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 22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/22-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/19_Psa_022_012.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 22:12 - The Psalm of the Cross" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me." /><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/22-12.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/22-12.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 12</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="/ad12.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/22-11.htm" title="Psalm 22:11">◄</a> Psalm 22:12 <a href="/psalms/22-13.htm" title="Psalm 22:13">►</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 />Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.<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 herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls have compassed me: strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have beset me round.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have encircled Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Many [enemies like] bulls have surrounded me; Strong <i>bulls</i> of Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls surround me; strong ones of Bashan encircle me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls surround me; strong ones of Bashan encircle me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Many bulls have compassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Enemies are all around like a herd of wild bulls. Powerful bulls from Bashan are everywhere. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls from Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Many enemies surround me like bulls; they are all around me, like fierce bulls from the land of Bashan. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me; the vicious bulls of Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls surround me; powerful bulls of Bashan hem me in. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me. Mighty ones of Bashan have encircled me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded Me, "" Mighty ones of Bashan have surrounded Me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Many bulls have surrounded me, Mighty ones of Bashan have compassed me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Many bulls surrounded me: the strong of Bashan surrounded me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 21:13>Many calves have surrounded me; fat bulls have besieged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls surround me; fierce bulls of Bashan encircle me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Many bulls encircle me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me: strong bulls of Bashan have besieged me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Many bulls have surrounded me and young bulls of Bayshan encircled me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Many bulls have encompassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Many bullocks have compassed me: fat bulls have beset me round.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/22-12.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=2235" 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">11</span>Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: rab·bîm (Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">Many</a> <a href="/hebrew/6499.htm" title="6499: pā·rîm (N-mp) -- Young bull, steer. Or par; from parar; a bullock.">bulls</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/47.htm" title="47: ’ab·bî·rê (Adj-mpc) -- Mighty, valiant. For 'abiyr.">strong</a> <a href="/hebrew/1316.htm" title="1316: ḇā·šān (N-proper-fs) -- Smooth, a region E. of the Jordan. Of uncertain derivation; Bashan, a region East of the Jordan.">bulls of Bashan</a> <a href="/hebrew/3803.htm" title="3803: kit·tə·rū·nî (V-Piel-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- To surround. A primitive root; to enclose; hence to crown, to besiege; also to wait.">encircle me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul.…<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="/matthew/27-39.htm">Matthew 27:39-43</a></span><br />And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-29.htm">Mark 15:29-32</a></span><br />And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, / come down from the cross and save Yourself!” / In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-35.htm">Luke 23:35-37</a></span><br />The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” / The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. / “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-28.htm">John 19:28-30</a></span><br />After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” / A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. / When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-2.htm">Hebrews 12:2</a></span><br />Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7-8</a></span><br />but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3-7</a></span><br />He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / 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/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a></span><br />The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-23.htm">1 Peter 2:23-24</a></span><br />When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. / He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-67.htm">Matthew 26:67-68</a></span><br />Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him / and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”<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 18:22-23</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?” / Jesus replied, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what was wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why did you strike Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-32.htm">Acts 8:32-35</a></span><br />The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. / In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.” / “Tell me,” said the eunuch, “who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.</p><p class="hdg">Many</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/68-30.htm">Psalm 68:30</a></b></br> Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, <i>till every one</i> submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people <i>that</i> delight in war.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/50-11.htm">Jeremiah 50:11</a></b></br> Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;</p><p class="hdg">strong</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-14.htm">Deuteronomy 32:14,15</a></b></br> Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/34-7.htm">Isaiah 34:7</a></b></br> And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/39-18.htm">Ezekiel 39:18</a></b></br> Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-22.htm">Bashan</a> <a href="/judges/20-5.htm">Beset</a> <a href="/job/42-8.htm">Bulls</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-11.htm">Encircle</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-14.htm">Encircled</a> <a href="/psalms/17-9.htm">Encompass</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/21-5.htm">Great</a> <a href="/2_samuel/17-29.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/psalms/20-6.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/psalms/19-13.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/psalms/8-7.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/psalms/18-11.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/17-11.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/psalms/18-5.htm">Surrounded</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Bashan</a> <a href="/psalms/31-21.htm">Beset</a> <a href="/psalms/50-13.htm">Bulls</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-3.htm">Encircle</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Encircled</a> <a href="/psalms/26-6.htm">Encompass</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/22-25.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/68-30.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/psalms/24-8.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/psalms/22-29.