Psalms 2:5 — Word Study
WLCאָ֤ז יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ בְאַפּ֑וֹ וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃
BSAThenʼâz [at that time, in His wrath] He rebukesdâbar▸ [speaks to, admonishes] themʼêl in His angerʼaph [burning anger, fierce wrath] and terrifies thembâhal▸ [vexes, troubles] in His furychârôwn [sore displeasure, intense indignation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אָ֤ז | then | Adverb |
| יְדַבֵּ֣ר | he speaks | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ | to them | Preposition, suffix |
| בְאַפּ֑וֹ | in anger his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ | and in fury his | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃ | he terrifies them | Verb piel imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury: |
| KJV | Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. |
| ASV | Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure: |
| YLT | Then doth He speak unto them in His anger, And in His wrath He doth trouble them: |
| WEB | Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: |
| BBE | Then will his angry words come to their ears, and by his wrath they will be troubled: |
Where they part company is אָ֤ז — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by two phrases that elaborate on the manner of God's actions, emphasizing the intensity of His emotions.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbדָבַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 2:5
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Response to Rebelliongenerated
Psalm 2:5 describes how God reacts to the rebellion of nations and rulers. He does not remain passive; instead, He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His fury. This verse highlights God's authority and the seriousness of opposing Him, setting the stage for His ultimate plan as expressed in the following verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 50:16–22 | To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips? |
| 2 | Isaiah 11:4 | but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. |
| 3 | Isaiah 66:6 | Hear the uproar from the city; listen to the voice from the temple! It is the voice of the LORD, repaying His enemies what they deserve! |
| 4 | Matthew 22:7 | The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. |
| 5 | Matthew 23:33–36 | You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ, ye.va.ha.Le.movgenerated
The verb יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ (yevaḥalēmō) is a Piel form, indicating an action that causes distress or alarm. It is in the imperfect tense, suggesting ongoing or future action, meaning 'He terrifies them'. This word captures the suddenness and intensity of God's response to rebellion.
The root בָּהַל (bahal) conveys a sense of disturbance or agitation. In this context, it emphasizes the fear and dismay that God instills in those who oppose Him. The choice of this verb underscores the seriousness of divine judgment.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has terrifies, which aligns with the KJV and ASV: all three maintain the sense of causing alarm.
Where others part company with the BSB, they differ on the rendering of יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ. The YLT uses dismays, while the WEB opts for frightens, both capturing the essence of the original Hebrew.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb governing the verse is יְדַבֵּ֣ר (he speaks), which is followed by two phrases: a prepositional phrase indicating the direction of the speech and another verb phrase indicating the action taken towards the subjects. The structure emphasizes God's active role in addressing the nations.
The arrangement of the Hebrew words places emphasis on God's anger and fury, which are highlighted through the use of prepositional phrases. This structure conveys the seriousness of the rebuke and the terrifying nature of His response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אָ֤ז as τότε (tote), meaning 'then' or 'at that time', which maintains the temporal aspect of the Hebrew. This choice aligns with the context of God's immediate response to rebellion.
For יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ, the LXX uses αὐτούς (autous), indicating 'them'. This choice reflects the directness of God's action towards those who oppose Him.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 2:5 tells us that God rebukes those who oppose Him with anger and terrifies them with His fury. This verse emphasizes God's authority and the seriousness of rebellion against Him, setting the stage for His ultimate plan.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God's response to rebellion is serious and comes from a place of righteous indignation, indicating the gravity of opposing His will.
God instills fear and dismay in those who rebel against Him, demonstrating His power and authority over all creation.
God's anger signifies His active response to injustice and rebellion, highlighting the importance of aligning with His will.
We learn that God takes opposition seriously and that His words carry weight, urging us to heed His guidance and warnings.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to be more aware of God's authority?
- How can I respond to God's guidance rather than oppose it?
- What does it mean for me to live in a way that honors God's anger against rebellion?
- How can I help others understand the seriousness of God's response to sin?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers comment on this verse to illustrate God's righteous anger and the consequences of rebellion against Him.
