Genesis 1
Vulgate, Hebrew, Septuagint, and Yemenite Targum, with notes on 17 verses.
31 verses, in fullGenesis 2
Vulgate, Hebrew, Septuagint, and Yemenite Targum, with notes throughout and cross-verse patterns.
25 verses, in fullGenesis 3
Vulgate, Hebrew, Septuagint, and Yemenite Targum, with notes throughout and cross-verse patterns.
24 verses, in fullGenesis 4
Vulgate, Hebrew, Septuagint, and Yemenite Targum, with notes throughout and cross-verse patterns.
26 verses, in fullVulgate Notes
All four chapters in full, with the notes, in one section.
Genesis 1 + 2 + 3 + 4English of the Vulgate (Douay-Rheims) is given under each Vulgate verse, to make the Vulgate easier to read.
Genesis 1 in four versions — Vulgate, Hebrew (MT), Septuagint, and Yemenite Targum Onkelos — with notes on where they agree and where they part. Sources: Vulgate = the Clementine text; MT = Sefaria Miqra (vocalized, with cantillation); LXX = the Septuagint Greek text; Targum = Onkelos, Yemenite Taj tradition only. TO in the notes = this Yemenite Onkelos. Divine names appear only as ייי and א-להים throughout.
Verses with no published note are given as texts only.
Notes are on the Vulgate: each note starts from a Vulgate word and compares it with the Hebrew, the Septuagint, and Targum. This is not a parallel study in the Genesis 2 sense — the other three versions are given here for comparison, but the notes themselves follow the Vulgate.
Gen 1:1
Vulg. In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) In the beginning God created heaven, and earth.
MT
בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א א-לה֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
LXX ἐν ἀρχῇ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
בְּקַדְמִין, בְּרָא ייי, יָת שְׁמַיָּא, וְיָת אַרְעָא׃
- creavit — "created," Hebrew ברא. Deus stands for א-להים; the ייי the Vulgate translates as Dominus. In my understanding, this follows a Hellenistic tradition: Philo says the ייי is a kingly attribute, while א-להים is the creative one. Caelum is singular, but the Hebrew original is always dual; Rav Saadia Gaon translated it in the plural, السماوات.
Gen 1:2
Vulg. Terra autem erat inanis et vacua, et tenebrae erant super faciem abyssi: et spiritus Dei ferebatur super aquas.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved over the waters.
MT
וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י תְה֑וֹם וְר֣וּחַ א-לה֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם׃
LXX ἡ δὲ γῆ ἦν ἀόρατος καὶ ἀκατασκεύαστος, καὶ σκότος ἐπάνω τῆς ἀβύσσου· καὶ πνεῦμα θεοῦ ἐπεφέρετο ἐπάνω τοῦ ὕδατος.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וְאַרְעָא, הֲוָת צָדְיָא וְרֵיקָנְיָא, וַחֲשׁוֹכָא, עַל אַפֵּי תְּהוֹמָא; וְרוּחָא מִן קֳדָם ייי, מְנַשְּׁבָא עַל אַפֵּי מַיָּא׃
- autem: not the Latin et ("and"), but following the LXX and its understanding of the MT, which translated והארץ as ἡ δὲ γῆ. inanis et vacua render תהו ובהו, which are really hard to translate, but they are similar to the Targum's צָדְיָא וְרֵיקָנְיָא, so this is probably the traditional Jewish translation. See the LXX's ἀόρατος καὶ ἀκατασκεύαστος, which can hint at Platonic philosophy — but the main point is that both words carry a negative aspect of tohu and bohu. faciem follows the MT, as do all the others; only the LXX has "over" or "above." abyssi = the LXX. The Hebrew is tehom; see Sarna on Genesis. ferebatur renders the Hebrew merahefet ("hovering"); see Louis Feldman on Josephus. The Vulgate follows the LXX here.
Gen 1:3
Vulg. Dixitque Deus: Fiat lux. Et facta est lux.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God said: Be light made. And light was made.
MT
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר א-לה֖ים יְהִ֣י א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־אֽוֹר׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός γενηθήτω φῶς· καὶ ἐγένετο φῶς.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, יְהֵי נְהוֹרָא; וַהֲוָה נְהוֹרָא׃
- Fiat lux. Et facta — the Hebrew literally "let be / it should be"; so too Targum Onkelos. The LXX has γενηθήτω, in the passive, "let it become." The Vulgate is very different: "let it be made," and "light was made." I would say this is more corporeal language, whereas the rabbis — and, it seems, Hellenistic Judaism — insisted it was an ideal light.
Gen 1:4
Vulg. Et vidit Deus lucem quod esset bona: et divisit lucem a tenebris.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God saw the light that it was good; and he divided the light from the darkness.
