Psalm 22 18

Psalm 22:18 kjv

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Psalm 22:18 nkjv

They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.

Psalm 22:18 niv

They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

Psalm 22:18 esv

they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Psalm 22:18 nlt

They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice for my clothing.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 18 Meaning

Psalm 22:18 prophetically describes the profound humiliation and dispossession experienced by one undergoing extreme suffering. It illustrates a state of total vulnerability where even the most intimate personal possessions are stripped away and claimed by others. This action, particularly the division of outer garments and the casting of lots for an inner vesture, perfectly foretells a key event during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 22 18 Context

Psalm 22 is a profound Messianic lament, expressing deep anguish, rejection, and physical suffering. It opens with the piercing cry, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" which Jesus Himself uttered on the cross. While rooted in King David's personal experiences of distress and persecution, the details of the psalm transcend mere human experience, pointing forward to the ultimate suffering of the Messiah. The verses immediately preceding Psalm 22:18 depict the Psalmist's enemies observing his torment with malicious satisfaction ("they stare and gloat over me"), setting the stage for the final act of stripping and appropriation of his last possessions, as described in verse 18. This scenario aligns with historical and cultural practices where the clothing of a crucified or executed person was commonly claimed by the executioners as a perquisite.

Psalm 22 18 Word analysis

• Word-by-word analysis:

  • They: Refers to the anonymous and numerous tormentors or antagonists, specifically the executioners (in the New Testament fulfillment, the Roman soldiers).
  • part (Hebrew: חָלַק, chalaq): To divide, apportion, or distribute. This implies a systematic breaking up and sharing of possessions among multiple parties.
  • my garments (Hebrew: בְּגָדִים, bĕgādîm): Denotes the outer clothing or general wardrobe, often consisting of several pieces that could be easily separated and shared among individuals. These were items of general utility and modest value.
  • among them: Emphasizes the collective action of the group claiming the belongings, highlighting the victim's total dispossession and inability to retain anything.
  • and cast lots (Hebrew: יַפִּילוּ גוֹרָל, yappîlû gôrā̂l, literally "they throw a lot"): This action was a common ancient method for making decisions or distributing goods when items could not be easily divided, ensuring one person received the whole item. It often signified a reliance on chance, but biblically, it could also represent divine superintendence.
  • upon: Pertaining to, or concerning a particular item.
  • my vesture (Hebrew: לְבוּשׁ, lĕbûš): Refers to a specific, more personal, or potentially more valuable inner garment, often a tunic or undergarment. In the Gospel accounts, Jesus' tunic was notably "without seam, woven from top to bottom" (John 19:23), making it uniquely valuable and unsuitable for tearing, thus necessitating the casting of lots for its entirety.

• Words-group analysis:

  • They part my garments among them: This phrase signifies the collective and public appropriation of the sufferer's outer clothing, representing an extreme form of degradation, as even basic dignity and personal property are stripped away and distributed. It underscores the utter powerlessness of the afflicted one.
  • and cast lots upon my vesture: This second phrase elaborates on the complete dispossession, indicating a separate, distinct act for a singular, possibly more valuable, garment. It suggests that even the most intimate possession, which could not be readily divided, was also claimed through a method perceived as random, yet providentially controlled, solidifying the complete and final taking of all possessions.

Psalm 22 18 Bonus section

• The meticulous differentiation between "garments" and "vesture" highlights a striking level of detail within the prophecy, which adds profound credibility when observed in its precise fulfillment during Christ's passion.
• This verse captures not only the physical torment but also a deep psychological aspect of suffering: the complete and public stripping away of all personal privacy and possessions, leaving the victim utterly exposed and defenceless.
• The use of "lots" often implies randomness from a human perspective, yet in the divine economy, as Proverbs 16:33 states, "the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." This emphasizes that even the seemingly chance acts of men are under the sovereign control of God to bring about His purposes.
• The seamless tunic of Jesus, for which lots were cast, often symbolizes His singular, undivided nature, possibly representing His righteousness, which could not be torn.

Psalm 22 18 Commentary

Psalm 22:18 stands as a stark depiction of utter destitution and profound humiliation. The division of garments was a customary practice for executioners in the ancient world, yet its inclusion here elevates it from a mere historical detail to a precisely fulfilled prophecy. The distinction between "garments" (plural, outer, dividable) and "vesture" (singular, inner, for which lots were cast) is critical. This level of specific detail, perfectly mirrored in the New Testament accounts of Christ's crucifixion (John 19:23-24), underscores the Bible's divine inspiration and the exactness of Messianic prophecy. It illustrates the completeness of Christ's sacrifice, where He was not only physically tortured and killed but also symbolically stripped of everything, reflecting humanity's own spiritual destitution before God. This seemingly mundane act by callous soldiers demonstrates how God works through human actions, even wicked ones, to meticulously fulfill His ancient Word. It offers a powerful reminder of Christ's deep suffering on our behalf, leaving Him completely exposed and owning nothing, so that we might gain everything in Him.