What is the difference between the Septuagint and Masoretic Texts translations of Genesis?

The Bible is an ancient text that has been translated and interpreted in many different ways over the centuries. One of the most important translations of the Hebrew Bible is the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament that was created in the third century BCE. Another important translation is the Masoretic Text, a Hebrew text that was compiled in the Middle Ages. While both translations contain the book of Genesis, there are some key differences between the Septuagint and Masoretic Texts translations.

One of the most significant differences between the two translations is the length of the book of Genesis. The Septuagint version of Genesis is longer than the Masoretic Text version, containing additional stories and details that are not present in the Masoretic Text. For example, the Septuagint version of Genesis includes a longer version of the story of Noah and the flood, as well as additional genealogies and stories about the patriarchs.

Another difference between the two translations is their approach to translation. The Septuagint was translated from Hebrew to Greek by a group of Jewish scholars, while the Masoretic Text was compiled by Jewish scribes in the Middle Ages. As a result, the Septuagint is often seen as a more literal translation of the Hebrew text, while the Masoretic Text is seen as more interpretive.

Finally, there are differences in the way that the two translations handle certain words and phrases. For example, in the Septuagint version of Genesis, the Hebrew word for "spirit" is translated as "breath," while in the Masoretic Text it is translated as "spirit." Similarly, the Septuagint translates the Hebrew word for "rib" as "side," while the Masoretic Text translates it as "rib."