MT
וַיַּ֧רְא א-לה֛ים אֶת־הָא֖וֹר כִּי־ט֑וֹב וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל א-לה֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֥ין הַחֹֽשֶׁךְ׃
LXX καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ φῶς ὅτι καλόν· καὶ διεχώρισεν ὁ θεὸς ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ φωτὸς καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σκότους.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַחֲזָא ייי יָת נְהוֹרָא, אֲרֵי טָב; וְאַפְרֵישׁ ייי, בֵּין נְהוֹרָא וּבֵין חֲשׁוֹכָא׃
- et divisit lucem a tenebris — "light from darkness." In the MT it is "between" them, and so too in the LXX and Targum Onkelos. We can assume this is a stylistic choice in the manner of a commentary.
Gen 1:5
Vulg. Appellavitque lucem Diem, et tenebras Noctem: factumque est vespere et mane, dies unus.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And he called the light Day, and the darkness Night; and there was evening and morning one day.
MT
וַיִּקְרָ֨א א-לה֤ים ׀ לָאוֹר֙ י֔וֹם וְלַחֹ֖שֶׁךְ קָ֣רָא לָ֑יְלָה וַֽיְהִי־עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי־בֹ֖קֶר י֥וֹם אֶחָֽד׃ {פ}
LXX καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ φῶς ἡμέραν, καὶ τὸ σκότος ἐκάλεσεν νύκτα. καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα μία.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּקְרָא ייי לִנְהוֹרָא יְמָמָא, וְלַחֲשׁוֹכָא קְרָא לֵילְיָא; וַהֲוָה רְמַשׁ וַהֲוָה צְפַר, יוֹם חַד׃
- Unus means "one," not "first" — as in all the other translations, except Aquila and Targum Neofiti.
Gen 1:6
Vulg. Dixit quoque Deus: Fiat firmamentum in medio aquarum: et dividat aquas ab aquis.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God said: Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters.
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֔ים יְהִ֥י רָקִ֖יעַ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַמָּ֑יִם וִיהִ֣י מַבְדִּ֔יל בֵּ֥ין מַ֖יִם לָמָֽיִם׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός γενηθήτω στερέωμα ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ ὕδατος, καὶ ἔστω διαχωρίζον ἀνὰ μέσον ὕδατος καὶ ὕδατος· καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, יְהֵי רְקִיעָא בִּמְצִיעוּת מַיָּא, וִיהֵי מַפְרֵישׁ, בֵּין מַיָּא לְמַיָּא׃
- quoque (here "too") renders the waw, ויאמר. firmamentum comes from the LXX's στερέωμα, as do the Three. Interestingly, Josephus and Rav Saadia Gaon use translation wording connected to congealed ice. Origen, in the Hexapla, has expansum solidum; it includes both the Hebrew etymology of raqia (see Sarna) and the LXX. aquas ab aquis — "water from water"; see v. 4. In all the other translations it is "between waters."
Gen 1:7
Vulg. Et fecit Deus firmamentum, divisitque aquas, quae erant sub firmamento, ab his, quae erant super firmamentum. Et factum est ita.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament, from those that were above the firmament, and it was so.
MT
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ א-להים֮ אֶת־הָרָקִ֒יעַ֒ וַיַּבְדֵּ֗ל בֵּ֤ין הַמַּ֙יִם֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ מִתַּ֣חַת לָרָקִ֔יעַ וּבֵ֣ין הַמַּ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֖ר מֵעַ֣ל לָרָקִ֑יעַ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
LXX καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στερέωμα· καὶ διεχώρισεν ὁ θεὸς ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ὕδατος ὃ ἦν ὑποκάτω τοῦ στερεώματος, καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ὕδατος τοῦ ἐπάνω τοῦ στερεώματος.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַעֲבַד ייי, יָת רְקִיעָא, וְאַפְרֵישׁ בֵּין מַיָּא דְּמִלְּרַע לִרְקִיעָא, וּבֵין מַיָּא דְּמֵעַל לִרְקִיעָא; וַהֲוָה כֵן׃
- Et factum est ita. Following the MT; the LXX lacks it.
Gen 1:8
Vulg. Vocavitque Deus firmamentum, Caelum: et factum est vespere et mane, dies secundus.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God called the firmament, Heaven; and the evening and morning were the second day.
MT
וַיִּקְרָ֧א א-לה֛ים לָֽרָקִ֖יעַ שָׁמָ֑יִם וַֽיְהִי־עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי־בֹ֖קֶר י֥וֹם שֵׁנִֽי׃ {פ}
LXX καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στερέωμα οὐρανόν· καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν. καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα δευτέρα.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּקְרָא ייי לִרְקִיעָא, שְׁמַיָּא; וַהֲוָה רְמַשׁ וַהֲוָה צְפַר, יוֹם תִּנְיָן׃
- Caelum, singular — see v. 1.
Gen 1:9
Vulg. Dixit vero Deus: Congregentur aquae, quae sub caelo sunt, in locum unum: et appareat arida. Et factum est ita.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) God also said: Let the waters that are under the heaven, be gathered together into one place: and let the dry land appear. And it was so done.
