διὀ λέγει. Cf. Ephesians 5:14. Supply ἡ γραφὴ as in Romans 4:3; Romans 9:17; Romans 10:11; Romans 11:2; Galatians 4:30; 1 Timothy 5:18. Similarly indeterminate are Romans 9:25; Romans 10:8; Romans 15:10; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Galatians 3:16. The quotation is introduced to give definiteness to the conception of the bounty of the Christ. It is true that only two words, ἀνέβη and ἔδωκεν, are selected for special illustration; it does not, however, follow that the rest of the quotation is otiose.

Ἀναβὰς κ.τ.λ. The quotation from Psalms 68(67):19 differs in two respects from the Hebrew and LXX.: (1) by the substitution of the third person for the second (cf. א and Just.); (2) ἔδωκεν δόματα τοῖς� takes the place of ἔλαβες δόματα ἐν� (or ἀνθρώποις). The Psalm describes the triumphal ascent (or return) of the Ark to Zion followed by a train of captives and tributary gifts. Following apparently a current Targum, St Paul assumes that the spoils were to be distributed by the conqueror as largesse to his people. The passage as a whole then supplies him with a vivid anticipation of the Ascension of the Christ. It is worth notice (1) that the gifts which St Paul has in mind are men qualified to fulfil special functions in the Church on behalf of humanity; (2) that in 2 Corinthians 2:14 St Paul regards himself and the other preachers of the Gospel as prisoners following the chariot of a conqueror in his triumphal procession; (3) that these thoughts would give especial point to αἰχμαλωσίαν and to τοῖς� in the quotation as St Paul gives it. The clause that follows in the Hebrew וְאַף סוֹרְרִים לִשְׁכֹּן יָהּ אֱלֹהִים is obscure, but the reference to the dwelling of God with men is a marked feature in the context (Ephesians 4:16 f.), and would give the quotation further point in view of Ephesians 2:22.

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Old Testament