Psalms 82:7
But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
Original Language Analysis
כְּאָדָ֣ם
like men
H120
כְּאָדָ֣ם
like men
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 6
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
תְּמוּת֑וּן
ye shall die
H4191
תְּמוּת֑וּן
ye shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
3 of 6
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וּכְאַחַ֖ד
like one
H259
וּכְאַחַ֖ד
like one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
Cross References
Psalms 49:12Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.Ezekiel 31:14To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit.Job 21:32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.Psalms 83:11Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Historical Context
Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6 ('I have said, Ye are gods') in John 10:34-36 to argue that if Scripture called human judges 'gods' because they represented divine authority, how much more appropriate for the true Son of God to claim deity. The psalm thus provides christological foundation: human judges failed in their divine appointment, but Christ the perfect Judge executes justice with righteousness. The certainty of mortality for corrupt judges would encourage oppressed believers: current injustice is temporary; divine judgment is certain.
Questions for Reflection
- How does awareness of mortality inform the way leaders should exercise authority and make judgments?
- What delusions of invulnerability or permanence might those in authority (including spiritual authority) be tempted toward today?
- How does Christ as the perfect Judge fulfill what human judges failed to accomplish in Psalm 82?
Analysis & Commentary
But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. God's verdict shatters delusions of invulnerability. "But" (אָכֵן/aken) introduces stark contrast: despite divine appointment and authority, corrupt judges face mortality. "Die like men" (כְּאָדָם תְּמוּתוּן/ke'adam temutun) can mean either "die like Adam" (the first man who fell through sin) or "die like ordinary men" (not gods). Both readings work: judges appointed to represent God's authority have no inherent divinity and will die like Adam who sinned.
The phrase confronts ancient Near Eastern ideology that elevated kings and judges to semi-divine status. Egyptian pharaohs claimed divinity; Mesopotamian rulers bore divine titles. Even Israelite judges, called "elohim" (gods/mighty ones) in verse 1 and 6 because they represented God's authority, might be tempted toward arrogance. God declares: you are mortal. Death awaits. Accountability comes.
"Fall like one of the princes" (וּכְאַחַד הַשָּׂרִים תִּפֹּלוּ/uke'achad hasarim tipolu) specifies violent death, not peaceful demise. Naphal (fall) often denotes death in battle or judgment. Princes who oppressed others will themselves fall. This echoes the pattern throughout Scripture: Pharaoh drowned, Haman hanged on his own gallows, persecutors of the church struck down. Corrupt authority faces divine retribution.