Psalm 2 Semantics

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My king on Zion

Psalm 2

Please note: Resources for Psalm 2 are in the process of being reformatted for visual consistency and improved functionality.

About the Grammar & Semantics Layer

  What is Semantics?

Semantics is the study of how language is used to represent meaning. The goal of semantic analysis for interpreting and translating the Bible is to understand the meaning of words and how they relate to each other in context. We want to understand what is implicit about word meaning – and thus assumed by the original audience – and make it explicit – and thus clear for us who are removed by time, language, and culture. The semantics layer is composed of three major branches: lexical semantics, phrase-level semantics and verbal semantics.

• About Grammar
• About Lexical
• About Phrase-Level
• About Verbal

About the Grammar Layer

The grammar layer visually represents the grammar and syntax of each clause. It also displays alternative interpretations of the grammar. (For more information, click "Show/Hide Grammar Legend" below.)

  Grammatical Diagram Legend

Visualization	Description
	The clause is represented by a horizontal line with a vertical line crossing through it, separating the subject and the verb.
	The object is indicated by a vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the clause. Infinitives and participles may also have objects. If the direct object marker (d.o.m.) is present in the text, it appears in the diagram immediately before the object. If the grammar includes a secondary object, the secondary object will appear after the object, separated by another vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the clause.
	The subject complement follows the verb (often omitted in Hebrew) separated with a line leaning toward the right. It can be a noun, a whole prepositional phrase or an adjective. The later two appear modifying the complement slot.
	When a noun further describes or renames the object, it is an object complement. The object complement follows the object separated by a line leaning toward the right.
	In a construct chain, the noun in the absolute form modifies the noun in the construct form.
	Participles are indicated in whatever position in the clause they are in with a curved line before the participle. Participles can occur as nominal, where they take the place of a noun, predicate, where they take the place of a verb, or attributive, where they modify a noun or a verb similar to adjectives or adverbs.
	Infinitives are indicated by two parallel lines before the infinitive that cross the horizontal line. Infinitive constructs can appear as the verb in an embedded clause. Infinitive absolutes typically appear as an adverbial.
	The subject of the infinitive often appears in construct to it. In this situation, the infinitive and subject are diagrammed as a construct chain.
	The object of the infinitive is indicated by a vertical line that does not cross the horizontal line of the infinitival clause.
	Modifiers are represented by a solid diagonal line from the word they modify. They can attach to verbs, adjectives, or nouns. If modifying a verb or adjective, it is an adverb, but if modifying a noun, it is an adjective, a quantifier, or a definite article. If an adverb is modifying a modifier, it is connected to the modifier by a small dashed horizontal line.
	Adverbials are indicated by a dashed diagonal line extending to a horizontal line. These are nouns or infinitives that function adverbially (modifying either a verb or a participle), but are not connected by a preposition.
	Prepositional phrases are indicated by a solid diagonal line extending to a horizontal line. The preposition is to the left of the diagonal line and the dependent of the preposition is on the horizontal line. They can modify verbs (adverbial) or nouns (adjectival).
	Embedded clauses are indicated by a "stand" that looks like an upside-down Y. The stand rests in the grammatical position that the clause fulfills. Extending from the top of the stand is a horizontal line for the clause. If introduced by a complementizer, for example כִּי, the complementizer appears before the stand. Embedded clauses can stand in the place of any noun.
	When clauses are joined by a conjunction, they are compound clauses. These clauses are connected by a vertical dotted line. The conjunction is placed next to the dotted line.
	Within a clause, if two or more parts of speech are compound, these are represented by angled lines reaching to the two compound elements connected by a solid vertical line. If a conjunction is used, the conjunction appears to the left of the vertical line. Almost all parts of speech can be compound.
	Subordinate clauses are indicated by a dashed line coming from the line dividing the subject from the predicate in the independent clause and leading to the horizontal line of the subordinate clause. The subordinating conjunction appears next to the dashed line.
	Relative clauses also have a dashed line, but the line connects the antecedent to the horizontal line of the relative clause. The relative particle appears next to the dashed line.
	Sentence fragments are represented by a horizontal line with no vertical lines. They are most frequently used in superscriptions to psalms. They are visually similar to discourse particles and vocatives, but most often consist of a noun phrase (that does not refer to a person or people group) or a prepositional phrase.
	In the body of the psalm, a horizontal line by itself (with no modifiers or vertical lines) can indicate either a discourse particle or a vocative (if the word is a noun referring to a person or people group). A discourse particle is a conjunction or particle that functions at the discourse level, not at the grammatical level. Vocatives can appear either before or after the clause addressed to them, depending on the word order of the Hebrew.
	Apposition is indicated by an equal sign equating the two noun phrases. This can occur with a noun in any function in a sentence.