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/psalms/22-21.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/24-2.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/27-6.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Surrounded</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>Many bulls surround me;</b><br>This phrase evokes a vivid image of being encircled by powerful and threatening forces. In biblical times, bulls were symbols of strength and ferocity. The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, uses this imagery to convey a sense of being overwhelmed by enemies. This can be seen as a metaphor for the adversaries that David faced throughout his life, including King Saul and various foreign nations. The imagery of being surrounded by bulls also foreshadows the intense opposition Jesus faced from religious leaders and Roman authorities during His crucifixion, as <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a> is often viewed as a messianic prophecy.<p><b>strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.</b><br>Bashan was a region known for its fertile land and strong cattle, located east of the Jordan River. The reference to "strong bulls of Bashan" emphasizes the formidable nature of the adversaries. Historically, Bashan was a place of great prosperity and strength, often associated with powerful kings and armies. This phrase suggests not only the physical strength of the enemies but also their intimidating presence. In a prophetic sense, this can be seen as a type of the spiritual and physical forces that opposed Christ, highlighting the intensity of His suffering and the fulfillment of prophecy in His passion. The encircling of these "bulls" underscores the isolation and vulnerability experienced by both David and Jesus in their respective trials.<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 distress and persecution.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/bulls_of_bashan.htm">Bulls of Bashan</a></b><br>Bashan was a region known for its fertile land and strong cattle. The "bulls of Bashan" symbolize powerful and oppressive enemies.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/bashan.htm">Bashan</a></b><br>A region east of the Jordan River, known for its rich pastures and strong livestock, often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent strength and abundance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_opposition.htm">Understanding Spiritual Opposition</a></b><br>Just as David felt surrounded by powerful enemies, Christians today may feel overwhelmed by spiritual or worldly opposition. Recognizing these forces helps us rely on God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_strength_and_oppression.htm">Symbolism of Strength and Oppression</a></b><br>The "bulls of Bashan" symbolize not just physical strength but also spiritual and emotional oppression. Identifying these in our lives can help us seek God's deliverance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prophetic_fulfillment_in_christ.htm">Prophetic Fulfillment in Christ</a></b><br>This verse, within the context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a>, foreshadows the suffering of Christ. Understanding this connection deepens our appreciation for the fulfillment of prophecy in the New Testament.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_deliverance.htm">Trust in God's Deliverance</a></b><br>Despite being surrounded by enemies, the psalmist ultimately trusts in God's deliverance. This teaches us to maintain faith in God's power to save us from our adversaries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/vigilance_against_spiritual_enemies.htm">Vigilance Against Spiritual Enemies</a></b><br>Just as the psalmist was aware of his enemies, Christians are called to be vigilant against spiritual threats, using prayer and scripture as defenses.<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/what_are_the_strong_bulls_of_bashan.htm">What are the Strong Bulls of Bashan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_living_authentically.htm">What are the Strong Bulls of Bashan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_'cows_of_bashan'_fit_history.htm">Amos 4:1 – How can we reconcile the reference to “cows of Bashan” with historical or archeological records of that region’s social elite? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_sacrifices_fade_by_new_testament.htm">If God is unchanging, why did these explicit sacrificial commands lose prominence by New Testament times (cf. Hebrews 10:1-10)?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">Bulls of Bashan.</span>--For "Bashan" see <a href="/numbers/21-33.htm" title="And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.">Numbers 21:33</a>; for its pastures and cattle, comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-14.htm" title="Butter of cows, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and you did drink the pure blood of the grape.">Deuteronomy 32:14</a>, and for the figures, <a href="/amos/4-1.htm" title="Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.">Amos 4:1</a>. Instead of "fat bulls," the LXX. and Vulgate paraphrase "strong ones of Bashan." The point of the comparison lies in the wantonness and insolence of pampered pride, displayed by the minions of fortune.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> <span class="cmt_word">- Many bulls have compassed</span> <span class="cmt_word">me.</span> The Sufferer represents the adversaries who crowd around him under the figure of "bulls" - fierce animals in all parts of the world, and in Palestine particularly' wild and ferocious. "Bulls,, and buffaloes are very numerous, says Canon Tristram, "in Southern Judaea; they are in the habit of gathering in a circle around any novel or unaccustomed object, and may be easily instigated into charging with their horns" ('Natural History of the Bible,' p. 71). <span class="cmt_word">Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round</span>. Bashan, the richest pasture-g"round of Palestine, produces the largest and strongest animals (<a href="/ezekiel/39-18.htm">Ezekiel 39:18</a>). Hence "the kine of Bashan" became an expression for powerful oppressors (<a href="/amos/4-1.htm">Amos 4:1</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/22-12.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">Many</span><br /><span class="heb">רַבִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(rab·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many, great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bulls</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(pā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6499.htm">Strong's 6499: </a> </span><span class="str2">Young bull, steer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surround me;</span><br /><span class="heb">סְ֭בָבוּנִי</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">strong</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבִּירֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ab·bî·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_47.htm">Strong's 47: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mighty, valiant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[bulls] of Bashan</span><br /><span class="heb">בָשָׁ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·šān)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1316.htm">Strong's 1316: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bashan -- 'smooth', a region East of the Jordan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">encircle me.</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּתְּרֽוּנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(kit·tə·rū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3803.htm">Strong's 3803: </a> </span><span class="str2">To enclose, to crown, to besiege, to wait</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 22:12 Many bulls have surrounded me (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/22-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 22:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 22:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/22-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 22:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 22:13" /></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>