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Selected Verse: Psalms 2:2 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 2:2	Strong Concordance	The kings [04428] of the earth [0776] set [03320] themselves, and the rulers [07336] take counsel [03245] together [03162], against the LORD [03068], and against his anointed [04899], saying,
	King James	The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
The kings and rulers lead on their subjects. set themselves--take a stand. take counsel--literally, "sit together," denoting their deliberation. anointed--Hebrew, "Messiah"; Greek, "Christ" (Joh 1:41). Anointing, as an emblem of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, was conferred on prophets (Isa 6:1); priests (Exo 30:30); and kings (Sa1 10:1; Sa1 16:13; Kg1 1:39). Hence this title well suited Him who holds all these offices, and was generally used by the Jews before His coming, to denote Him (Dan 9:26). While the prophet has in view men's opposition generally, he here depicts it in its culminating aspect as seen in the events of Christ's great trial. Pilate and Herod, and the rulers of the Jews (Mat 27:1; Luke 23:1-25), with the furious mob, are vividly portrayed.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

The kings and rulers lead on their subjects.

set themselves--take a stand.

take counsel--literally, "sit together," denoting their deliberation.

anointed--Hebrew, "Messiah"; Greek, "Christ" (Joh 1:41). Anointing, as an emblem of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, was conferred on prophets (Isa 6:1); priests (Exo 30:30); and kings (Sa1 10:1; Sa1 16:13; Kg1 1:39). Hence this title well suited Him who holds all these offices, and was generally used by the Jews before His coming, to denote Him (Dan 9:26). While the prophet has in view men's opposition generally, he here depicts it in its culminating aspect as seen in the events of Christ's great trial. Pilate and Herod, and the rulers of the Jews (Mat 27:1; Luke 23:1-25), with the furious mob, are vividly portrayed.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The kings of the earth - This verse is designed to give a more specific form to the general statement in Psa 2:1. In the first verse the psalmist sees a general commotion among the nations as engaged in some plan that he sees must be a vain one; here he describes more particularly the cause of the excitement, and gives a nearer view of what is occurring. He now sees kings and rulers engaged in a specific and definite plot against Yahweh and against His Anointed. The word "kings" here is a general term, which would be applicable to all rulers - as the kingly government was the only one then known, and the nations were under the control of absolute monarchs. A sufficient fulfillment would be found, however, if any rulers were engaged in doing what is here described. Set themselves - Or, take their stand. The latter expression would perhaps better convey the sense of the original. It is the idea of taking a stand, or of setting themselves in array, which is denoted by the expression; - they combine; they resolve; they are fixed in their purpose. Compare Exo 2:4; Exo 19:17; Exo 34:5. The attitude here is that of firm or determined resistance. And the rulers - A slight addition to the word kings. The sense is, that there was a general combination among all classes of rulers to accomplish what is here specified. It was not confined to any one class. Take counsel together - Consult together. Compare Psa 31:13, "While they took counsel together against me." The word used here, יחד yachad, means properly to found, to lay the foundation of, to establish; then, to be founded (Niphal); to support oneself; to lean upon - as, for example, to lean upon the elbow. Thus used, it is employed with reference to persons reclining or leaning upon a couch or cushion, especially as deliberating together, as the Orientals do in the divan or council. Compare the notes at Psa 83:3. The idea here is that of persons assembled to deliberate on an important matter. Against the Lord - Against Jehovah - the small capitals of "Lord" in our common version indicating that the original word is Yahweh. The meaning is, that they were engaged in deliberating against Yahweh in respect to the matter here referred to - to wit, his purpose to place the "Anointed One," his King (Psa 2:6), on the hill of Zion. It is not meant that they were in other respects arrayed against him, though it is true in fact that opposition to God in one respect may imply that there is an aversion to him in all respects, and that the same spirit which would lead men to oppose him in any one of his purposes would, if carried out, lead them to oppose him in all things. And against his Anointed - - משׁיחו meshı̂ychô - his Messiah: hence, our word Messiah, or Christ. The word means "Anointed," and the allusion is to the custom of anointing kings and priests with holy oil when setting them apart to office, or consecrating them to their work. Compare Mat 1:1, note; Dan 9:26, note. The word Messiah, or Anointed, is therefore of so general a character in its signification that its mere use would not determine to whom it was to be applied - whether to a king, to a priest, or to the Messiah properly so called. The reference is to be determined by something in the connection. All that the word here necessarily implies is, that there was some one whom Yahweh regarded as his Anointed one, whether king or priest, against whom the rulers of the earth had arrayed themselves. The subsequent part of the psalm Psa 2:6-7 enables us to ascertain that the reference here is to one who was a King, and that he sustained to Yahweh the relation of a Son. The New Testament, and the considerations suggested in the introduction to the psalm (Section 4), enable us to understand that the reference is to the Messiah properly so called - Jesus of Nazareth. This is expressly declared Act 4:25-27 to have had its fulfillment in the purposes of Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, in rejecting the Saviour and putting him to death. No one can doubt that all that is here stated in the psalm had a complete fulfillment in their combining to reject him and to put him to death; and we are, therefore, to regard the psalm as particularly referring to this transaction. Their conduct was, however, an illustration of the common feelings of rulers and people concerning him, and it was proper to represent the nations in general as in commotion in regard to him.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