Hebrew text colors
Default preferred text	The default preferred reading is represented by a black line. The text of the MT is represented in bold black text.
Dispreferred reading	The dispreferred reading is an alternative interpretation of the grammar, represented by a pink line. The text of the MT is represented in bold pink text, while emendations and revocalizations retain their corresponding colors (see below).
Emended text	Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is represented by bold blue text, whether that reading is preferred or dispreferred.
Revocalized text	Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is represented by bold purple text, whether that reading is preferred or dispreferred.
(Supplied elided element)	Any element that is elided in the Hebrew text is represented by bold gray text in parentheses.
( )	The position of a non-supplied elided element is represented by empty black parentheses. For example, this would be used in the place of the noun when an adjective functions substantivally or in the place of the antecedent when a relative clause has an implied antecedent.

Gloss text colors
Gloss used in the CBC	The gloss used in the Close-but-Clear translation is represented by bold blue text.
Literal gloss >> derived meaning	A gloss that shows the more literal meaning as well as the derived figurative meaning is represented in blue text with arrows pointing towards the more figurative meaning. The gloss used in the CBC will be bolded.
Supplied elided element	The gloss for a supplied elided element is represented in bold gray text.

About the Lexical Semantics Layer

One major branch of semantic study is lexical semantics, which refers to the study of word meanings. It examines semantic range (=possible meanings of a word), the relationship between words (e.g. synonymy, hyponymy), as well as the relationship between words and larger concepts (conceptual domains). One component of our approach involves not only the study of the Hebrew word meaning, but also of our own assumptions about word meaning in modern languages. Because the researcher necessarily starts with their own cultural assumptions (in our case, those of Western-trained scholars), this part of the analysis should be done afresh for every culture.

For a detailed description of our method, see the Lexical Semantics Creator Guidelines.

• See our growing collection of Venn Diagrams, not only for Psalm 2, but for all of the psalms.
• See SDBH on Psalm 2.

About the Phrase-Level Semantics Layer

The Phrase-level Semantics layer analyses the meaning of syntactic units which are larger than the level of the word and smaller than the level of the clause. Specifically, this layer analyses the meaning of prepositional phrases (e.g., לְאִישׁ), construct phrases (e.g., אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), phrases formed by a coordinating waw conjunction (e.g., אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה) and noun phrases which consist of a noun plus a determiner (e.g., הָאִישׁ) or a quantifier (e.g., כֹּל אִישׁ).

For a detailed description of our method, see the Phrase-level Semantics Creator Guidelines.

  Phrasal Diagram Legend

Visualization	Description
	The prepositional phrase is indicated by a solid green oval.
	The construct chain is indicated by a solid yellow oval.
	When the conjunction ו appears at the phrase-level (not clause-level), it is indicated by a solid light purple oval.
	The article is indicated by a solid blue oval.

About the Verbal Semantics Layer

This sub-layer focuses on the relationship between verbs, time and modality. These are important categories for interpretation and translation, and how one analyses a verb can have a significant effect on how it is rendered. This sub-layer has been through several iterations, as it strives to accomplish two things: (1) Transparency for the native Hebrew structures, and (2) Transparency for the interpretation necessary to translate the verbal semantics into other languages.