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֗ים יִקָּו֨וּ הַמַּ֜יִם מִתַּ֤חַת הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ אֶל־מָק֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד וְתֵרָאֶ֖ה הַיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός συναχθήτω τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰς συναγωγὴν μίαν, καὶ ὀφθήτω ἡ ξηρά· καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως. καὶ συνήχθη τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ ὤφθη ἡ ξηρά.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, יִתְכַּנְשׁוּן מַיָּא מִתְּחוֹת שְׁמַיָּא לַאֲתַר חַד, וְתִתַּחְזֵי, יַבֶּשְׁתָּא; וַהֲוָה כֵן׃
- vero for waw (stylistic). locum follows the MT and the Three, but the LXX has συναγωγὴν. Cf. LXX and MT: the Vulgate strictly follows the MT (besides the stylistic vero).
Gen 1:10
Vulg. Et vocavit Deus aridam Terram, congregationesque aquarum appellavit Maria. Et vidit Deus quod esset bonum.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God called the dry land, Earth; and the gathering together of the waters, he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
MT
וַיִּקְרָ֨א א-לה֤ים ׀ לַיַּבָּשָׁה֙ אֶ֔רֶץ וּלְמִקְוֵ֥ה הַמַּ֖יִם קָרָ֣א יַמִּ֑ים וַיַּ֥רְא א-לה֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃
LXX καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν ξηρὰν γῆν, καὶ τὰ συστήματα τῶν ὑδάτων ἐκάλεσεν θαλάσσας· καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּקְרָא ייי לְיַבַּשְׁתָּא אַרְעָא, וּלְבֵית כְּנֵישָׁת מַיָּא קְרָא יַמְמֵי; וַחֲזָא ייי, אֲרֵי טָב׃
- congregationesque — plural "gatherings," a plural collective, following the LXX; the MT has מקוה המים, singular, "gathering of the water."
Gen 1:11
Vulg. Et ait: Germinet terra herbam virentem, et facientem semen, et lignum pomiferum faciens fructum juxta genus suum, cujus semen in semetipso sit super terram. Et factum est ita.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And he said: Let the earth bring forth the green herb, and such as may seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth. And it was so done.
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֗ים תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ דֶּ֗שֶׁא עֵ֚שֶׂב מַזְרִ֣יעַ זֶ֔רַע עֵ֣ץ פְּרִ֞י עֹ֤שֶׂה פְּרִי֙ לְמִינ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעוֹ־ב֖וֹ עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός βλαστησάτω ἡ γῆ βοτάνην χόρτου, σπεῖρον σπέρμα κατὰ γένος καὶ καθ' ὁμοιότητα, καὶ ξύλον κάρπιμον ποιοῦν καρπόν, οὗ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ κατὰ γένος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς· καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, תַּדְאֵית אַרְעָא דִּתְאָה עִסְבָּא דְּבַר זַרְעֵיהּ מִזְדְּרַע, אִילָן פֵּירִין עָבֵיד פֵּירִין לִזְנֵיהּ, דְּבַר זַרְעֵיהּ בֵּיהּ עַל אַרְעָא; וַהֲוָה כֵן׃
- Et ait — the verse is missing א-להים. I would assume this is because it is not the beginning of a day but the continuation of the third day. All the other translations have God at the beginning of the verse. See v. 16: there, we can explain it by the fact that the luminaries are something extraordinary, so the name of God is said there. The Vulgate follows the LXX reading, not the Masoretic break (revia) on deshe.
Gen 1:12
Vulg. Et protulit terra herbam virentem, et facientem semen juxta genus suum, lignumque faciens fructum, et habens unumquodque sementem secundum speciem suam. Et vidit Deus quod esset bonum.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as yieldeth seed according to its kind, and the tree that beareth fruit, having seed each one according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
MT
וַתּוֹצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ דֶּ֠שֶׁא עֵ֣שֶׂב מַזְרִ֤יעַ זֶ֙רַע֙ לְמִינֵ֔הוּ וְעֵ֧ץ עֹֽשֶׂה־פְּרִ֛י אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעוֹ־ב֖וֹ לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וַיַּ֥רְא א-לה֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃
LXX καὶ ἐξήνεγκεν ἡ γῆ βοτάνην χόρτου, σπεῖρον σπέρμα κατὰ γένος καὶ καθ' ὁμοιότητα, καὶ ξύλον κάρπιμον ποιοῦν καρπόν, οὗ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ κατὰ γένος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וְאַפֵּיקַת אַרְעָא דִּתְאָה עִסְבָּא דְּבַר זַרְעֵיהּ מִזְדְּרַע, לִזְנוֹהִי, וְאִילָן עָבֵיד פֵּירִין דְּבַר זַרְעֵיהּ בֵּיהּ, לִזְנוֹהִי; וַחֲזָא ייי, אֲרֵי טָב׃
- juxta genus suum ... secundum speciem suam — the MT has לְמִינֵהוּ both times. Following the MT against the LXX, which adds καὶ καθ' ὁμοιότητα after κατὰ γένος and ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς at the end of the verse, neither of which the Vulgate has. unumquodque — "each one," clarifying the MT's אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ־בוֹ, "whose seed is in it."