The kings of the earth - This verse is designed to give a more specific form to the general statement in Psa 2:1. In the first verse the psalmist sees a general commotion among the nations as engaged in some plan that he sees must be a vain one; here he describes more particularly the cause of the excitement, and gives a nearer view of what is occurring. He now sees kings and rulers engaged in a specific and definite plot against Yahweh and against His Anointed. The word "kings" here is a general term, which would be applicable to all rulers - as the kingly government was the only one then known, and the nations were under the control of absolute monarchs. A sufficient fulfillment would be found, however, if any rulers were engaged in doing what is here described.

Set themselves - Or, take their stand. The latter expression would perhaps better convey the sense of the original. It is the idea of taking a stand, or of setting themselves in array, which is denoted by the expression; - they combine; they resolve; they are fixed in their purpose. Compare Exo 2:4; Exo 19:17; Exo 34:5. The attitude here is that of firm or determined resistance.

And the rulers - A slight addition to the word kings. The sense is, that there was a general combination among all classes of rulers to accomplish what is here specified. It was not confined to any one class.

Take counsel together - Consult together. Compare Psa 31:13, "While they took counsel together against me." The word used here, יחד yachad, means properly to found, to lay the foundation of, to establish; then, to be founded (Niphal); to support oneself; to lean upon - as, for example, to lean upon the elbow. Thus used, it is employed with reference to persons reclining or leaning upon a couch or cushion, especially as deliberating together, as the Orientals do in the divan or council. Compare the notes at Psa 83:3. The idea here is that of persons assembled to deliberate on an important matter.

Against the Lord - Against Jehovah - the small capitals of "Lord" in our common version indicating that the original word is Yahweh. The meaning is, that they were engaged in deliberating against Yahweh in respect to the matter here referred to - to wit, his purpose to place the "Anointed One," his King (Psa 2:6), on the hill of Zion. It is not meant that they were in other respects arrayed against him, though it is true in fact that opposition to God in one respect may imply that there is an aversion to him in all respects, and that the same spirit which would lead men to oppose him in any one of his purposes would, if carried out, lead them to oppose him in all things.

And against his Anointed - - משׁיחו meshı̂ychô - his Messiah: hence, our word Messiah, or Christ. The word means "Anointed," and the allusion is to the custom of anointing kings and priests with holy oil when setting them apart to office, or consecrating them to their work. Compare Mat 1:1, note; Dan 9:26, note. The word Messiah, or Anointed, is therefore of so general a character in its signification that its mere use would not determine to whom it was to be applied - whether to a king, to a priest, or to the Messiah properly so called. The reference is to be determined by something in the connection. All that the word here necessarily implies is, that there was some one whom Yahweh regarded as his Anointed one, whether king or priest, against whom the rulers of the earth had arrayed themselves. The subsequent part of the psalm Psa 2:6-7 enables us to ascertain that the reference here is to one who was a King, and that he sustained to Yahweh the relation of a Son. The New Testament, and the considerations suggested in the introduction to the psalm (Section 4), enable us to understand that the reference is to the Messiah properly so called - Jesus of Nazareth. This is expressly declared Act 4:25-27 to have had its fulfillment in the purposes of Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, in rejecting the Saviour and putting him to death. No one can doubt that all that is here stated in the psalm had a complete fulfillment in their combining to reject him and to put him to death; and we are, therefore, to regard the psalm as particularly referring to this transaction. Their conduct was, however, an illustration of the common feelings of rulers and people concerning him, and it was proper to represent the nations in general as in commotion in regard to him.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The kings - Herod, and Pilate and others with or after them. Earth - So called in way of contempt and to shew their madness in opposing the God of heaven. Set - The word denotes the combination of their counsels and forces. Anointed - Against the king whom God hath chosen and exalted.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Against his anointed - על משיחיה al Meshichiah, "Against his Messiah." - Chaldee. But as this signifies the anointed person, it may refer first to David, as it does secondly to Christ.