For a detailed description of our method, see the Verbal Semantics Creator Guidelines.

  Verbal Semantics Explainer

  Verbal Diagram Legend

Conjugations
qatal	yiqtol-jussive
wayyiqtol (following qatal)*	cohortative
yiqtol	participle
wayyiqtol (following yiqtol)*	wayyiqtol (following participle)*
weyiqtol	inf. construct
weqatal	inf. absolute
*Wayyiqtol is colored a darker version of the conjugation it follows.

Relative tense arrows
Relative tense arrows (placed within the appropriate 'Fut/Pres/Past' column) are color coded according to the conjugation of the verb. The arrows in the table below are colored according to the typical uses of the conjugations.
After/posterior/future	Imminent future	Simultaneous/right now	Recent past	Before/anterior/past
← ←	↤	↓↓↓	↦	→ →

Aspect
	Continuous	Habitual or iterative	Stative	Perfective
Encoded in words	⟲	⟲⟲⟲	⎯	•
Inferable from context	⟲	⟲⟲⟲	⎯	•

Reference point movement
Movement	No movement
⇐	⇍

Modality
indicative	purpose/result
jussive	necessity
imperative	possible
cohortative	probable
wish	ability
(past) conditional	interrogative, etc.

If an emendation or revocalization is preferred, that emendation or revocalization will be marked in the Hebrew text of all the visuals.

Emendations/Revocalizations legend
*Emended text*	Emended text, text in which the consonants differ from the consonants of the Masoretic text, is indicated by blue asterisks on either side of the emendation.
*Revocalized text*	Revocalized text, text in which only the vowels differ from the vowels of the Masoretic text, is indicated by purple asterisks on either side of the revocalization.

Psalm 2 Verbal Semantics

For an overview of the Verbal Semantics of Psalm 2, click the expandable button below.

Psalm 2 Verbal Semantics Chart

(Click diagram to enlarge)

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Contents

v. 1v. 2v. 3v. 4v. 5v. 6v. 7v. 8v. 9v. 10v. 11v. 12

Psalm 2 Semantic Analysis & Diagrams

The following grammatical diagrams are zoomable, and the lexical and phrasal overlays can be toggled on/off. Notes on the semantic layers can be found beneath each verse's diagram.

v. 1

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

Note for v. 1

The interrogative "'why" (לָמָּה) is elided in the second clause. Cf. NLT: "Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?" At least semantically, it is probably implied in the clauses of v. 2 as well.

Note for v. 1

The noun רִיק could either be the direct object of the verb or a nominal adverb. Both interpretations are grammatically possible. For the direct object interpretation, cf. Ps 4:3 (תֶּאֱהָב֣וּן רִ֑יק). See also the numerous examples of הגה taking a similar abstract noun as its object: Isa 59:3 (עַוְלָה); Ps 37:30 (חָכְמָה); Ps 38:13 (וּמִרְמֹות); Prov 8:7 (אֱמֶת); Job 27:4 (רְמִיָּה). For the nominal adverb interpretation, cf. Ps 73:13—אַךְ־רִ֭יק זִכִּ֣יתִי לְבָבִ֑י (also Isa 30:7; cf. the frequently occurring phrase לְרִיק/לָרִיק, Lev 26:16, 20; Isa 49:4; 65:23; Job 39:16). Given the fact that the verb הגה typically takes an object (either a bare noun phrase or a beth prepositional phrase), the direct object interpretation is more likely. If the poet wanted to clearly indicate an adverbial reading, we might have expected לריק.

No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 2:1.

No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 2:1.

No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 2:1.

