The text of v. 12 is difficult,
for it contains the Aramaic word bar,
“son,” instead of the Hebrew ben (v.
7). Moreover, the expression “Kiss the son” is unusual. The formula “kiss the
feet” appears commonly in Akkadian inscriptions to describe the submission of
vanquished princes. It has been proposed to correct the text in vv. 11b and 12a
and to rearrange the order of the words gîl,
“shudder,” and bar, “son,” in
Aramaic, so as to read, “in trembling kiss his feet!” This hypothesis is
superfluous. The MT has been respected by many exegetes (cf. Syr. and Ibn
Ezra). Aramaic had become the lingua
franca of the ancient Near East long before Persian times; the rhythm of
vv. 11b and 12a would be compromised by the corrections, and the kiss has to be
addressed not to God but to his representative on earth. (Samuel Terrien, The Psalms:
Strophic Structure and Theological Commentary, 2 vols. [The Eerdmans
Critical Commentary; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2003], 1:83)
Notes
for 2:12
32 tn Traditionally, “kiss the son” (KJV).
But בַּר (bar) is the Aramaic word for “son,” not the Hebrew. For this reason
many regard the reading as suspect. Some propose emendations of vv. 11b–12a.
One of the more popular proposals is to read בִּרְעָדָה נַשְּׁקוּ לְרַגְלָיו (bir’adah
nashéqu léraslayv, “in trembling kiss his feet”). It makes better sense to
understand בַּר (bar) as an adjective meaning “pure” (see Pss 24:4; 73:1 and BDB 141
s.v. בַּר 3) functioning here
in an adverbial sense. If read this way, then the syntactical structure of
exhortation (imperative followed by adverbial modifier) corresponds to the two
preceding lines (see v. 11). The verb נָשַׁק
(nashaq, “kiss”) refers metonymically
to showing homage (see 1 Sam 10:1; Hos 13:2). The exhortation in v. 12a
advocates a genuine expression of allegiance and warns against insincerity.
When swearing allegiance, vassal kings would sometimes do so insincerely, with
the intent of rebelling when the time was right. The so-called “Vassal Treaties
of Esarhaddon” also warn against such an attitude. In this treaty the vassal is
told: “If you, as you stand on the soil where this oath [is sworn], swear the
oath with your words and lips [only], do not swear with your entire heart, do
not transmit it to your sons who will live after this treaty, if you take this curse upon yourselves but do not plan to
keep the treaty of Esarhaddon … may your sons and grandsons because of this
fear in the future” (see J. B. Pritchard, e.d., The Ancient Near East, 2:62). (Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes [Biblical
Studies Press, 2006], Logos Bible Software edition)
