Jewish Doctrinal Defense:

"Kiss the Son" -- Psalm 2:12

By Rabbi Shlomo Nachman © December 02, 2014 (last updated July 29, 2019)

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This is one of those cases where the translation causes the confusion.

The Hebrew word נשׁק nashaq (naw-sak) is translated in many Christian Bibles (not all) as "kiss" in this verse.

KJV: Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
The Hebrew language is understood contextually as well as literally. Word meanings also change over time and modern Hebrew is different from biblical Hebrew in many cases. The original (biblical) meaning of nashaq refers to strengthening something by making a close connection with it. This meaning is conveyed clearly in Jewish translations as we will see below. The Christian translator's idea of nashaq seems to have originally been to "kiss" in the sense of closely embracing the subject. Nashaq bar (נַשְּׁקוּ בַר) meaning to kiss or intimately connect to the bar, or prince (in context). In this case the prince being the leader of the Jewish people in Zion (verse 6). Also, understand that there are no capital letters in Hebrew so "son" is only capitalized in their translations to support Christian dogma. There is no textual basis for this capitalization. They do it hoping to suggest the verse is a reference of their Messianic candidate. There is no literal nor contextual support for this translation.

A more precise translation of nashaq includes the idea of equipping or arming for battle or loyalty. Is does not suggest 'to kiss' as we think of it today. The idea of this kiss is more in the context of the military double kiss on the cheek between comrades.

For greater accuracy most Jewish translations convey this meaning:

Judaica Press: Psalm 2:12 Arm yourselves with purity lest He [HaShem] become angry and you perish in the way...
JPS: Psalm 2:12 Do homage in purity, lest He be angry...
Koren Jerusalem: Psalm 2:12 Worship in purity, lest he be angry...
Sefaria: Psalm 2:12 pay homage in good faith, lest He be angered
Again the idea being that one should become 'attached to' or 'armed for battle' from the heart with devotion to the King, HaShem.

The reads: "Serve the LORD in awe; tremble with fright, pay homage in good faith, lest He be angered, and your way be doomed in the mere flash of His anger. Happy are all who take refuge in Him" -- Psalm 2:11,12. Compare the same word here:
Song of Songs 3:8: "All of them trained in warfare, Skilled in battle, Each with sword on thigh Because of terror by night.
Ibn Ezra, discussing the word as "kiss" notes:
"Kiss the son against his anointed": and behold the interpretation 'How pure and also how pure my insides' (Proverbs 31:2); and it is also written 'you are my son.' It is a custom in the nations of the world to place their hands under the hand of the king as the brother of Solomon or the slave under the thigh of his master or to kiss the king. This is the custom in India to this day.
The reference therefore is the declaration of loyalty.

The 'human princes' were standing in opposition to HaShem and His people Israel (verse 1,2). HaShem mocks their desire to overthrow the Jewish people (verse 4). Antisemitism is an attack on HaShem not just His people. HaShem's people abide eternally on His holy Mount Zion (may it be fully restored to us soon!). Our power and authority comes from there.

Judaica Press: Psalm 2:7 I will tell of the decree; The Lord said to me, "You are My son; this day have I begotten you.
Of this commonly twisted verse Rashi explains:
You are My son: The head over Israel, who are called “My firstborn son.” And they will endure through you, as is stated concerning Abner (II Sam. 3:18): “for God said, etc., ‘By the hand of My bondsman David shall I deliver… Israel.’” And for their sake, you are before Me as a son because they are all dependent upon you.
this day have I: for I have enthroned you [Israel] over them.
begotten you: to be called My son and to be beloved to Me as a son for their sake, as it is stated (II Sam. 7:14) concerning Solomon we read: “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to Me a son.” We find further concerning David (Ps. 89:27): “He shall call Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’”
Now these enemies of our people are invited to make peace with us in verse 10:
And now, [you] kings, be wise; be admonished, [you] judges of the earth.
Of which Rashi says:
And now, [you] kings, be wise: The Jewish prophets are merciful people. They reprove the heathens to turn away from their evil, for the Holy One, blessed be He, extends His hand to the wicked and to the righteous.
Israel will always be victorious WHEN we arm ourselves with purity etc. (verse 12). When Israel is not victorious it is because we lack emunah (active faith) and purity.

These words include the idea of becoming attached to HaShem through purity and emunah (active, complete faith) for our security. ONLY HaShem and His people determine the successes and failures of Israel. This is something Israel (and the nations) always need to be reminded of.

There is nothing in this chapter (nor anywhere else in the Tanach) that speaks of Yeshua/Jesus. HaMashiach has not yet come. How can we be so certain? No One thus far has fulfilled the requirements. For clear evidence of this fact look out your window or Click Here.


Be the Blessing you were created to be
And
Don't let the perfect defeat the good

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