CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 22:16 For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/22-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/19_Psa_022_016.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 22:16 - The Psalm of the Cross" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/22-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/22-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Chapter 22</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/22-15.htm" title="Psalm 22:15">◄</a> Psalm 22:16 <a href="/psalms/22-17.htm" title="Psalm 22:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For [a pack of] dogs have surrounded me; A gang of evildoers has encircled me, They pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Brutal enemies attack me like a pack of dogs, tearing at my hands and my feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of evil-doers have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Dogs have surrounded me. A mob has encircled me. They have pierced my hands and feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />An evil gang is around me; like a pack of dogs they close in on me; they tear at my hands and feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of those who practice of evil has encircled me. They gouged my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Yes, wild dogs surround me--a gang of evil men crowd around me; like a lion they pin my hands and feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For many dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And You appoint Me to the dust of death, "" For dogs have surrounded Me, "" A company of evildoers has surrounded Me, "" Piercing My hands and My feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And to the dust of death thou appointest me, For surrounded me have dogs, A company of evil doers have compassed me, Piercing my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For dogs surrounded me: the assembly of those being evil moved round about me: they digged my hands and my feet.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 21:17>For many dogs have surrounded me. The council of the malicious has besieged me. They have pierced my hands and feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the vicious have surrounded me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me; they have pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because dogs surround me and the assembly of the evil have surrounded me; they have pierced my hands and my feet!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For dogs have encompassed me; A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; Like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For many dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked doers has beset me round: they pierced my hands and my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/22-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=2266" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">The Psalm of the Cross</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/3611.htm" title="3611: kə·lā·ḇîm (N-mp) -- A dog. From an unused root means. To yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence a male prostitute.">dogs</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: sə·ḇā·ḇū·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">surround me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5712.htm" title="5712: ‘ă·ḏaṯ (N-fsc) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">a band</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: mə·rê·‘îm (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">of evil men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5362.htm" title="5362: hiq·qî·p̄ū·nî (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to strike with more or less violence; by implication to knock together, i.e. Surround or circulate.">encircles me;</a> <a href="/hebrew/738.htm" title="738: kā·’ă·rî (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- A lion. Or earyeh; from 'arah; a lion.">they have pierced</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏay (N-fdc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">my hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: wə·raḡ·lāy (Conj-w:: N-fdc:: 1cs) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">and feet.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-5.htm">Isaiah 53:5</a></span><br />But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a></span><br />Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-37.htm">John 19:37</a></span><br />And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-35.htm">Matthew 27:35</a></span><br />When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-24.htm">Mark 15:24</a></span><br />And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-33.htm">Luke 23:33</a></span><br />When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-25.htm">John 20:25</a></span><br />So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-23.htm">John 19:23-24</a></span><br />When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. / So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-67.htm">Matthew 26:67</a></span><br />Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-65.htm">Mark 14:65</a></span><br />Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-63.htm">Luke 22:63-65</a></span><br />The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him. / They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?” / And they said many other blasphemous things against Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-22.htm">John 18:22</a></span><br />When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-23.htm">Acts 2:23</a></span><br />He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-27.htm">Acts 4:27-28</a></span><br />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. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/2-10.htm">Hebrews 2:10</a></span><br />In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.</p><p class="hdg">dogs</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">Psalm 22:1,20</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? <i>why art thou so</i> far from helping me, <i>and from</i> the words of my roaring? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-6.htm">Psalm 59:6,14</a></b></br> They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Matthew 7:6</a></b></br> Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.</p><p class="hdg">compassed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/11-53.htm">Luke 11:53,54</a></b></br> And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge <i>him</i> vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: … </p><p class="hdg">assembly</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/86-14.htm">Psalm 86:14</a></b></br> O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent <i>men</i> have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Jeremiah 12:6</a></b></br> For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-57.htm">Matthew 26:57</a></b></br> And they that had laid hold on Jesus led <i>him</i> away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a></b></br> And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for <i>his</i> only <i>son</i>, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for <i>his</i> firstborn.