I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Parallel translations
- WEB I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.
- BSB I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’
- NKJV I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High.
- NASB I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.
- NLT I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God declares that He had called them 'gods' and 'sons of the Most High.' The lofty title reflects the dignity and authority God granted these rulers.
Overview
God acknowledges the high office given to human judges as His representatives, calling them 'gods' and 'sons of the Most High' because they act in His stead. Jesus cites this verse to defend His own claim of divine sonship (John 10:34-36). The title underscores both the honor of God-given authority and the accountability that comes with it.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- John 10:34–36Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
- Ps 82:1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
- Exod 22:28Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
- Exod 22:9For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 82:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.