Psalm 22:12

Translations

Modern

Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

Traditional

Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

Literal

Many strong bulls have surrounded me, mighty ones of Bashan have encircled Me.

Latin

Circumdederunt me vituli multi; tauri pingues obsederunt me.

Original

Hebrew

English

Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

Notes

Psalms 22:12

Bashan, a region famous for its herds and plants, produced strong bulls (Psalm 68:30).

Psalms 22:12–18

The psalmist again shares his deep pain and suffering (see Psalm 22:1–2, 6–8). His trouble comes from human beings who act like wild animals.

Psalms 22:1–21

The psalmist switches between thinking about his current difficult situation and remembering the Lord's past faithfulness. He ends the psalm with a prayer for rescue.

Psalms 22:1–31

All previous laments seem minor compared to this outcry against the enemy and God's abandonment. The psalm has two main sections:

the lament (Psalm 22:1–21) and
praise for redemption (Psalm 22:22–31).

This naturally leads to Psalm 23.

The apostles saw this psalm as expressing the sufferings of Jesus Christ. He ultimately fulfilled the purpose of David's humiliation, rejection by people, and divine abandonment (Matthew 27:35, 39, 43, 46; Mark 15:34; John 19:23–24, 28; Hebrews 2:12).

Psalms 20:1–24:10

This series of psalms shows a journey from confidence and commitment (Psalms 20–21), through anguish and abandonment (Psalm 22), and finally to comfort, insight, and hope (Psalms 23–24).

Theme notes and profiles

David Psalms of Suffering Suffering in Following God The Poor and Needy in the Psalms

Related verses

Acts 4:27
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.
Amos 4:1–3
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”
Psalm 68:30
Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations, until it submits, bringing bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.
Matthew 27:1
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
Ezekiel 39:18
You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan.
Deuteronomy 32:14–15
…with curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with the fat of lambs, with rams from Bashan, and goats, with the choicest grains of wheat. From the juice of the finest grapes you drank the wine.
Jeremiah 50:11
“Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph—you who plunder My inheritance—because you frolic like a heifer treading grain and neigh like stallions,
Isaiah 34:7
And the wild oxen will fall with them, the young bulls with the strong ones. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil will be soaked with fat.

Parallels

Matthew 27:32–56 Mark 15:21–41 Luke 23:26–43 John 19:16–30

Places

Bashan: Region east of the Jordan, known for its fertility

Glossary

Aijeleth Shahar Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Cattle Confession David Eli, Eli, Lema Sabachthani? Messiah Music Palestine Psalms, Book of Seven Last Sayings of Jesus

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Bashan: Distinguished for Its Fine Cattle Cattle: Bashan Suitable to the Raising of Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Persecution of Jesus The Ox: Bull or Bullock of Fierce Enemies The Wicked are Compared to Bulls of Bashan Wicked (People): Compared With: The Bulls of Bashan

Psalm 22:12

Translations?

Original?

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Related verses?

Parallels?