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/27-35.htm">Matthew 27:35</a></b></br> And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/15-24.htm">Mark 15:24</a></b></br> And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/26-12.htm">Appointest</a> <a href="/psalms/7-7.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/psalms/18-32.htm">Band</a> <a href="/psalms/14-5.htm">Company</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/job/35-12.htm">Doers</a> <a href="/job/30-1.htm">Dogs</a> <a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Encircled</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Enclosed</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/21-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/14-6.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/psalms/18-39.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/psalms/22-10.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Inclosed</a> <a href="/psalms/17-12.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/job/39-30.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Piercing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-8.htm">Pin</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/21-11.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/26-12.htm">Appointest</a> <a href="/psalms/22-22.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Band</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Company</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/23-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Doers</a> <a href="/psalms/22-20.htm">Dogs</a> <a href="/psalms/22-29.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/psalms/73-6.htm">Encircled</a> <a href="/psalms/119-61.htm">Enclosed</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/23-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/psalms/25-15.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/psalms/24-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/songs/4-12.htm">Inclosed</a> <a href="/psalms/38-8.htm">Lion</a> <a href="/psalms/38-2.htm">Pierced</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Piercing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-3.htm">Pin</a> <a href="/psalms/26-6.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/31-8.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">David complains in great discouragement</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">He prays in great distress</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/22-23.htm">He praises God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For dogs surround me;</b><br>In ancient Near Eastern culture, "dogs" were often seen as scavengers and unclean animals, symbolizing contempt and hostility. This phrase reflects the psalmist's feeling of being surrounded by those who are considered impure or adversarial. In a broader biblical context, "dogs" can represent Gentiles or those outside the covenant community, as seen in <a href="/matthew/15-26.htm">Matthew 15:26-27</a>. The imagery here suggests a sense of being besieged by relentless and aggressive enemies.<p><b>a band of evil men encircles me;</b><br>The "band of evil men" indicates a group of malicious individuals who are united in their intent to harm the psalmist. This phrase highlights the collective nature of the threat, emphasizing the overwhelming odds faced by the individual. Historically, this could reflect the experiences of King David, who often faced opposition from various groups. Theologically, it foreshadows the gathering of those who would conspire against Jesus, as seen in the Gospels, particularly during His arrest and crucifixion (<a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">Matthew 26:47</a>).<p><b>they have pierced my hands and feet.</b><br>This phrase is often seen as a prophetic reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, where His hands and feet were literally pierced by nails. While the original Hebrew text is debated, the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, uses language that aligns with the idea of piercing. This connection is reinforced by New Testament passages such as <a href="/john/20-25.htm">John 20:25-27</a>, where Thomas refers to the marks of the nails in Jesus' hands. The piercing serves as a vivid type of Christ's suffering and sacrifice, fulfilling the messianic prophecy and underscoring the psalm's role as a foreshadowing of the Passion narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a>, David is expressing a deep sense of anguish and persecution, which is both personal and prophetic.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/dogs.htm">Dogs</a></b><br>In ancient Near Eastern culture, "dogs" were often used metaphorically to describe those who were considered unclean or contemptible. Here, it symbolizes the enemies surrounding the psalmist.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/evil_men.htm">Evil Men</a></b><br>This refers to the adversaries who are oppressing and attacking the psalmist, representing those who oppose God's anointed.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/crucifixion_of_jesus.htm">Crucifixion of Jesus</a></b><br>This event is prophetically foreshadowed in this verse, as the piercing of hands and feet is a vivid depiction of the crucifixion, which is fulfilled in the New Testament.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/messianic_prophecy.htm">Messianic Prophecy</a></b><br>Psalm 22 is widely regarded as a messianic psalm, pointing to the suffering of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_prophecy.htm">Understanding Prophecy</a></b><br>Recognize the prophetic nature of the Psalms and how they point to the life and work of Jesus Christ. This deepens our understanding of the unity and continuity of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identifying_with_suffering.htm">Identifying with Suffering</a></b><br>David's expression of anguish can resonate with our own experiences of suffering and feeling surrounded by adversaries. We can find solace in knowing that Christ also endured suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_in_christ.htm">The Fulfillment in Christ</a></b><br>Acknowledge how the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in the New Testament, strengthening our faith in the reliability and divine inspiration of the Bible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_persecution.htm">Responding to Persecution</a></b><br>Consider how we can respond to opposition and persecution in our own lives, following the example of Christ who endured suffering with grace and forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_redemption.htm">Hope in Redemption</a></b><br>Despite the imagery of suffering, <a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a> ultimately points to redemption and victory, reminding us of the hope we have in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'pierced'_in_psalm_22_16_a_later_addition.htm">Psalm 22:16 – Does the phrase “they have pierced my hands and my feet” reflect a later Christian interpretation rather than the original Hebrew text? