The Use of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8 in Light of the Ancient Versions -- By: Richard A. Taylor

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 148:591 (Jul 1991)
Article: The Use of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8 in Light of the Ancient Versions
Author: Richard A. Taylor


The Use of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8 in Light of the Ancient Versions

Richard A. Taylor

Professor of Old Testament Studies
Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas

The use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, while posing difficulties that tax the patience and skill of biblical interpreters, is nonetheless a field of research that holds a certain fascination for many. Perhaps one reason for this is the variety of issues and concerns related to the New Testament use of the Old Testament. These include text-critical issues, hermeneutical issues, exegetical issues, theological issues, and even occasionally canonical issues. The problems are many, and solutions are often less than obvious.

One difficult crux interpretum appears in Ephesians 4:8. Here the New Testament makes a significant Christological application of Psalm 68:18, an Old Testament passage that in its context relates to the acceptance of congratulatory gifts on the part of a victorious Israelite king. Ephesians 4:8, however, relates the passage to the provision of gifts of ministry within the church on the part of the victorious and ascended Christ. The relevant texts are as follows:

Psalm 68:18 (19, Heb.)

Ephesians 4:8

עָלִיתָ לַמָּרוֹם

ἀναβὰς εἰς ὕψος

שָׁבִיתָ שֶּׁבִי

ᾐχμαλώτευσεν αἰχμαλωσίαν,

לָקַחְתָּ מַתָּנוֹת בָּאָדָם

ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.

“You ascended on high;

“Having ascended on high

you led captives captive;

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