Psalm 22 12

Psalm 22:12 kjv

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

Psalm 22:12 nkjv

Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.

Psalm 22:12 niv

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

Psalm 22:12 esv

Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

Psalm 22:12 nlt

My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 12 Meaning

Psalm 22:12 describes the profound and overwhelming nature of the suffering experienced by the psalmist, often understood as a prophetic cry of the Messiah. The "bulls" symbolize powerful, relentless, and aggressive enemies. They represent individuals or forces characterized by brute strength, savagery, and a determined effort to surround and destroy the afflicted one. The mention of "Bashan" further intensifies this imagery, pointing to enemies of immense strength and ferocity, akin to the notoriously robust cattle from that fertile region, symbolizing formidable opposition that seems inescapable.

Psalm 22 12 Context

Psalm 22 is a profound lament, transitioning from desperate agony to a declaration of praise and faith in God's deliverance. The chapter opens with the iconic cry of dereliction, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Ps 22:1). Verses 1-11 depict the psalmist's intense personal suffering, feeling abandoned by God and subjected to utter contempt from men. This verse (Ps 22:12) specifically follows descriptions of deep physical weakness and overwhelming scorn, further developing the external threats faced by the sufferer. Historically, David is traditionally seen as the author, possibly expressing his own distress during times of intense persecution. However, the vivid and specific imagery, particularly of the "bulls of Bashan" and the later details of piercing hands and feet (Ps 22:16), have led Jewish and Christian traditions to view it primarily as a prophetic Psalm concerning the suffering Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ during His crucifixion. The context portrays an innocent sufferer encircled by malevolent forces.

Psalm 22 12 Word analysis

• Many (רַבִּים - rabbim): Indicates a numerous quantity, emphasizing the overwhelming odds against the psalmist. It denotes a vast, unstoppable presence of adversaries, reinforcing the feeling of being outnumbered and cornered.
• bulls (פָּרִים - parim): In Hebrew, parim are strong, male bovines. Symbolically, they represent raw, untamed power, brute force, and destructive aggression. They lack reason and pursue their objective with single-minded intensity. In the Ancient Near East, bulls were powerful, often dangerous animals, sometimes used in religious imagery but here explicitly hostile.
• encompass me (סַבּוּנִי - sabûni): From the root sābáb, meaning to surround, encircle, or besiege. It conveys a sense of being completely hemmed in, with no escape route. The suffix "-ni" signifies "me," directly implicating the psalmist as the target.
• strong (אַבִּירֵי - ʾabbirim): Denotes mighty, powerful, valiant, or robust ones. It amplifies the formidable nature of the "bulls," suggesting not just numerous but also exceptionally potent adversaries. This term adds an extra layer of dread, indicating enemies not only in multitude but also in peak physical power.
• bulls of Bashan: Bashan was a fertile, elevated plateau east of the Jordan River, renowned for its rich pastures and large, powerful cattle (Deut 32:14; Eze 39:18). This phrase serves as a specific intensification of the "bulls" imagery. It points to enemies who are well-fed, robust, formidable, and likely aggressive due to their strength and environment. The comparison implies not just any bulls, but the fiercest, healthiest, and most dangerous ones imaginable, suggesting powerful, affluent, or influential oppressors.
• surround me (יִכְתִּירוּנִי - yiktiruni): From the root kāthar, meaning to crown or surround. This is the second verb for "surrounding" in the verse, adding an intensifier. The use of two distinct verbs for encircling—sabûni (to besiege from all sides) and yiktiruni (to crown/encompass tightly)—highlights the complete, oppressive encirclement. It suggests an inescapable trap, where the enemies have fully asserted their control and dominance over the psalmist. The repetition underscores the dire, helpless state.

Psalm 22 12 Bonus section

The progression from "many bulls" to "strong bulls of Bashan" reflects an increasing intensity of threat. The general image of "bulls" presents an immediate danger, while specifying "Bashan" connects it to a known source of formidable power and arrogance within the cultural context. This detail paints the adversaries not just as numerous and powerful, but as being well-resourced, self-assured, and utterly relentless in their pursuit of the psalmist. The raw, untamed nature of these animals stands in stark contrast to the lamb-like meekness of the Messiah. While bulls were used in Israelite sacrifice, this verse contrasts that role by portraying them as hostile, destructive forces, perhaps a subtle polemic against the notion that all powerful forces are to be venerated; rather, some are aligned against God’s purposes.

Psalm 22 12 Commentary

Psalm 22:12 provides a vivid, almost primal image of relentless oppression. The psalmist, prophetic of Christ, likens his powerful, hostile adversaries to "many bulls," then intensifies the threat with the specific imagery of "strong bulls of Bashan." This suggests enemies of immense physical, political, or spiritual power, known for their brutish force and relentless pursuit, completely overwhelming the sufferer. It encapsulates the deep sense of vulnerability and being trapped that Jesus experienced from the Sanhedrin, Roman authorities, and the mocking crowd during His passion. The repeated "surround me" underscores the suffocating pressure and isolation, emphasizing that escape seems impossible without divine intervention. It illustrates the peak of human malice against divine purpose, setting the stage for the miraculous deliverance that would follow.