Psalms 133 · Verse 2

Psalms 133:2

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Psalms 133:2, King James Version

Psalms 133:2 in other translations

BSBIt is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.
WEBIt is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down on the edge of his robes,
ASVIt is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments;
YLTAs the good oil on the head, Coming down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, That cometh down on the skirt of his robes,
DARBYLike the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, upon Aaron's beard, that ran down to the hem of his garments;
BBEIt is like oil of great price on the head, flowing down over the face, even Aaron's face: coming down to the edge of his robe;
WebsterIt is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garment;

What does Psalms 133:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 133:1-2

Psa 133:1-3. The blessings of fraternal unity. 1-2. As the fragrant oil is refreshing, so this affords delight. The holy anointing oil for the high priest was olive oil mixed with four of the best spices (Ex 30:22, 25, 30). Its rich profusion typified the abundance of the Spirit's graces. As the copious dew, such as fell on Hermon, falls in fertilizing power on the mountains of Zion, so this unity is fruitful in…

Read the full comment on Psalms 133:1-2 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Like the precious ointment - The composition of this holy anointing oil may be seen, Exo 30:23; sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia lignea, and olive oil. The odour of this must have been very agreeable, and serves here as a metaphor to point out the exquisite excellence of brotherly love. Ran down upon the beard - The oil was poured upon the head of Aaron so profusely as to run down upon his garments. It is customary in the east to pour out the oil on the head so profusely as to reach every limb.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Psalms 133:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כַּשֶּׁ֤מֶןka.She.menlike the oilH8081
הַטּ֨וֹב\׀ha.Tov<the> goodH2896
עַל\־'al-onH5921
הָרֹ֗אשׁha.Roshthe headH7218
יֹרֵ֗דyo.Redrunning downH3381
עַֽל\־'al-onH5921
הַזָּקָ֥ןha.za.Kanthe beardH2206
זְקַֽן\־ze.kan-[the] beard ofH2206
אַהֲרֹ֑ן'a.ha.RonAaronH175
שֶׁ֝יֹּרֵ֗דShe.yo.Redthat [is] running downH3381
עַל\־'al-onH5921
פִּ֥יpi[the] mouth ofH6310
מִדּוֹתָֽיו\׃mi.do.Tavrobes hisH4060

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 133:2

  • Leviticus 8:12

    And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

  • Exodus 30:25-30

    And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. …

  • Exodus 29:7

    Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

  • Proverbs 27:9

    Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

  • Exodus 39:24

    And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.

  • Song of Solomon 1:3

    Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

  • John 12:3

    Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

  • Psalms 141:5

    Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

  • Exodus 28:33

    And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
It is like.
141:5; Pr 27:9; So 1:3; Joh 12:3
that ran down.
Ex 30:25-30; Le 8:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 133:1

    A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

  • Psalms 133:2

    It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

  • Psalms 133:3

    As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Read all of Psalms 133

Psalms 133:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Es como el buen óleo sobre la cabeza, el cual desciende sobre la barba, la barba de Aarón, y que baja hasta el borde de sus vestiduras;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		C’est comme l’huile précieuse, répandue sur la tête, qui descendait sur la barbe, la barbe d’Aaron, qui descendait sur le bord de ses vêtements;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wie das köstliche Öl auf dem Haupte, das herabfließt auf den Bart, auf den Bart Aarons, das herabfließt auf den Saum seiner Kleider;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In noctibus extollite manus vestras in sancta, et benedicite Dominum.