What follows is a succinct example of one of the many issues surrounding the controversy of Christian tradition and dogma, replacing so-called Old Testament Law:

You know, often times when we read through the bible, second third and fourth times, etc, things pop out, that were overlooked for years...

For example, have any of you ever noticed how the First Gospel (Matthew) MISQUOTES Isaiah?

Let's note it (Matthew 12:14-21; KJV):

12:14 ¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 12:15 But when Jesus knew [it], he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 12:16 And charged them that they should not make him known: 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

The portion in blue is a quotation taken from Isaiah; let's note it (Isaiah 42:1-4; KJV):

42:1 ¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 42:2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 42:4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

Let's compare the two passages, thought-for-thought:

ISAIAH: Behold my servant,

MATTHEW: Behold my servant,

ISAIAH: whom I uphold; mine elect,

MATTHEW: whom I have chosen; my beloved,

ISAIAH: [in whom] my soul delighteth;

MATTHEW: in whom my soul is well pleased:

ISAIAH: I have put my spirit upon him:

MATTHEW: I will put my spirit upon him,

ISAIAH: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

MATTHEW: and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

ISAIAH: He shall not cry, nor lift up,

MATTHEW: He shall not strive, nor cry;

ISAIAH: nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

MATTHEW: neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

ISAIAH: A bruised reed shall he not break,

MATTHEW: A bruised reed shall he not break,

ISAIAH: and the smoking flax shall he not quench:

MATTHEW: and smoking flax shall he not quench,

ISAIAH: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

MATTHEW: till he send forth judgment unto victory.

ISAIAH: He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth:

MATTHEW: [[ABSENT...]]

ISAIAH: and the isles shall wait for his law.

MATTHEW: And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Let's further break down that last clause:

ISAIAH: the isles

MATTHEW: the Gentiles

ISAIAH: shall wait

MATTHEW: shall...trust

ISAIAH: for his law

MATTHEW: in his name

Isaiah says "LAW" – Matthew says "NAME"

Let's look at the Greek:

"law" = Strong's # 3551 NOMOS {nom'-os}

"name" = Strong's # 3686 ONOMA {on'-om-ah}

NOMOS ("law") – ONOMA ("name")

Thus, it can be demonstrated that this corruption took place within the constructs of the Greek language.  Where the Hebrew Isaiah originally read "shall wait for his LAW," the Greek Isaiah (LXX/Septuagint) reads, "hope in his NAME."

Wait/Trust is a minor Hebrew/Greek translational issue, however Law/Name is an absolute corruption.

Note Sir Lancelot Brenton's English translation of the Greek Septuagint at Isaiah 42:4:

42:4 He shall shine out, and shall not be discouraged, until he have set judgement on the earth: and in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

We realize, then, how the original Hebrew Isaiah, which had read "Law (TORAH)" was corrupted via the Greek language, from "LAW (NOMOS)" into "NAME (ONOMA)".

Matthew 12:21, therefore, we conclude, is MISQUOTING Isaiah 42:4, just as sure as the two passages read contrary in virtually all English Bibles (including the KJV), and just as sure as the corresponding Greek Septuagint corrupted Isaiah 42:4.

As it is with the Septuagint, so it reads with every extant Greek manuscript of Matthew 12:21, exhibiting this same corruption and replacing [Israel's] "law" with [Jesus'] "name". In this fact alone, it stands to reason the misquotation has existed ever since Matthew 12 was first penned.

Finally, as an aside, doesn't it seem rather curious, that of all possible corruptions that could have taken place, this passage just so happens to change the concept of the isles/nations waiting for the Law, into trusting in the name of Jesus?

How's that for a perfect and pointed example of "Gentile"-Pauline Christianity distorting the original words of the Prophets, with notions of Jesus replacing the Law of YAHWEH?  Ask yourself: over how many centuries have hundreds of thousands of Christians (including you and me) read or heard this Gospel passage, never realizing its unfaithful report of "which was spoken by Esaias the prophet"?

Anonymously submitted for your consideration,

To the Law and the Testimony,