Texts in Conversation
Isaiah 63 ends with blood being "splashed on the ground," which the Aramaic translation in the Targum interprets to the “lowest parts of the earth,” a reference to cosmic judgment. Ephesians may have been influenced by a similar Aramaic tradition.
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Isaiah 63:6
Hebrew Bible
5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was shocked because there was no one offering support. So my right arm accomplished deliverance; my raging anger drove me on. 6 I trampled nations in my anger; I made them drunk in my rage; I splashed their blood on the ground.” 7 I will tell of the faithful acts of the Lord, of the Lord’s praiseworthy deeds. I will tell about all the Lord did for us, the many good things he did for the family of Israel, because of his compassion and great faithfulness.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Jonathan Isaiah 63:6
Targum
5 And it is revealed before me, that there is no man whose works are good, and it is known to me, that there is no man who will stand up and pray on behalf of them; yes, I will redeem them by the arm of my strength, and by the Word of my delight I will help them. 6 And I will slay the nations in my anger, and I will tread them down in my fury, and I will cast the slain of their mighty ones into the lowest parts of the earth. 7 The prophet said, I will mention the loving-kindness of the Lord; the praise of the Lord according to all that the Lord has dealt bountifully with us, and His great goodness toward the house of Israel which He has given to them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His loving-kindnesses.
Date: 200-300 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Ephesians 4:9
New Testament
8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men.” 9 Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth? 10 He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.
Date: 60-70 C.E. (If authentic), 90-100 C.E. (If anonymous) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... It is striking that “Edom” does not here occasion a reference to Rome (compare 34:9), even though military “retribution” is the principal issue (verses 1–3). But it may be that Rome is understood as a matter of course, in accordance with Amoraic interpretative habit (compare 34:9 ). In verse 5 (compare also verse 9), there is a clear back reference to the apparently non-messianic theology of vindication which is characteristic of the later meturgeman (compare 59:16) ... On the other hand, the reference to “the lower earth” in verse 6 might be considered by scholars of the New Testament in respect of Ephesians 4:9 ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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