Isaiah 61:1–3

Every witness, in order

1. 8th–6th century BC (by section; debated)

   The oracle as first spoken or written

   – No copy survives

   No original survives. The oldest copies of Isaiah are the Qumran scrolls: the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa-a, about 125 BC, nearly complete), 1QIsa-b (1Q8) and some twenty other fragmentary manuscripts.

2. c. 125 BC (palaeography; reported)

   Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa-a), Qumran Cave 1

   ✓ Contains this passageDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

   How the site knows this: Described from a published transcription of the manuscript. Described in the site's own words from Martin Abegg's transcription (ETCBC/CACCHT Dead Sea Scrolls dataset v2.0.5); the transcription itself is not reproduced. Photographs and DJD XXXII not yet checked.

   Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 61:1–3. In v. 1 reads "the Spirit of the LORD" (YHWH alone), without "Adonai" ("Lord"); "he has sent me" written above the line as a correction; "and to bind up" with a conjunction; peqach-qoach ("opening") written as one word. In v. 2 "a day of vengeance" without "and." Otherwise the differences are of spelling (fuller use of vowel letters) and small grammatical forms.

3. 1st century BC (reported)

   4QIsa-b (4Q56), Qumran Cave 4

   ◐ Contains part of itDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

   How the site knows this: Described from a published transcription of the manuscript. Described in the site's own words from Martin Abegg's transcription (ETCBC/CACCHT Dead Sea Scrolls dataset v2.0.5); the transcription itself is not reproduced. Photographs and DJD XXXII not yet checked.

   Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 61:1–3. A fragmentary copy: only parts of these verses survive, and in the transcription much of the passage is restored by the editors. The opening of v. 1 is restored; the rest agrees with the Masoretic Text where it survives.

4. 1st century BC – 1st century AD (reported)

   1QIsa-b (1Q8), Qumran Cave 1

   ◐ Contains part of itDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

   How the site knows this: Described from a published transcription of the manuscript. Described in the site's own words from Martin Abegg's transcription (ETCBC/CACCHT Dead Sea Scrolls dataset v2.0.5); the transcription itself is not reproduced. Photographs and DJD XXXII not yet checked.

   Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 61:1–3. In v. 1 reads "the Spirit of the LORD God" with a different second word (Elohim) and without "Adonai"; vv. 1–2 otherwise as the Masoretic Text, with some words restored.

5. date to be checked in DJD XV

   4QIsa-m (4Q66), Qumran Cave 4

   ◐ Contains part of itDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

   How the site knows this: Described from a published transcription of the manuscript. Described in the site's own words from Martin Abegg's transcription (ETCBC/CACCHT Dead Sea Scrolls dataset v2.0.5); the transcription itself is not reproduced. Photographs and DJD XXXII not yet checked.

   Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 61:1–3. A fragmentary copy: only parts of these verses survive, and in the transcription much of the passage is restored by the editors. The first letters of "Adonai" survive in damaged form, so this copy probably has "the Lord GOD" like the Masoretic Text; otherwise it agrees with the Masoretic Text where it survives.

6. 1st century AD; edition 2010s

   Luke 4:18–19 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)

   ✓ Contains this passageUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)

   How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: the Greek New Testament editions in the library (Textus Receptus, Byzantine Textform, Statistical Restoration).

   “˚Πνεῦμα ˚Κυρίου ἐπʼ ἐμέ, οὗ εἵνεκεν ἔχρισέν με εὐαγγελίσασθαι πτωχοῖς, ἀπέσταλκέν με κηρύξαι αἰχμαλώτοις ἄφεσιν, καὶ τυφλοῖς ἀνάβλεψιν, ἀποστεῖλαι τεθραυσμένους ἐν ἀφέσει, κηρύξαι ἐνιαυτὸν ˚Κυρίου δεκτόν.”

   The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away the crushed in release, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord

   Luke's report of the words Jesus read at Nazareth (the passage is read, not spoken as his own saying). Words attributed to Jesus. KJV: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

7. 1st century AD; edition 2010s

   Luke 4:20–21 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)

   ✓ Contains this passageUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)

   How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: the Greek New Testament editions in the library (Textus Receptus, Byzantine Textform, Statistical Restoration).

   Καὶ πτύξας τὸ βιβλίον ἀποδοὺς τῷ ὑπηρέτῃ, ἐκάθισεν καὶ πάντων οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ ἦσαν ἀτενίζοντες αὐτῷ. Ἤρξατο δὲ λέγειν πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ὅτι “Σήμερον πεπλήρωται ἡ Γραφὴ αὕτη ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ὑμῶν.”

   And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down… And he began to say to them: Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing

   Luke's report of Jesus' words after the reading. Words attributed to Jesus. KJV: "And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."

8. 1st century AD; edition 2010s

   Matthew 11:5 (Greek New Testament; library: Statistical Restoration text)

   ✓ Contains this passageUncertain relationship to the verse (which wording it followed is the question)

   How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: the Greek New Testament editions in the library (Textus Receptus, Byzantine Textform, Statistical Restoration).