Gen 1:13
Vulg. Et factum est vespere et mane, dies tertius.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And the evening and the morning were the third day.
MT
וַֽיְהִי־עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי־בֹ֖קֶר י֥וֹם שְׁלִישִֽׁי׃ {פ}
LXX καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα τρίτη.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַהֲוָה רְמַשׁ וַהֲוָה צְפַר, יוֹם תְּלִיתָי׃
Gen 1:14
Vulg. Dixit autem Deus: Fiant luminaria in firmamento caeli, et dividant diem ac noctem, et sint in signa et tempora, et dies et annos:
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God said: Let there be lights made in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years:
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֗ים יְהִ֤י מְאֹרֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם לְהַבְדִּ֕יל בֵּ֥ין הַיּ֖וֹם וּבֵ֣ין הַלָּ֑יְלָה וְהָי֤וּ לְאֹתֹת֙ וּלְמ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים וּלְיָמִ֖ים וְשָׁנִֽים׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός γενηθήτωσαν φωστῆρες ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰς φαῦσιν τῆς γῆς, τοῦ διαχωρίζειν ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς νυκτὸς· καὶ ἔστωσαν εἰς σημεῖα καὶ εἰς καιροὺς καὶ εἰς ἡμέρας καὶ εἰς ἐνιαυτοὺς·
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, יְהוֹן נְהוֹרִין בִּרְקִיעָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא, לְאַפְרָשָׁא, בֵּין יְמָמָא וּבֵין לֵילְיָא; וִיהוֹן לְאָתִין וּלְזִמְנִין, וּלְמִמְנֵי בְּהוֹן יוֹמִין וּשְׁנִין׃
- et dividant diem ac noctem — "day and night." Above, the Vulgate used "from" for water and light. tempora for the MT's מועדים, which is not really clear what it means here. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan translates "holy days"; the LXX has καιροὺς, "right times" (Brenton translated it as "seasons"); Rav Saadia Gaon has ואוקאתא, "times" — in my view, this can be the hours of the day, since that would then be the last unit in the verse.
Gen 1:15
Vulg. ut luceant in firmamento caeli, et illuminent terram. Et factum est ita.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) To shine in the firmament of heaven, and to give light upon the earth. And it was so done.
MT
וְהָי֤וּ לִמְאוֹרֹת֙ בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
LXX καὶ ἔστωσαν εἰς φαῦσιν ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ὥστε φαίνειν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וִיהוֹן לִנְהוֹרִין בִּרְקִיעָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא, לְאַנְהָרָא עַל אַרְעָא; וַהֲוָה כֵן׃
- ut luceant is a bit different from the MT's וְהָי֤וּ לִמְאוֹרֹת֙, literally "and they will be for light-givers." The Vulgate has, literally, "so that they may shine" — a verb instead of the noun that is in the MT. Here the Vulgate follows the LXX.
Gen 1:16
Vulg. Fecitque Deus duo luminaria magna: luminare majus, ut praeesset diei: et luminare minus, ut praeesset nocti: et stellas.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God made two great lights: a greater light to rule the day; and a lesser light to rule the night: and the stars.
MT
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ א-לה֔ים אֶת־שְׁנֵ֥י הַמְּאֹרֹ֖ת הַגְּדֹלִ֑ים אֶת־הַמָּא֤וֹר הַגָּדֹל֙ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַיּ֔וֹם וְאֶת־הַמָּא֤וֹר הַקָּטֹן֙ לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַלַּ֔יְלָה וְאֵ֖ת הַכּוֹכָבִֽים׃
LXX καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τοὺς δύο φωστῆρας τοὺς μεγάλους, τὸν φωστῆρα τὸν μέγαν εἰς ἀρχὰς τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν φωστῆρα τὸν ἐλάσσω εἰς ἀρχὰς τῆς νυκτός, καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַעֲבַד ייי, יָת תְּרֵין נְהוֹרַיָּא רַבְרְבַיָּא: יָת נְהוֹרָא רַבָּא, לְמִשְׁלַט בִּימָמָא, וְיָת נְהוֹרָא זְעֵירָא לְמִשְׁלַט בְּלֵילְיָא, וְיָת כּוֹכְבַיָּא׃
- luminaria magna is positive in all three: the MT's gedolim, the LXX's megalous. But for the two luminaries themselves the degrees differ: the MT has great and small (gadol... qaton, both positive); the LXX has great and lesser (megan... elassō — the comparative only for the moon); the Vulgate makes the pair comparative throughout (majus... minus, "greater... lesser").
Gen 1:17
Vulg. Et posuit eas in firmamento caeli, ut lucerent super terram,
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And he set them in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth.
