,
And upon him, honor will rest.’

Isaiah 11:10

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘In that day, the origin [literally: ‘root’] of JesSe [will sprout]…
He’ll arise to rule [all] the nations.
In him, the gentiles will trust,
And upon him, honor will rest.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] In that day, the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples,
Unto him shall the nations seek;
And his resting-place shall be glorious.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and his resting place will be glorious.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

‘It will happen in that day… will seek… and his resting place will be glorious.’ — Scroll 4Q57 Isaiah C

❓ Unknown

Our comments:

The Septuagint is a direct match. The Masoretic Text and the 1Q Isaiah A Dead Sea Scroll differ, describing the root of Jesse as an ‘ensign’ or ‘banner’ that nations ‘seek,’ and a ‘glorious resting-place,’ rather than ‘sprouting’ and ‘arising to rule’ with gentiles ‘trusting’ in him. The 4Q57 Dead Sea Scroll is too fragmented to compare definitively, but its available words align with the differing ideas found in the Masoretic Text.

To learn why we translate it as ‘origin’ rather than ‘root’, see our translator note.

Romans 15:21 quoting Isaiah 52:15 (LXX)

Romans 15:21

‘He’ll be seen by those to whom he didn’t preach,
And those who haven’t heard him will learn.’

Isaiah 52:15

Greek Septuagint (our translation):

‘[…] For those who weren’t told about him, will see…
And those who haven’t heard, will understand.’

✅ Match

Hebrew Masoretic Text (JPS):

‘[…] For that which had not been told them shall they see,
And that which they had not heard shall they perceive.’

❌ Differs

Dead Sea Scrolls (WEB):

‘for they will see that which had not been told them;
and they will understand that which they had not heard.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah A

❌ Differs

‘for they will see that which had not been told them;
and they will understand that which they had … heard.’ — Scroll 1Q Isaiah B

❌ Differs

Our comments:

Only the Greek Septuagint matches by referring to a person by using ‘he’ or ‘him’. The others talk about ‘that’, which could be knowledge of anything.

Quotes Index

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Texts

Quotes in Romans

Romans 1:17 quoting Habakkuk 2:4 (LXX)

Our comments:

Romans 2:6 quoting Psalm 62:12

Psalm 62:12 (61:13 in LXX numbering)

Our comments:

Romans 2:24 quoting Isaiah 52:5 (LXX)

Our comments:

Romans 3:4 quoting Psalm 51:4

Psalm 51:4 (50:6)

Our comments:

Romans 3:10 quoting Psalm 14:1

Psalm 14:1 (13:1 in the LXX numbering)

Our comments:

Romans 3:11-12 quoting Psalm 53:2-3 (LXX)

Psalm 53:2-3 (52:3-4 in LXX numbering)

Our comments:

Romans 3:13 quoting Psalm 5:9

Psalm 5:9 (5:10 in LXX numbering)

Our comments:

Romans 3:13 quoting Psalm 140:3 (LXX and MT)

Our comments:

Romans 3:14 quoting Psalm 10:7 (LXX)

Our comments:

Romans 3:15-17 quoting Isaiah 59:7-8

Our comments:

Romans 3:18 quoting Psalm 36:1

Our comments:

Romans 4:3 quoting Genesis 15:6

Our comments:

Romans 4:8 quoting Psalm 32:1-2 (LXX)

Our comments:

Romans 4:17 quoting Genesis 17:5

Our comments:

Romans 4:18 quoting Genesis 15:5

Our comments:

Romans 4:22 quoting Genesis 15:6

Our comments:

Romans 7:7 quoting Exodus 20:17

Our comments:

Romans 8:36 quoting Psalm 44:22

Our comments:

Romans 9:7 quoting Genesis 21:12

Our comments:

Romans 9:9 quoting Genesis 18:14

Our comments:

Romans 9:12 quoting Genesis 25:23

Our comments:

Romans 9:13 quoting Malachi 1:2-3

Our comments:

Romans 9:15 quoting Exodus 33:19

Our comments:

Romans 9:17 quoting Exodus 9:16 (MT)

Our comments:

Romans 9:20 quoting Isaiah 29:16

Our comments:

Romans 9:25 quoting Hosea 2:23

Our comments:

Romans 9:26 quoting Hosea 1:10 (LXX and DSS)

Our comments:

Romans 9:27-28 quoting Isaiah 10:22-23 (LXX)

Our comments:

Romans 9:29 quoting Isaiah 1:9 (LXX)

Our comments:

Romans 9:33 quoting Isaiah 8:14 (MT and DSS)

Our comments:

Romans 9:33 quoting Isaiah 28:16 (LXX)

Our comments:

Romans 10:5 quoting Leviticus 18:5