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/pierced_or_like_a_lion_in_psalm_22_16.htm">Is it "pierced" or "like a lion" in Psalm 22:16?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/2024_easter_bible_reading_plan.htm">What is the 2024 Easter Bible reading plan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_the_manner_of_jesus'_death.htm">What was the manner of Jesus' death?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Dogs.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">barkers. </span>(For the wild scavenger dogs of the East, comp. <a href="/1_kings/12-19.htm" title="So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.">1Kings 12:19</a>, &c) Symmachus and Theodotion render, "hunting dogs."<p><span class= "bld">The assembly of the wicked </span>denotes the factious nature of the attacks on the sufferer. His enemies have combined, as savage animals, to hunt in packs. Comp. Virgil, <span class= "ital">'n. </span>ii. 351:--<p>----"lupi ceu<p>Raptores atra in nebula."<p><span class= "bld">They pierced.</span>--The word thus rendered has formed a battle-ground for controversy. As the Hebrew text at present stands the word reads <span class= "ital">k?ari </span>(like a lion). (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/38-13.htm" title="I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night will you make an end of me.">Isaiah 38:13</a>.) But no intelligible meaning can be got out of "like a lion my hands and my feet." Nor does the plan commend itself of dividing the verses differently, and reading, "The congregation of wicked men have gathered round me like a lion. On my hands and my feet I can tell all my bones." The punctuation of the text must therefore be given up, and a meaning sought by changing the reading. The necessity of a change is supported both by the ancient versions and by some MSS., and also by the Masora; though considerable difference exists as to what the word should be read. If the authority of the ancient versions alone were to decide, some verb in the past tense must be read, but the most reasonable course is to accept the present text, but with a different vowel, treating it as a participle, with suffix, of <span class= "ital">k-r, </span>whose root-idea, according to Ewald, is "to bind;" but according to most other scholars is "to dig." It is, however, so doubtful whether it can mean <span class= "ital">to dig through</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, to pierce--that it is better to understand here a binding of the limbs so tightly as to <span class= "ital">dig into </span>them, and wound them. Render: "The band of villains [literally, <span class= "ital">breakers</span>] surrounded me, binding my hands and feet so as to cut them."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For dogs have compassed me.</span> "Dogs" now encompass the Sufferer, perhaps the subordinate agents in the cruelties - the rude Roman soldiery, who laid rough hands on the adorable Person (<a href="/matthew/27-27.htm">Matthew 27:27-35</a>). Oriental dogs are savage and of unclean habits, whence the term "dog" in the East has always been, and still is, a term of reproach. <span class="cmt_word">The assembly of the wicked have enclosed me</span>; or, <span class="accented">a band of wicked ones have shut me in.</span> The "band" of Roman soldiers (<a href="/mark/15-16.htm">Mark 15:16</a>) seems foreshadowed. <span class="cmt_word">They pierced my hands and</span> <span class="cmt_word">my feet.</span> There are no sufficient critical grounds for relinquishing (with Hengstenberg) this interpretation. It has the support of the Septuagint, the Syriac, the Arabic, and the Vulgate Versions, and is maintained by Ewald, Reinke, Bohl, Moll, Kay, the writer in the 'Speaker's Commentary,' and our Revisers. Whether the true reading be <span class="accented">kaaru</span> (<span class="hebrew">כָאְרַוּ</span>) or <span class="accented">kaari</span> (<span class="hebrew">כָאֲרִי</span>), the sense will be the same, <span class="accented">kaarl</span> being the apocopated participle of the verb, whereof <span class="accented">kaaru</span> is the 3rd pers. plu. indic. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/22-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dogs</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(kə·lā·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3611.htm">Strong's 3611: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dog, a male prostitute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surround me;</span><br /><span class="heb">סְבָב֗וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(sə·ḇā·ḇū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a band</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲדַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḏaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stated assemblage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of evil men</span><br /><span class="heb">מְ֭רֵעִים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·rê·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad</span><br /><br /><span class="word">encircles me;</span><br /><span class="heb">הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(hiq·qî·p̄ū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5362.htm">Strong's 5362: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike, to knock together, surround, circulate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have pierced</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(kā·’ă·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3738.htm">Strong's 3738: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dig, to plot, to bore, open</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my hands</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and feet.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרַגְלָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·raḡ·lāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foot, a step, the pudenda</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 22:16 For dogs have surrounded me (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/22-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 22:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 22:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/22-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 22:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 22:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>