MT
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם א-לה֖ים בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם לְהָאִ֖יר עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
LXX καὶ ἔθετο αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ὥστε φαίνειν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וִיהַב יָתְהוֹן ייי, בִּרְקִיעָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא, לְאַנְהָרָא, עַל־אַרְעָא׃
- Et posuit eas — without Deus, where the MT, the LXX, and the Targum all name the divine subject (א-להים / ὁ θεός / ייי). Cf. v. 11.
Gen 1:18
Vulg. et praeessent diei ac nocti, et dividerent lucem ac tenebras. Et vidit Deus quod esset bonum.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
MT
וְלִמְשֹׁל֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם וּבַלַּ֔יְלָה וּֽלְהַבְדִּ֔יל בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֣ין הַחֹ֑שֶׁךְ וַיַּ֥רְא א-לה֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃
LXX καὶ ἄρχειν τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τῆς νυκτὸς, καὶ διαχωρίζειν ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ φωτὸς καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σκότους· καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּלְמִשְׁלַט, בִּימָמָא וּבְלֵילְיָא, וּלְאַפְרָשָׁא, בֵּין נְהוֹרָא וּבֵין חֲשׁוֹכָא; וַחֲזָא ייי, אֲרֵי טָב׃
- dividerent lucem ac tenebras — without "between": the MT has בֵּין הָאוֹר וּבֵין הַחֹשֶׁךְ, and so do the LXX (ἀνὰ μέσον ... ἀνὰ μέσον) and the Targum (בֵּין ... וּבֵין). Cf. v. 4, where the Vulgate likewise renders the division without "between."
Gen 1:19
Vulg. Et factum est vespere et mane, dies quartus.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And the evening and morning were the fourth day.
MT
וַֽיְהִי־עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי־בֹ֖קֶר י֥וֹם רְבִיעִֽי׃ {פ}
LXX καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα τετάρτη.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַהֲוָה רְמַשׁ וַהֲוָה צְפַר, יוֹם רְבִיעָי׃
Gen 1:20
Vulg. Dixit etiam Deus: Producant aquae reptile animae viventis, et volatile super terram sub firmamento caeli.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) God also said: Let the waters bring forth the creeping creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven.
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֔ים יִשְׁרְצ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם שֶׁ֖רֶץ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֑ה וְעוֹף֙ יְעוֹפֵ֣ף עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ עַל־פְּנֵ֖י רְקִ֥יעַ הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός ἐξαγαγέτω τὰ ὕδατα ἑρπετὰ ψυχῶν ζωσῶν καὶ πετεινὰ πετόμενα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κατὰ τὸ στερέωμα τοῦ] οὐρανοῦ· καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי יִרְחֲשׁוּן מַיָּא, רְחֵישׁ נַפְשָׁא חַיְתָא; וְעוֹפָא יְפָרַח עַל־אַרְעָא עַל אַפֵּי רְקִיעַ שְׁמַיָּא׃
- reptile animae viventis, et volatile — singular, following the MT, against the LXX plural ἑρπετὰ ψυχῶν ζωσῶν, πετεινὰ. Aquila and Symmachus likewise singular; Theodotion is mixed — ἑρπετὰ, ψύχας ζώσας plural, but πετεινὸν singular.
Gen 1:21
Vulg. Creavitque Deus cete grandia, et omnem animam viventem atque motabilem, quam produxerant aquae in species suas, et omne volatile secundum genus suum. Et vidit Deus quod esset bonum.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God created the great whales, and every living and moving creature, which the waters brought forth, according to their kinds, and every winged fowl according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
MT
וַיִּבְרָ֣א א-לה֔ים אֶת־הַתַּנִּינִ֖ם הַגְּדֹלִ֑ים וְאֵ֣ת כׇּל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ הַֽחַיָּ֣ה ׀ הָֽרֹמֶ֡שֶׂת אֲשֶׁר֩ שָׁרְצ֨וּ הַמַּ֜יִם לְמִֽינֵהֶ֗ם וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־ע֤וֹף כָּנָף֙ לְמִינֵ֔הוּ וַיַּ֥רְא א-לה֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃
LXX καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὰ κήτη [τὰ μεγάλα καὶ πᾶσαν ψυχὴν [ζῴων ἑρπετῶν ἃ ἐξήγαγεν [τὰ ὕδατα κατὰ γένη αὐτῶν], καὶ πᾶν πετεινὸν πτερωτὸν κατὰ γένος· καὶ εἶδεν ὁ [θεὸς ὅτι καλά].
