Paulus se gebruik van Psalm 68 in Efesiërs 4

Abstract

Paul’s use of Psalm 68 in Ephesians 4 The use of the Old Testament in the New Testament is one of the key issues in the field of intertextuality. Intertextual studies can be fascinating, but sometimes pose difficulties. Solutions are often less obvious. One difficult crux interpretum is found in Ephesians 4:8. Here the New Testament author makes a significant Christological application of Psalm 68:19. In its own context this Old Testament passage relates to the acceptance of (congratulatory) gifts by a victorious Israelite king. Ephesians 4:8, however, relates this passage to the provision of gifts by the victorious and ascended Christ. A comparison between these two verses immediately reveals certain differences. The question underlying this article therefore is: why does the New Testament citation differ on important issues from Psalms 68:19 in its Old Testament context, and what is the significance of these differences?

The Use of Psalm 68(67).19 in Ephesians 4.8: A History of Research

“…More recently Floor and Viljoen (2003: 183-201), in an article titled ‘Paulus se gebruik van Psalm 68 in Efesiërs 4’, have argued that the textual alteration preceded Ephesians and belongs to a tradition that we see also represented within the Targum (thanks to Quinton Ruiters for his assistance in translating this article). They suggest that the author of Ephesians cannot be described as a sloppy exegete of the Psalm because he used a traditional reading associated with the Psalm and adapted it within a new context.…”

“…In this way, the author performed ‘midrash pesher’ exegesis on Psalm 68(67), using it analogically and drawing out a new meaning. However, the new meaning is not exclusive of its original meaning (2003: 198-99). According to Psalm 68(67), God went up to Zion as a triumphant King, worthy to receive gifts for his victories.…”

‘Ascended far above all the heavens’: Rhetorical functioning of Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8–10?

“…Barth 1974bBarth , 1984Floor & Viljoen 2003;Gombis 2005;Harris III 1996;Lincoln 1982Lincoln , 1990Smith 1975;Thielman 2007 To understand the midrash following the citation from Psalm 68 in Ephesians 4:8-10, the interpretation of the 'descent' mentioned in these verses is of vital importance. Directly following onto verse 7, as an opening witness to the utterances in 4:7-16, he quotes and interprets a piece of traditional material from Various attempts have been made, albeit with differing emphases, to find a plausible explanation for the author's reference to Psalm 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8 and its explanation in verses 9-10 (cf.…”