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Acts 1:20b to Psalms 109:8

NT Text: Acts 1:20

OT Source(s):

  • Psalms 109:8 ("May his days be few; may another take his position")

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Reference Type: Direct Quotation

Connection Method(s): Typology (Direct Type, Forward-Looking) + Analogy

Significance: Peter's second citation from "the book of Psalms" in Acts 1:20 quotes Ps 109:8 to justify replacing Judas: "May another take his position" (labeto ho heteros tēn episkopēn autou). Psalm 109 is David's imprecatory psalm against a treacherous betrayer, and the word episkopē ("position," "office," "oversight") in the LXX here gives Peter's application of it to the apostolic office (episkopē) its terminological grounding — the Twelve hold an episkopē (Acts 1:20) that can pass to another just as David prayed for the betrayer's office to transfer. The combination of Ps 69:25 and Ps 109:8 in a single citation unit demonstrates the apostolic method of reading the Davidic psalms typologically: David's enemies who betrayed him prefigured Judas who betrayed Christ, and God's prescribed response to such treachery (desolation of place, transfer of office) becomes the scriptural warrant for the community's actions.


Hermeneutical Notes

NT Use Pattern: Assimilated — Second half of the composite Psalm 69:25 + Psalm 109:8 quotation at Acts 1:20 — Peter blends two imprecation psalms for the apostolic-replacement logic.