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¹ When [1161] the morning [4405] was come [1096], all [3956] the chief priests [749] and [2532] elders [4245] of the people [2992] took [2983] counsel [4824] against [2596] Jesus [2424] to [5620] put [2289] him [846] to death [2289]:

²⁶ And after [0310] threescore [08346] and two [08147] weeks [07620] shall Messiah [04899] be cut off [03772], but not for himself: and the people [05971] of the prince [05057] that shall come [0935] shall destroy [07843] the city [05892] and the sanctuary [06944]; and the end [07093] thereof shall be with a flood [07858], and unto the end [07093] of the war [04421] desolations [08074] are determined [02782].

³⁹ And Zadok [06659] the priest [03548] took [03947] an horn [07161] of oil [08081] out of the tabernacle [0168], and anointed [04886] Solomon [08010]. And they blew [08628] the trumpet [07782]; and all the people [05971] said [0559], God save [02421] king [04428] Solomon [08010].

¹³ Then Samuel [08050] took [03947] the horn [07161] of oil [08081], and anointed [04886] him in the midst [07130] of his brethren [0251]: and the Spirit [07307] of the LORD [03068] came [06743] upon David [01732] from that day [03117] forward [04605]. So Samuel [08050] rose up [06965], and went [03212] to Ramah [07414].

¹ Then Samuel [08050] took [03947] a vial [06378] of oil [08081], and poured [03332] it upon his head [07218], and kissed [05401] him, and said [0559], Is it not because the LORD [03068] hath anointed [04886] thee to be captain [05057] over his inheritance [05159]?

³⁰ And thou shalt anoint [04886] Aaron [0175] and his sons [01121], and consecrate [06942] them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office [03547].

¹ In the year [08141] that king [04428] Uzziah [05818] died [04194] I saw [07200] also [0853] the Lord [0136] sitting [03427] upon a throne [03678], high [07311] and lifted up [05375], and his train [07757] filled [04392] [0853] the temple [01964].

⁴¹ He [3778] first [4413] findeth [2147] his own [2398] brother [80] Simon [4613], and [2532] saith [3004] unto him [846], We have found [2147] the Messias [3323], which [3739] is [2076], being interpreted [3177], the Christ [5547].

²⁵ Who [3588] by [1223] the mouth [4750] of thy [4675] servant [3816] David [1138] hast said [2036], Why [2444] did [5433] the heathen [1484] rage [5433], and [2532] the people [2992] imagine [3191] vain things [2756]?
²⁶ The kings [935] of the earth [1093] stood up [3936], and [2532] the rulers [758] were gathered [4863] together [1909] [846] against [2596] the Lord [2962], and [2532] against [2596] his [846] Christ [5547].
²⁷ For [1063] of [1909] a truth [225] against [1909] thy [4675] holy [40] child [3816] Jesus [2424], whom [3739] thou hast anointed [5548], both [5037] Herod [2264], and [2532] Pontius [4194] Pilate [4091], with [4862] the Gentiles [1484], and [2532] the people [2992] of Israel [2474], were gathered together [4863],

⁶ Yet have I set [05258] my king [04428] upon my holy [06944] hill [02022] of Zion [06726].
⁷ I will declare [05608] the decree [02706]: the LORD [03068] hath said [0559] unto me, Thou art my Son [01121]; this day [03117] have I begotten [03205] thee.

¹ The book [976] of the generation [1078] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], the son [5207] of David [1138], the son [5207] of Abraham [11].

⁶ Yet have I set [05258] my king [04428] upon my holy [06944] hill [02022] of Zion [06726].

³ They have taken crafty [06191] counsel [05475] against thy people [05971], and consulted [03289] against thy hidden ones [06845].

¹³ For I have heard [08085] the slander [01681] of many [07227]: fear [04032] was on every side [05439]: while they took counsel [03245] together [03162] against me, they devised [02161] to take away [03947] my life [05315].

⁵ And the LORD [03068] descended [03381] in the cloud [06051], and stood [03320] with him there, and proclaimed [07121] the name [08034] of the LORD [03068].

¹⁷ And Moses [04872] brought forth [03318] the people [05971] out of the camp [04264] to meet [07125] with God [0430]; and they stood [03320] at the nether [08482] part of the mount [02022].

⁴ And his sister [0269] stood [03320] afar off [07350], to wit [03045] what would be done [06213] to him.

¹ Why do the heathen [01471] rage [07283], and the people [03816] imagine [01897] a vain thing [07385]?