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּבְרָא ייי, יָת תַּנִּינַיָּא רַבְרְבַיָּא; וְיָת כָּל נַפְשָׁא חַיְתָא דְּרָחֲשָׁא דְּאַרְחִישׁוּ מַיָּא לִזְנֵיהוֹן, וְיָת כָּל עוֹפָא דְּפָרַח לִזְנוֹהִי, וַחֲזָא ייי, אֲרֵי טָב׃
- cete = the LXX; οἱ ἄλλοι (Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion) have τοὺς δράκοντας τοὺς μεγάλους. KJV: "whales." "Sea-monsters" — the Aramaic Bible translation of Targum Onkelos. The Hebrew tanin is not clear, but given that ברא — which would signal something extraordinary — is used here, it points to "sea-monster." See Sarna on Genesis. The Vulgate is not clear, any more than the MT is, as to where the birds were created from — whether from water or something else. In the LXX, the birds were from water. esset bonum — כי טוב, singular, following the MT; the LXX has the plural.
Gen 1:22
Vulg. Benedixitque eis, dicens: Crescite, et multiplicamini, et replete aquas maris: avesque multiplicentur super terram.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And he blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea: and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth.
MT
וַיְבָ֧רֶךְ אֹתָ֛ם א-לה֖ים לֵאמֹ֑ר פְּר֣וּ וּרְב֗וּ וּמִלְא֤וּ אֶת־הַמַּ֙יִם֙ בַּיַּמִּ֔ים וְהָע֖וֹף יִ֥רֶב בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
LXX καὶ ηὐλόγησεν αὐτὰ ὁ θεὸς λέγων αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε τὰ ὕδατα ἐν ταῖς θαλάσσαις καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ πληθυνέσθωσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּבָרֵיךְ יָתְהוֹן ייי, לְמֵימַר: פּוּשׁוּ וּסְגוֹ, וּמְלוֹ יָת מַיָּא בְּיַמְמַיָּא, וְעוֹפָא, יִסְגֵּי בְּאַרְעָא׃
- Benedixitque eis — again without Deus, where the MT, the LXX, and the Targum name the divine subject. avesque multiplicentur — plural, following the LXX (τὰ πετεινὰ πληθυνέσθωσαν), against the MT's singular collective וְהָעוֹף יִרֶב and the Targum's singular וְעוֹפָא יִסְגֵּי. The reverse of v. 20, where the Vulgate kept the MT singular against the LXX plural.
Gen 1:23
Vulg. Et factum est vespere et mane, dies quintus.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And the evening and morning were the fifth day.
MT
וַֽיְהִי־עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי־בֹ֖קֶר י֥וֹם חֲמִישִֽׁי׃ {פ}
LXX καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί ἡμέρα πέμπτη.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַהֲוָה רְמַשׁ וַהֲוָה צְפַר, יוֹם חֲמִישָׁי׃
Gen 1:24
Vulg. Dixit quoque Deus: Producat terra animam viventem in genere suo, jumenta, et reptilia, et bestias terrae secundum species suas. Factumque est ita.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God said: Let the earth bring forth the living creature in its kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth, according to their kinds. And it was so done.
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֗ים תּוֹצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ נֶ֤פֶשׁ חַיָּה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ בְּהֵמָ֥ה וָרֶ֛מֶשׂ וְחַֽיְתוֹ־אֶ֖רֶץ לְמִינָ֑הּ וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός ἐξαγαγέτω ἡ γῆ ψυχὴν] ζῶσαν κατὰ γένος, [τετράποδα] καὶ ἑρπετὰ καὶ θηρία τῆς γῆς κατὰ] γένος, καὶ ἐγένετο [οὕτως].
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, תַּפֵּיק אַרְעָא נַפְשָׁא חַיְתָא לִזְנַהּ, בְּעִיר וּרְחֵישׁ וְחַיַּת אַרְעָא, לִזְנַהּ; וַהֲוָה כֵן׃
- in genere suo ... secundum species suas — the MT has לְמִינָהּ both times, singular, and so do the LXX (κατὰ γένος) and the Targum (לִזְנַהּ); the Vulgate's second "kinds" is plural. Cf. v. 12 for the same genus/species alternation.
Gen 1:25
Vulg. Et fecit Deus bestias terrae juxta species suas, et jumenta, et omne reptile terrae in genere suo. Et vidit Deus quod esset bonum,
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and every thing that creepeth on the earth after its kind. And God saw that it was good.
MT
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ א-להים֩ אֶת־חַיַּ֨ת הָאָ֜רֶץ לְמִינָ֗הּ וְאֶת־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ וְאֵ֛ת כׇּל־רֶ֥מֶשׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה לְמִינֵ֑הוּ וַיַּ֥רְא א-לה֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃
LXX καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὰ [θηρία τῆς γῆς] κατὰ γένος καὶ τὰ κτήνη κατὰ γένος καὶ πάντα τὰ ἑρπετὰ τῆς γῆς] κατὰ γένος αὐτῶν· καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλά.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַעֲבַד ייי יָת חַיַּת אַרְעָא לִזְנַהּ, וְיָת בְּעִירָא לִזְנַהּ, וְיָת כָּל רִחְשָׁא דְּאַרְעָא, לִזְנוֹהִי; וַחֲזָא ייי, אֲרֵי טָב׃
- See v. 21 on esset bonum.