   ‘τυφλοὶ ἀναβλέπουσιν’, καὶ χωλοὶ περιπατοῦσιν, λεπροὶ καθαρίζονται, καὶ κωφοὶ ἀκούουσιν, καὶ νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται, καὶ ‘πτωχοὶ εὐαγγελίζονται’.

   the blind see again and the lame walk… and the poor have good news brought to them

   Jesus' answer to John the Baptist's question (Matthew's report; also Luke 7:22). Allusion, not a quotation. Draws on 61:1 and 35:5–6. Words attributed to Jesus. KJV: "The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

9. Jerome c. AD 400, from Hebrew; edition 1592

   Latin Vulgate (Clementine)

   ✓ Contains this passageTranslated from the Hebrew text Jerome used

   How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: Clementine Vulgate (1592 edition).

   Spiritus Domini super me, eo quod unxerit Dominus me; ad annuntiandum mansuetis misit me, ut mederer contritis corde, et prædicarem captivis indulgentiam, et clausis apertionem; ut prædicarem annum placabilem Domino, et diem ultionis Deo nostro; ut consolarer omnes lugentes, ut ponerem lugentibus Sion, et darem eis coronam pro cinere, oleum gaudii pro luctu, pallium laudis pro spiritu mœroris; et vocabuntur in ea fortes justitiæ, plantatio Domini ad glorificandum.

   Latin numbering: Isaiah 61:1–3. Jerome translated Isaiah from Hebrew (c. AD 400).

10. AD 1008

    Masoretic Text (Leningrad Codex)

    ✓ Contains this passageDescends, through lost copies, from The oracle as first spoken or written

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, a digital transcription of the Leningrad Codex.

    ר֛וּחַ אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִ֖ה עָלָ֑י יַ֡עַן מָשַׁח֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֹתִ֜י לְבַשֵּׂ֣ר עֲנָוִ֗ים שְׁלָחַ֙נִי֙ לַחֲבֹ֣שׁ לְנִשְׁבְּרֵי־לֵ֔ב לִקְרֹ֤א לִשְׁבוּיִם֙ דְּר֔וֹר וְלַאֲסוּרִ֖ים פְּקַח־קֽוֹחַ׃ לִקְרֹ֤א שְׁנַת־רָצוֹן֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה וְי֥וֹם נָקָ֖ם לֵאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ לְנַחֵ֖ם כָּל־אֲבֵלִֽים׃ לָשׂ֣וּם ׀ לַאֲבֵלֵ֣י צִיּ֗וֹן לָתֵת֩ לָהֶ֨ם פְּאֵ֜ר תַּ֣חַת אֵ֗פֶר שֶׁ֤מֶן שָׂשׂוֹן֙ תַּ֣חַת אֵ֔בֶל מַעֲטֵ֣ה תְהִלָּ֔ה תַּ֖חַת ר֣וּחַ כֵּהָ֑ה וְקֹרָ֤א לָהֶם֙ אֵילֵ֣י הַצֶּ֔דֶק מַטַּ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה לְהִתְפָּאֵֽר׃

    The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the humble; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to captives and opening to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn (vv. 1–2)

    Hebrew numbering: Isaiah 61:1–3.

11. 1611

    King James Bible

    ✓ Contains this passageTranslated from printed Masoretic Hebrew

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: King James Version (1769 text).

    The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

12. 1611

    Luke 4:18 (King James Version)

    ✓ Contains this passageUncertain relationship to the printed Greek New Testament of 1611 (Textus Receptus)

    How the site knows this: Read in the site's library text: King James Version (1769 text).

    The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

    The KJV's "to heal the brokenhearted" follows later Greek manuscripts (and the Greek of Isaiah 61:1); the oldest manuscripts of Luke lack it, and the library's Greek New Testament omits it.

13. Greek translation c. 2nd century BC; French 1872

    Greek Isaiah (library: Giguet's French)

    ✓ Contains this passageTranslated from the Old Greek Isaiah

    How the site knows this: Known here only through a translation.

    L’Esprit du Seigneur est sur moi; c’est pourquoi il m’a consacré de son onction; il m’a envoyé pour évangéliser les pauvres, guérir les cœurs contrits, annoncer aux captifs la délivrance, et aux aveugles la vue; Pour publier l’année agréable au Seigneur, et le jour de la rétribution, et consoler tous les affligés; Pour donner aux affligés de Sion, au lieu de cendres la gloire; au lieu des larmes, l’onction de la joie; au lieu d’un cœur affligé, un vêtement de gloire; et ils seront appelés générations de justice, plantes du Seigneur pour sa gloire.

    Greek (digital file) numbering: Isaiah 61:1–3. Giguet's 1872 French of a printed Greek text (D check only); a C check needs Ziegler's Göttingen Isaiah or Rahlfs–Hanhart. V. 1 has "heal the brokenhearted" and "sight to the blind"; v. 2 "the day of retribution." Ziegler's Greek reportedly has "to call (kalesai) the acceptable year," where Luke has "to proclaim" (C check).