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Among the ancient translations, the LXX holds pride of place for textual critics since it reflects a greater number of variants than all the other translations put together. Textual differences between the LXX and the other witnesses of the Hebrew Bible, reconstructed as variants in the underlying Hebrew Vorlagen, are extant in all the books. They are especially remarkable in Samuel, since its Masoretic Text is often corrupt.

The analysis of the character of the LXX in the various books indicates that they share only a limited number of features; it is therefore not appropriate to speak about a Septuagintal text-type, Septuagintal features, or the like. The main element shared by the Hebrew Vorlagen of the books of the LXX is that they were chosen to be rendered into Greek. The only textual feature recognizable in the LXX as a whole, is a large number of small harmonizing additions in the Torah similar to those of the SP and its forerunners found at Qumran (the so-called pre-Samaritan scrolls). Together with smaller textual variants created in the course of the textual transmission of the biblical books, the LXX reflects a sizeable number of editorial differences created in the course of the literary growth of the books.