Gen 1:26
Vulg. et ait: Faciamus hominem ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram: et praesit piscibus maris, et volatilibus caeli, et bestiis, universaeque terrae, omnique reptili, quod movetur in terra.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth.
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֔ים נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֛ם בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ וְיִרְדּוּ֩ בִדְגַ֨ת הַיָּ֜ם וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּבְכׇל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּבְכׇל־הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατ' εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθ' ὁμοίωσιν· καὶ ἀρχέτωσαν τῶν ἰχθύων τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῶν κτηνῶν καὶ πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἑρπόντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, נַעֲבֵיד אֲנָשָׁא בְּצַלְמַנָא כִּדְמוּתַנָא; וְיִשְׁלְטוּן בְּנוּנֵי יַמָּא וּבְעוֹפָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא, וּבִבְעִירָא וּבְכָל אַרְעָא, וּבְכָל רִחְשָׁא, דְּרָחֵישׁ עַל אַרְעָא׃
- et ait — without Deus, where the MT, the LXX, and the Targum name the divine subject. praesit — singular, "let him rule," against the MT's plural וְיִרְדּוּ, the LXX's ἀρχέτωσαν, the Targum's וְיִשְׁלְטוּן, and Aquila's ἐπικρατείτωσαν (Field, Hexapla ad Gen 1:26).
Gen 1:27
Vulg. Et creavit Deus hominem ad imaginem suam: ad imaginem Dei creavit illum, masculum et feminam creavit eos.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.
MT
וַיִּבְרָ֨א א-לה֤ים ׀ אֶת־הָֽאָדָם֙ בְּצַלְמ֔וֹ בְּצֶ֥לֶם א-לה֖ים בָּרָ֣א אֹת֑וֹ זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בָּרָ֥א אֹתָֽם׃
LXX καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον, κατ' εἰκόνα θεοῦ ἐποίησεν αὐτόν· ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἐποίησεν αὐτούς.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּבְרָא ייי יָת אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵיהּ, בְּצֶלֶם א-להים בְּרָא יָתֵיהּ: דְּכַר וְנוּקְבָּא, בְּרָא יָתְהוֹן׃
- ad imaginem suam: ad imaginem Dei — twice, following the MT (בְּצַלְמוֹ ... בְּצֶלֶם א-להים) and the Targum, against the LXX, which has the image formula once (κατ' εἰκόνα θεοῦ). Aquila likewise twice (ἐν εἰκόνι αὐτοῦ ... ἐν εἰκόνι θεοῦ; Field, Hexapla ad Gen 1:27).
Gen 1:28
Vulg. Benedixitque illis Deus, et ait: Crescite et multiplicamini, et replete terram, et subjicite eam, et dominamini piscibus maris, et volatilibus caeli, et universis animantibus, quae moventur super terram.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.
MT
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אֹתָם֮ א-להים֒ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לָהֶ֜ם א-לה֗ים פְּר֥וּ וּרְב֛וּ וּמִלְא֥וּ אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְכִבְשֻׁ֑הָ וּרְד֞וּ בִּדְגַ֤ת הַיָּם֙ וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וּבְכׇל־חַיָּ֖ה הָֽרֹמֶ֥שֶׂת עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
LXX καὶ ηὐλόγησεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς λέγων αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε, καὶ πληρώσατε τὴν γῆν καὶ κατακυριεύσατε αὐτῆς, καὶ ἄρχετε τῶν ἰχθύων τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν καὶ πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἑρπόντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּבָרֵיךְ יָתְהוֹן, ייי, וַאֲמַר לְהוֹן ייי פּוּשׁוּ וּסְגוֹ וּמְלוֹ יָת אַרְעָא, וּתְקוּפוּ עֲלַהּ; וּשְׁלוּטוּ בְּנוּנֵי יַמָּא, וּבְעוֹפָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא, וּבְכָל חַיְתָא, דְּרָחֲשָׁא עַל אַרְעָא׃
- Benedixitque illis Deus, et ait — Deus once, following the LXX, against the MT and the Targum, which name the divine subject twice. dominamini piscibus maris, et volatilibus caeli, et universis animantibus — the short list, following the MT, against the LXX, which adds the cattle and all the earth (καὶ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν καὶ πάσης τῆς γῆς) to the list, as in v. 26.