No Textual notes to display for Psalm 2:1.

v. 2

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 2]
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Subject
            ConstructChain <gloss="earthly kings">
              noun: מַלְכֵי kings
              noun: אֶרֶץ earth
          Predicate
            verb: יִתְיַצְּבוּ take a stand
            Adverbial
              adverb: לָמָּה why <status="elided">
            Adverbial <status="elided">
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    noun: יְהוָה YHWH
              Conjunction
                conjunction: וְ and
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="his anointed one">
                      noun: מְשִׁיח anointed one
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Subject
            noun: רוֹזְנִים rulers
          Predicate
            verb: נוֹסְדוּ have gathered >> have conspired
            Adverbial
              adverb: לָמָּה why <status="elided">
            Adverbial
              adverb: יָחַד together
            Adverbial
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    noun: יְהוָה YHWH
              Conjunction
                conjunction: וְ and
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: עַל against
                  Object
                    ConstructChain <gloss="his anointed one">
                      noun: מְשִׁיח anointed
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
    Fragment <status="alternative">
      particle: סֶלָה Selah <status="emendation"> 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

Note for v. 2

The prepositional phrases "against YHWH and against his anointed" (v. 2c) probably modify both of the preceding clauses (v. 2ab). Implicitly, it modifies the clauses in v. 1 as well.

Note for v. 2

The Septuagint includes "Selah" (Greek: διάψαλμα) at the end of v. 2.

No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 2:2.

No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 2:2.

No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 2:2.

No Textual notes to display for Psalm 2:2.

v. 3

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 3]
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: נְנַתְּקָה let's tear off
            Object
              particle: אֶת
              Nominal
                ConstructChain <gloss="their bonds">
                  noun: מוֹסְרוֹתֵי bonds
                  suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: נַשְׁלִיכָה let's throw
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִמֶּ away from
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: נּוּ us
            Object
              ConstructChain <gloss="their ropes">
                noun: עֲבֹתֵי ropes
                suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 2:3.

No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 2:3.

No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 2:3.

No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 2:3.

No Textual notes to display for Psalm 2:3.

v. 4

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 4]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          Nominal
          Clause
            Predicate
              verb-participle: יוֹשֵׁב one who sits >> one enthroned
              Adverbial
                PrepositionalPhrase
                  Preposition
                    preposition: בַּ in
                  Object
                    article: ה the <status="elided">
                    noun: שָּׁמַיִם heavens
        Predicate
          verb: יִשְׂחָק laughs
          Adverbial <status="elided">
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: לָ at
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
    Fragment 
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אֲדֹנָי the Lord
        Subject <status="alternative">
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH <status="alternative emendation">
        Predicate
          verb: יִלְעַג mocks
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="them">
              Preposition
                preposition: לָ at
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

Note for v. 4

The prepositional phrase "them" (לָמוֹ) appears to modify not only the verb in the b-line (ילעג), but the verb in the a-line as well (ישׂחק). For other instances of שׂחק ל, see Pss 37:13; 59:9.

Note for v. 4

In v. 4b, many manuscripts read יהוה instead of אֲדֹנָי. But אדני, which is attested in our earliest Hebrew manuscript (11Q7), is almost certainly the earlier reading. Scribes are more likely to have changed אדני (which is far less common) to יהוה (which is far more common) rather than the other way around. Furthermore, אדני, which highlights YHWH's superiority, fits the context very well (see esp. the similar context for אדני in Ps 37:13a—אֲדֹנָ֥י יִשְׂחַק־ל֑וֹ). Note also that the earthly kings are called to become YHWH's "servants" in v. 11, i.e., to submit to his lordship and serve him as master.

No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 2:4.

No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 2:4.

No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 2:4.

No Textual notes to display for Psalm 2:4.

v. 5

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 5]
    Fragment
      particle: אָז then
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְדַבֵּר he speaks
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: אֵלֵי to
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְ in
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="his anger">
                    noun: אַפּ anger
                    suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וּ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: יְבַהֲלֵ terrifies
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: מוֹ them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בַ in
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="his wrath">
                    noun: חֲרוֹנ wrath
                    suffix-pronoun: וֹ him 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

No Grammar notes to display for Psalm 2:5.

No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 2:5.

No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 2:5.

No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 2:5.

