Psalm 2:9

Psalm 2:9

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

a. NLT: You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’”

b. NIV: You will break them with a rod of ironfn; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

c. Amplified Bible: You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like potters’ ware.

d. Septuagint: Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: You will smash them with an iron rod; you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

1. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron…”

a. [Thou shalt] break [them] [Strong: 7489 ra`a` raw-ah' a primitive root; properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally):--afflict, associate selves (by mistake for 7462), break (down, in pieces), + displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for 7462), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, X indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse.]

b. [with a] rod [Strong: 7626 shebet shay'-bet from an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan:--X correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe.]

c. [of] iron [Strong: 1270 barzel, bar-zel'; perhaps from the root of H1269; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement:—(ax) head, iron.]

2. “…thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

a. [thou shalt] dash them in pieces [Strong: 5310  naphats naw-fats' a primitive root; to dash to pieces, or scatter:--be beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter.]

b. [like a] potters [Strong: 3335 yatsar yaw-tsar'; probably identical with 3334 (through the squeezing into shape); ((Compare 3331)); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution):--X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose.]

c. vessel [Strong: 3627 kᵉlîy, kel-ee'; from H3615; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon):—armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, × one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, whatsoever.]

1). In Revelation 2 Jesus is finishing up his message to the Christian church of Thyatira. What he tells them is directly related to our study in Psalm 2:9.

a).  Revelation 2:26, 27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

2). Comparison of Psalm 2:8, 9 with Revelation 2:26, 27.

a). Psalm 2:8, 9 Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy inheritance.

2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.

b). In these two passages we can see that in Psalm 2 the Father is giving Jesus the Son, the ruler ship over all nations of the earth. Even though He was given that rulership, the nations themselves rejected his rule and He deals with them very sternly, breaking them into pieces with a rod of iron. We also see that those who are faithful to Christ will be given a part of the earth to rule over also.

c). Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

3). I am reminded also of the parable Jesus told in Luke 19.

a). Luke 19:12-27 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. [They are his citizens because they are part of the kingdom inheritance given to him by his Father. Cp. Psalm 2:8]

19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

19:16 Then came to first, saying Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

19:18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19:19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

19:20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

19:23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath teen pounds.

19:25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

19:27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me.

b). The reason for these heathen nations and their geographical areas being “broken” and “dashed” is because they are the “citizens” of Luke 19:14, who “sent a message after him saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” They are the same citizens/heathen who say about the LORD and Christ “Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us.”