There are some differences between
the versions that may have been available in Matthew’s time, but hardly one of
these seems to affect the possibility of messianic interpretation. There is
perhaps one exception: the Hebrew ברמה is rendered in Matthew and LXX B by εν ‘Ραμα, “in Ramah”, while LXX A reads εν τη υψηλη, “in the heigh”, and Aquila has
(according to ms. 86) εν υψηλη (the same interpretation is found
in Tg. And Vg.). The Greek has translation emphasizes that God hears the
lament: “A voice was heard in the height”, that is, in heaven (cf. Heb 1,3).
However, Matthew very probably found a text with a geographical name; otherwise
it is incomprehensible why he used the verse from Jeremiah at all, and even
slightly adapted the preceding narrative to it. (M.J.J. Menken “Messianic
Interpretation of Greek Old Testament Passages in Matthew’s Fulfilment
Quotations,” in M.A. Knibb, ed., The Septuagint and Messianism [Bibliotheca
Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium 195; Leuven: Leuven University Press,
2006], 468)
