Psalm 2:7-8

Psalm 2:7-8
Narrative Lectionary 121

BibleHub

I will tellA of the decreeB of the Lord:C

Notes on verse 7a

A “tell” = saphar. From sepher (writing, document, book, evidence). This is properly to tally or record something. It can be enumerate, recount, number, celebrate, or declare.
B “decree” = choq. From chaqaq (to inscribe, carve, or decree; a lawmaker; literally, this is engraving, but it implies enacting a law because laws were carved into stone or metal). This is statute, boundary, condition, custom, limit, ordinance It is something that is prescribed or something that is owed.
C “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.

He said to me, “You are my son;D
    todayE I have begottenF you.

Notes on verse 7b

D “son” = ben. From banah (to build or obtain children). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense.
E “today” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.
F “begotten” = yalad. This is to bear or bring forth. It can mean to act as midwife or to show one’s lineage. This is often used for birth or begetting.

AskG of me, and I will makeH the nationsI your heritageJ

Notes on verse 8a

G “ask” = shaal. This is to ask, inquire, beg, borrow, desire, request. It can also mean to demand.
H “make” = natan. This is to give, put, set, offer. It is to give literally or figuratively.
I “nations” = goy. From the same root as gevah (the back, person, or body); related to gev (among); related to gaah (to rise up). This is nation or people. Often used to refer to Gentiles or foreign nations. It can also be used figuratively for a group of animals. This is where the Yiddish “goy” comes from.
J “heritage” = nachalah. Related to nachal (to inherit, occupy, distribute, take as heritage). This is properly something that was inherited. It can mean occupancy generally or, more particularly, an heirloom or an estate. This can be an inheritance, gift, possession, or portion.

    and the endsK of the earthL your possession.M

Notes on verse 8b

K “ends” = ephes. From aphes (to finish, fail, stop, come to nothing, disappear). This is an end, ceasing, no further. It is often used to refer to the ends of the earth.
L “earth” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.
M “possession” = achuzzah. From achaz (to grasp, catch, seize, take and hold in possession). This is a possession, particularly used of land.


Image credit: “A view of the earth from the Moon with no atmosphere in the way” by ClaraDon, 2011.

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply