Texts in Conversation
Ephesians 4 contains a quotation from the Greek Septuagint translation of Psalm 4. The Hebrew text conveys a more literal sense of trembling or fear, and the Septuagint interprets it as emotional anger, a reading fully incorporated in Ephesians.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
LXX Psalm 4:5
Septuagint
2 When I called upon him, the God of my righteousness heard me: you have made room for me in tribulation; pity me, and listen to my prayer. 3 you sons of men, how long will you be slow of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek falsehood? Pause. 4 But know you that the Lord has done wondrous things for his holy one: the Lord will hear me when I cry to him. 5 Be angry, and do not sin; feel compunction upon your beds for what you say in your hearts. Pause. 6 Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.
Date: 100–1 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Ephesians 4:26
New Testament
24 and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth. 25 Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. 27 Do not give the devil an opportunity. 28 The one who steals must steal no longer; instead he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need.
Date: 90–100 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The clearest example of the use of the Old Testament in this section is found in Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin,” which is identical in wording to the LXX version of Psalm 4:5 (4:4 in English and Chinese translations), though most modern translation reflect the literal meaning, “to tremble,” of the word used in the Masoretic text ..."
Ronnie Poon, The Use of Psalm 4:4 in Ephesians 4:26 (Alliance Bible Seminary, 2010), 2.
* 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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