MT vs LXX: When Adding Too Much Just Causes Drama"

The Cities of Refuge in the Torah: A Comparative Study of the MT and LXX

The Torah provides detailed regulations regarding the establishment of "cities of refuge" in the Promised Land after its conquest. These cities were places of asylum where individuals who unintentionally killed someone could seek refuge, without the fear of revenge from the victim’s family, often referred to as blood vengeance. These regulations were implemented by Moses himself, as outlined in Deuteronomy 4:41-43, and are further discussed in the Book of Joshua 20:7-9, where God explains the purpose and institution of these cities to Joshua.

The Role of the Cities of Refuge

The cities of refuge were integral to maintaining justice and mercy within ancient Israelite society. According to the regulations, anyone who committed manslaughter without intent could flee to one of these cities and avoid being killed by the avenger of blood. This system served as a safeguard against the cycle of revenge, allowing for proper investigation and trial, ensuring that the killer did not act with premeditation.

In Joshua 20:4, the procedure for admission to the city is mentioned, and the legal framework for handling the manslayer is further detailed. This chapter, however, exists in two different versions: the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Septuagint (LXX). Both texts provide differing accounts of the same event, with notable variations that have sparked much scholarly debate.

Differences Between the MT and LXX Versions

The Masoretic Text is the traditional Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible, while the Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, dating back to the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. Scholars have long recognized significant differences between these two versions, especially in the details surrounding the cities of refuge.

MT-Joshua 20:4-6 contains a lengthy addition, with more emphasis on the phrase “unintentional” in verse 3. This version elaborates on the legal procedure of receiving the manslayer into the city, giving a broader description of the process.

In contrast, the LXX version is much shorter and mainly follows the language of Numbers 35 (the Priestly Code), which outlines the establishment of these cities.

The differences between the two versions extend to the overall narrative structure. Scholars suggest that the LXX reflects an earlier form of this chapter, while the MT includes later editorial expansions. These expansions are likely an attempt to harmonize the laws from Deuteronomy 19 and Numbers 35, supplementing additional details that are absent in the LXX.

The Internal Tension in the MT

A critical issue in the MT version is an internal contradiction in chapter 20. According to MT-Joshua 20:4, the manslayer is received into the city of refuge and his case is heard by the elders of the city. However, this same case is brought up again in verse 6, suggesting a duplication in the process. This repetition does not exist in the LXX, where verses 4-5 are notably absent. This discrepancy likely arises from an editorial addition in the MT, which was based on the legal framework outlined in Deuteronomy 19.

The tension is further heightened by the fact that in the MT, the manslayer must remain in the city until he is formally judged by the congregation. This legal requirement adds complexity to the narrative, raising questions about the process of justice and the role of community involvement in legal matters.

Conclusion: Unraveling the History of the Cities of Refuge

The differences between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint provide valuable insights into the development of Biblical law and tradition. The LXX likely preserves an older version of the text, reflecting a simpler legal structure for the cities of refuge, while the MT represents a later, more elaborate legal tradition that incorporates elements from Deuteronomy and Numbers.

References

1. Deuteronomy 4:41-43 - The initial establishment of the cities of refuge by Moses.

2. Joshua 20:7-9 - God's instructions to Joshua regarding the cities of refuge.

3. Numbers 35 - The Priestly Code outlining the legal framework for cities of refuge.

4. Deuteronomy 19 - Additional regulations regarding manslaughter and asylum.

5. Emanuel Tov, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001) – A scholarly resource on the textual differences between the MT and LXX.

6. Michael Avioz, "The Role of Cities of Refuge in the Bible," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2005, Vol 30(2).