No Textual notes to display for Psalm 2:5.

v. 6

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 6]
    Fragment
      Conjunction
        conjunction: וַ but
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אֲנִי I
        Predicate
          verb: נָסַכְתִּי have poured out
          Object
            ConstructChain <gloss="my king">
              noun: מַלְכִּ king
              suffix-pronoun: י me
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: עַל on
              Object
                Apposition
                  noun: צִיּוֹן Zion
                  ConstructChain <gloss="my holy mountain">
                    noun: הַר mountain
                    ConstructChain
                      noun: קָדְשִׁ holiness
                      suffix-pronoun: י me 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

Note for v. 6

The waw at the beginning of v. 6 functions at the discourse level "to signal text level disjunction or transition." Specifically, in this case, it connects and contrasts YHWH's response to the nations' speech in v. 3. "The function of this type of speech-initial וְ is to mark a dispreferred response."

No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 2:6.

No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 2:6.

No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 2:6.

No Textual notes to display for Psalm 2:6.

v. 7

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 7]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: אֲסַפְּרָה I will tell
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: אֶל about
              Object
                noun: חֹק decree
              Object
                ConstructChain <status="alternative">
                  noun: חֹק decree
                  noun: יְהוָה YHWH
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: יְהוָה YHWH
        Predicate
          verb: אָמַר said
          Adverbial
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: אֵלַ to
              Object
                suffix-pronoun: י me
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אַתָּה you
        Predicate
          verb: are
          Complement
            ConstructChain <gloss="my son">
              noun: בְּנִ son
              suffix-pronoun: י me 
    Fragment
      Clause
        Subject
          noun: אֲנִי I
        Predicate
          verb: יְלִדְתִּי hereby father
          Object
            suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
          Adverbial <gloss="today">
            article: הַ the
            noun: יּוֹם day 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

Note for v. 7

Depending on how one divides the lines in v. 7ab, "YHWH" may be either the final noun of a construct chain ("...decree of YHWH. He said..." so Targum: קימא דייי; see also the layout in the Aleppo Codex) or the subject of the following clause ("...decree. YHWH said..." so MT accents [ole we-yored]; Aquila[?]: κύριος; Peshitta), or, if "YHWH" is read twice, both the final noun of a construct chain and the subject of the next clause ("...decree of YHWH. YHWH said..." so LXX; Jerome [iuxta Hebr.]). Most of the modern translations consulted group "YHWH" with v. 7a.

• "I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me" (NIV, cf. NRSV, NLT, CSB, CEV, GNT, REB, NET, LUT, HFA, NGÜ, ELB, EÜ, GNB, ZÜR)
• "I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me" (ESV, cf. NJPS)

A decision is difficult. In the absence of any compelling evidence one way or another, we have defaulted to following the reading tradition of the Masoretes.

No Lexical notes to display for Psalm 2:7.

No Phrase-level notes to display for Psalm 2:7.

No Verbal notes to display for Psalm 2:7.

No Textual notes to display for Psalm 2:7.

v. 8

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 8]    
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: שְׁאַל ask
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: מִמֶּ of
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: נִּי me
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: אֶתְּנָה I will make
            Object
              noun: גוֹיִם nations
            Complement
              Nominal
                ConstructChain <gloss="your inheritance">
                  noun: נַחֲלָתֶ inheritance
                  suffix-pronoun: ךָ you
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וַ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: אֶתְּנָה I will make <status="elided">
            Object
              Nominal
                ConstructChain
                  noun: אַפְסֵי ends
                  noun: אָרֶץ earth
            Complement
              ConstructChain <gloss="your property">
                noun: אֲחֻזָּתְ property
                suffix-pronoun: ךָ you 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

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v. 9

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Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 9]
    Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תְּרֹעֵ you will crush
            verb: תִּרְעֵ you will shepherd <status="alternative revocalization">
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="an iron scepter">
                    noun: שֵׁבֶט scepter
                    noun: בַּרְזֶל iron
    Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: תְּנַפְּצֵ you will smash
            Object
              suffix-pronoun: ם them
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: כִּ like
                Object
                  ConstructChain <gloss="clay pottery">
                    noun: כְלִי vessel
                    verb-participle: יוֹצֵר potter 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