Gen 1:29
Vulg. Dixitque Deus: Ecce dedi vobis omnem herbam afferentem semen super terram, et universa ligna quae habent in semetipsis sementem generis sui, ut sint vobis in escam:
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God said: Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in themselves seed of their own kind, to be your meat:
MT
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר א-לה֗ים הִנֵּה֩ נָתַ֨תִּי לָכֶ֜ם אֶת־כׇּל־עֵ֣שֶׂב ׀ זֹרֵ֣עַ זֶ֗רַע אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י כׇל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֶת־כׇּל־הָעֵ֛ץ אֲשֶׁר־בּ֥וֹ פְרִי־עֵ֖ץ זֹרֵ֣עַ זָ֑רַע לָכֶ֥ם יִֽהְיֶ֖ה לְאׇכְלָֽה׃
LXX καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός ἰδοὺ δέδωκα ὑμῖν πᾶν χόρτον σπόριμον σπεῖρον σπέρμα, ὅ ἐστιν ἐπάνω πάσης τῆς γῆς· καὶ πᾶν ξύλον, ὃ ἔχει ἐν ἑαυτῷ καρπὸν σπέρματος σπορίμου· ὑμῖν ἔσται εἰς βρῶσιν,
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַאֲמַר ייי, הָא יְהַבִית לְכוֹן יָת כָּל עִסְבָּא דְּבַר זַרְעֵיהּ מִזְדְּרַע דְּעַל אַפֵּי כָל אַרְעָא, וְיָת כָּל אִילָנָא דְּבֵיהּ פֵּירֵי אִילָנָא, דְּבַר זַרְעֵיהּ מִזְדְּרַע: לְכוֹן יְהֵי, לְמֵיכַל׃
- universa ligna quae habent in semetipsis sementem generis sui — without "fruit": the MT has פְּרִי־עֵץ זֹרֵעַ זָרַע, "tree-fruit sowing seed," and so do the LXX (καρπὸν σπέρματος σπορίμου) and the Targum (פֵּירֵי אִילָנָא).
Gen 1:30
Vulg. et cunctis animantibus terrae, omnique volucri caeli, et universis quae moventur in terra, et in quibus est anima vivens, ut habeant ad vescendum. Et factum est ita.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And to all beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon. And it was so done.
MT
וּֽלְכׇל־חַיַּ֣ת הָ֠אָ֠רֶץ וּלְכׇל־ע֨וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם וּלְכֹ֣ל ׀ רוֹמֵ֣שׂ עַל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ֙ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֔ה אֶת־כׇּל־יֶ֥רֶק עֵ֖שֶׂב לְאׇכְלָ֑ה וַֽיְהִי־כֵֽן׃
LXX καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς θηρίοις τῆς γῆς καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς πετεινοῖς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ παντὶ ἑρπετῷ τῷ ἕρποντι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὃ ἔχει ἐν ἑαυτῷ ψυχὴν ζωῆς πάντα χόρτον χλωρὸν εἰς βρῶσιν καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וּלְכָל חַיַּת אַרְעָא וּלְכָל עוֹפָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא וּלְכֹל דְּרָחֵישׁ עַל אַרְעָא, דְּבֵיהּ נַפְשָׁא חַיְתָא, יָת כָּל יָרוֹק עִסְבָּא, לְמֵיכַל; וַהֲוָה כֵן׃
- ut habeant ad vescendum — without the gift itself: the MT gives the animals אֶת־כָּל־יֶרֶק עֵשֶׂב לְאָכְלָה, "every green herb for food," and so do the LXX (πάντα χόρτον χλωρὸν εἰς βρῶσιν) and the Targum (יָת כָּל יָרוֹק עִסְבָּא). The Vulgate has only "that they may have to eat."
Gen 1:31
Vulg. Viditque Deus cuncta quae fecerat, et erant valde bona. Et factum est vespere et mane, dies sextus.
Eng. (Douay-Rheims) And God saw all the things that he had made, and they were very good. And the evening and morning were the sixth day.
MT
וַיַּ֤רְא א-להים֙ אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה וְהִנֵּה־ט֖וֹב מְאֹ֑ד וַֽיְהִי־עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי־בֹ֖קֶר י֥וֹם הַשִּׁשִּֽׁי׃ {פ}
LXX καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς τὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν καὶ ἰδοὺ καλὰ λίαν καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί ἡμέρα ἕκτη
Targ. (Yemenite Onkelos)
וַחֲזָא ייי יָת כָּל דַּעֲבַד, וְהָא תָּקֵין לַחְדָּא; וַהֲוָה רְמַשׁ וַהֲוָה צְפַר, יוֹם שְׁתִיתָי׃
- טוב מות — Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 9:5): in Rabbi Meir's scroll, for MT והנה־טוב מאד (and behold, it was very good), was found written והנה טוב מות (and behold, death was good); מאד (very) and מות (death) sounded alike in that period, the final dalet sounding like tav and the aleph not pronounced. LXX καὶ ἰδοὺ καλὰ λίαν, Vulg. et erant valde bona, and Targum והא תקין לחדא all follow the standard "very good" reading.
Chapters
Genesis 1
31 verses, in fullGenesis 2
25 verses, in fullGenesis 3
24 verses, in fullGenesis 4
26 verses, in fullVulgate Notes
Genesis 1 + 2 + 3 + 4© 2026 Ad Fontes. The notes on this page are original commentary; the ancient texts quoted are in the public domain.