A scripture quotation that isn't quite accurate?

Psalm 68:18

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Ephesians 4:8

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

This is a challenging and intriguing pair of verses! There appears to be a contradiction the original quotation from Psalms and the way Paul quoted it in Ephesians. I have looked up usages of the main verb in Psalm 68:18, and notice it was sometimes translated as "fetch"; I have to wonder if the context of this passage doesn't require a similar translation. Given that the passage is clearly Messianic in message, and alludes to a conquering King who RECEIVES tribute or spoils, it is fair to infer that these gifts are then also GIVEN to the soldiers and followers of that King. I could imagine using this verse to support the proverbial teaching that "the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." This is the kind of shade of meaning that could be lost in translation.

Yet, even this reading does not explain Paul's translation of the verse. Rather than discussing how the gifts are REDISTRIBUTED from some people to other people, the apostle is clearly using the quotation to support his argument that there are gifts that were bestowed directly from the Father to the Church. I cannot explain how this doesn't
distort the original intent of the psalmist. Nevertheless, I hold firmly to the plenary verbal inspiration of scripture. I do not believe the Holy Spirit would allow Paul to misquote
Psalm 68:18 in his epistle.

Can anyone otherwise help explain this inconsistency?

0 members like this