Psalms 2:9

⁷ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

⁸ Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

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

¹⁰ Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
KJV: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
WEB: You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
ASV: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter`s vessel.
DARBY: Thou shalt break them with a sceptre of iron, as a potter's vessel thou shalt dash them in pieces.
BLB: You will break them with a rod of iron; You will shatter them like a vessel of a potter.”

ÅB: Du skal knuse dem med jernstav;
du skal slå dem i stykker som pottemakerens krukke.»
OTB: Du skal knuse dem med et jernsepter,
Du skal slå dem i stykker som pottemakerens kar.”
B1930: Du skal knuse dem med jernstav; som en pottemakers kar skal du sønderslå dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Revelation 2:26–27
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Read in context
Revelation 12:5
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Read in context
Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Read in context
Psalms 89:23
And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
Read in context
Isaiah 30:14
And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
Read in context
Psalms 110:5–6
The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
Read in context
Psalms 21:8–9
Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
Read in context
Jeremiah 19:11
And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.
Read in context