Note for v. 9

In v. 9a, the Septuagint says "you will shepherd them” (ποιμανεῖς αὐτούς). This reading, quoted in the Greek text of the NT in Rev. 2:27, 12:5, and 19:15, assumes a different vocalization of the consonantal Hebrew text (תִּרְעֵם) and understands the verb as רָעָה ("to shepherd") rather than רָעַע ("to break"). But the presence of the verb נפץ ("to smash") in the parallel line strongly favors the MT vocalization. Goldingay proposes a deliberate rhetorical ambiguity here, namely, that this line "lays alternative possibilities before the nations—either firm shepherding or devastating destruction."

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v. 10

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Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 10]
    Fragment
      particle: וְעַתָּה and now
    Fragment
      Vocative
        noun: מְלָכִים kings
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: הַשְׂכִּילוּ wise up
    Fragment
      Vocative
        ConstructChain <gloss="earthly rulers">
          noun: שֹׁפְטֵי rulers
          noun: אָרֶץ earth
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: הִוָּסְרוּ accept discipline 
  

Notes

• Grammar
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• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

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v. 11

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SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v.11]
    Fragment
      ClauseCluster
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: עִבְדוּ serve
            Object
              particle: אֶת 
              noun: יְהוָה YHWH
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בְּ with
                Object
                  noun: יִרְאָה fear
        Conjunction
          conjunction: וְ and
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: גִילוּ rejoice
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: בִּ with
                Object
                  noun: רְעָדָה trembling 
  

Notes

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• Textual

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v. 12

Preferred

Glosses Phrase Ellipses Alternatives Full Screen

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 12]
    Fragment
      Clause
        Predicate
          verb: נַשְּׁקוּ kiss
          Adverbial <status="alternative">
            Nominal
              adjective: בַר pure <status="alternative">
          Adverbial <status="alternative">
            PrepositionalPhrase
              Preposition
                preposition: בְ <status="alternative emendation">
              Object
                ConstructChain
                  noun: רַגְלָי feet <status="alternative emendation">
                  suffix-pronoun: ו him <status="alternative emendation">
          Object
            noun: בַר son
            Nominal
              adjective: בַר pure <status="alternative">
        SubordinateClause
          Conjunction
            conjunction: פֶּן or else
          ClauseCluster
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb: יֶאֱנַף he will become angry
            Conjunction
              conjunction: וְ and
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb: תֹאבְדוּ you will perish
                Adverbial <gloss="in your way">
                  noun: דֶרֶךְ way
              SubordinateClause
                Conjunction
                  conjunction: כִּי for
                Clause
                  Subject
                    ConstructChain <gloss="his anger">
                      noun: אַפּ anger
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him
                  Predicate
                    verb: יִבְעַר ignites
                    Adverbial
                      PrepositionalPhrase <gloss="quickly">
                        Preposition
                          preposition: כִּ as
                        Object
                          noun: מְעַט little
    Fragment
      ConstructChain <gloss="Happy are all who take refuge in him">
        Nominal
          noun: אַשְׁרֵי happiness
        ConstructChain
          Nominal
            quantifier: כָּל all
          Nominal
            Clause
              Predicate
                verb-participle: חוֹסֵי those who take refuge
                Adverbial
                  PrepositionalPhrase
                    Preposition
                      preposition: ב in
                    Object
                      suffix-pronoun: וֹ him 
  

Notes

• Grammar
• Lexical
• Phrase-Level
• Verbal
• Textual

Note for v. 12

The word בַר is interpreted by some as an adjective ("kiss the pure one") and by others as an adverb ("kiss purely>>sincerely"). The adverbial interpretation is unlikely since "בַּר occurs nowhere else as an adverb" and "the stem נשקו, moreover, never appears in classical Hebrew without an object." The adjectival interpretation ("pure one") is possible, but it is less likely than the interpretation of the word as a noun meaning (in Aramaic) "son." See The Text and Meaning of Ps 2:12a.

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