These are words of destruction that are pronounced in anger. Moreover, the evils that God had said he was going to inflict, he promises that he will withdraw if the listeners will become penitent.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 2 →
"Then He shall speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure" [Psalms 2:5].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 2 →
God judges without getting upset, and he causes distress for others while maintaining his affection for them. He does not become enraged when some emotion rises within him against the wicked,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 2 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 2:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen shall he speak unto them in his wrath,.... Or, "and he shall speak to them"; so Noldius: that is, the Lord that sits in the heavens, and laughs, and has the Heathen, the people, the kings and
Read John Gill on Psalms 2 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 2 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThen; in the midst of all their plots and confidences of success. Shall he speak to them in his wrath; he shall severely rebuke them, not so much verbally as really, by dreadful judgments. For God’ s speaking is oft put for his actions; and so here it is explained by vexing in the next branch. Or, he shall pronounce a terrible sentence against them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 2 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.Ver. 5. Then shall he speak unto them, &c.] Heb. He shall tell them, viz. a piece of his mind, to their small comfort. As a great prince sitting on a lofty throne berateth his rebels when once he hath brought them before him, and pronounceth sentence upon them in fierce wrath, see Jeremiah 52:9, so will the King of heaven do by his sturdy refractories. Whether he will speak unto them by his words or by his rods, Job 33:14; Job 33:19-21, and when he will do it he hath reserved in his own power and pleasure, Acts 1:7, but sooner or later he will not fail to do it; and Poena venit gravior, quo mage sera…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 2 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) Then.—An emphatic particle, marking the climax; possibly equal to “Lo! behold.” The grand roll of the words in the original is like the roll of the thunder, and is rendered more effective by its contrast with the quiet manner of Psa 2:4. And vex them.—Literally, and greatly (the verb is in the intensive conjugation) terrify them in his nostrils and in his heat.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 2 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath] He did so to the Jews who rejected the Gospel, and vexed and ruined them by the Roman armies; he did so with the opposing Roman emperors, destroying all the contending factions, till he brought the empire under the dominion of one, and him he converted to Christianity viz., Constantine the Great.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 2 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. Then] There is a limit to the divine patience. He will not always look on in silence. If they persist in their folly He must speak, and His word (like that of His representative, Isaiah 11:4) is power. vex] Trouble, confound, dismay, with panic terror, paralysing their efforts. Cp. Psalms 48:5; Psalms 83:15; Psalms 83:17. in his sore displeasure] Lit. fiery wrath (Exodus 15:7), a word used almost exclusively of divine anger.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 2 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThen shall he speak unto them - That is, this seeming indifference and unconcern will not last forever. He will not always look calmly on, nor will he suffer them to accomplish their purposes without interposing.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:
Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath:
Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:
Then he angrily speaks to them and terrifies them in his rage, saying,
Tyndale line
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure:
Then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and trouble them in his sore displeasure.
Then shall hee speake vnto them in his wrath, and vexe them in his sore displeasure, saying,
Strictly literal
Then will he speak to them in his anger, and in his fierce displeasure will he terrify them:
Then doth He speak unto them in His anger, And in His wrath He doth trouble them:
Then He speaks to them in His anger, and in His wrath He troubles them:
Then will he speak unto them in his anger, and in his displeasure will he terrify them.
Then he will speak to them in his anger and terrify them in his rage, saying,
From the Latin
Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage.
Simplified
He will thunder at them, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
Then will his angry words come to their ears, and by his wrath they will be troubled:
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads, "אָ֤ז יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ בְאַפּ֑וֹ וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃" which translates to, "Then He will speak to them in His anger, and in His fury, He will terrify them." The Septuagint has a word-by-word correspondence that matches the Masoretic Text closely, indicating agreement in the overall message. The Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q7) contain partial restoration, with some words supplied by an editor, but the key phrases are consistent with the Masoretic Text. Therefore, the primary witnesses agree in meaning, though the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit some textual restoration work that does not alter the fundamental message of the verse.
אָ֤ז יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֣ימוֹ בְאַפּ֑וֹ וּֽבַחֲרוֹנ֥וֹ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
אז ידבר אלי׳מו [באפ׳ו] [ובחרונ׳ו] [יבהל׳מו]
1 word on the leather — 2 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 2:5
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָז (az) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'at that time' or 'then,' used for both temporal and logical expressions. It can refer to past events or indicate a condition for future actions. The related form מֵאָז (me.az) means 'from that time' or 'since.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts without significant disagreement.
אָז adv. at that time, then whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).
strictly temporal
expressing logical sequence strictly
base
מֵאָז lit. from that time
base
H227a אָז at that time, then H227b מֵאָז, once
227 'az awz
a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a
conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now,
of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.
אָז (az) — then.
1) then, at that time
1a) temporal expressions
1a1) then (past)
1a2) then, if...then (future)
1a3) earlier
1b) logical expressions
1b1) in that case
1b2) that (being so)
מֵאָז (me.az) — the past.
1) in time past, of old
2)from time of, since
Adv — AdverbHD
דָבַר (dabar) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning 'to speak.' It encompasses a range of actions including declaring, commanding, and conversing. The root suggests a figurative use of words, with some entries noting a rare destructive sense of subduing. Various forms of the verb indicate different nuances, such as speaking with one another or making promises.
[דָבַר] 1142 vb. speak (original mng. dub.)
Qal speak
Niph. reciprocal sense, speak with one another, talk
Pi. speak
Pu. in the day when she may be spoken for
Hithp. speaking this word
Hiph. either leads subject, or puts to flight, fig. for subdues
base
H1696 דָבַר speak (original mng. dub.)
1696 dabar daw-bar'
a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used
figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive
sense) to subdue:--answer, appoint, bid, command, commune,
declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse,
say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think,
use (entreaties), utter, X well, X work.
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: speak.
: speak/tell/command
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: subdue.
: subdue
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
דָבַר (da.var) — to speak: promise.
: promise/declare
1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing
1a) (Qal) to speak
1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to speak
1c2) to promise
1d) (Pual) to be spoken
1e) (Hithpael) to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Prep | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word אַף (aph) primarily means nostril or nose, but it also refers to the face and is often associated with anger. It can denote a person's countenance or expressions of ire. The entries highlight its connection to rapid breathing in passionate states, indicating its use in contexts of anger or wrath.
אַף 277 n.m. nostril, nose, face, anger
nostril, as organ of breathing
Dn. face
mostly anger
base
H639 אַף nostril, nose, face, anger
639 'aph af
from 599; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and
occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in
passion) ire:--anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, +
forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril,
snout, X worthy, wrath.
see HEBREW for 0599
אַף (aph) — face: anger.
: anger
1) nostril, nose, face
2) anger
אַף (aph) — face: nose.
: nose
1) nostril, nose, face
2) anger
אַף (aph) — face.
: face
1) nostril, nose, face
2) anger
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
חָרוֹן (charown) refers to a burning anger or fierce wrath, primarily associated with God's displeasure. It is derived from the root meaning 'to burn' and is consistently used to denote intense emotional states of anger. The term captures the severity of divine fury, emphasizing its potency in contexts of judgment.
חָרוֹן n.m. (burning of) anger
base
H2740 חָרוֹן (burning of) anger
2740 charown khaw-rone'
or (shortened) charon {khaw-rone'}; from 2734; a burning of
anger:--sore displeasure, fierce(-ness), fury, (fierce)
wrath(-ful).
see HEBREW for 02734
חָרוֹן (cha.ron) — burning anger.
1) anger, heat, burning (of anger)
1a) always used of God's anger
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/R/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
בָּהַל (bahal) is a Hebrew verb that conveys a range of meanings related to disturbance and haste. It can mean to be disturbed, terrified, or anxious, as well as to act hastily or make haste. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, including Niph, Pi, Pu, and Hiph, which reflect different nuances of dismay and urgency.
[בָּהַל] vb.
Niph.
be disturbed, dismayed, terrified
be in haste, hasty
Pi.
dismay, terrify
hasten, make haste, act hastily
Pu. hastened; hastily gained
Hiph.
dismay, terrify
(late) hasten, hurry
base
H926 בָּהַל . . be disturbed, dismayed, terrified
. be in haste, hasty
. . dismay, terrify
. hasten, make haste, act hastily
. hastened; hastily gained
. . dismay, terrify
. (late) hasten, hurry
926 bahal baw-hal'
a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e.
(figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or
agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously:--be (make)
affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make)
haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble,
vex.
בָּהַל (ba.hal) — to dismay.
1) to disturb, alarm, terrify, hurry, be disturbed, be anxious, be afraid, be hurried, be nervous
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be disturbed, dismayed, terrified, anxious
1a2) to be in haste, be hasty
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make haste, act hastily, be hurried, be hastened
1b2) to dismay, terrify
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to hasten
1c2) hastened, hastily gained (part.)
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to hasten, hurry, make haste
1d2) to dismay, terrify
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb piel imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVpi3ms/Sp3mp
