Bashan's Bulls: Overwhelmed in the Psalms

Here is a study of Psalms 22:12:

This verse paints a vivid picture of distress and being overwhelmed by powerful adversaries. The psalmist uses imagery that would have been well understood by his audience.

“Many bulls surround me”: The word for “many” is Strong’s H7227, indicating a large number. The “bulls” (Strong’s H6499) are not simply animals but represent powerful, aggressive, and dangerous enemies. The verb “surround me” (Strong’s H5437) indicates being closed in on all sides, with no escape.
“strong bulls of Bashan encircle me”: The phrase “strong bulls” uses the adjective Strong’s H47, emphasizing their immense power and ferocity. Bashan was a region east of the Jordan River, known for its fertile pastures and robust livestock, particularly cattle. Therefore, “bulls of Bashan” (Strong’s H1316) evokes an image of the most formidable and aggressive animals. The verb “encircle me” (Strong’s H3803) further emphasizes the relentless and overwhelming nature of these enemies.

The Psalmist’s Predicament

Psalms 22 describes intense suffering and a feeling of abandonment, often seen as a prophetic psalm pointing to the Messiah’s suffering. The psalmist feels surrounded and threatened by powerful forces that are closing in on him. This isn’t just a physical threat but also an emotional and spiritual one, where the enemies are depicted as overwhelming in their strength and numbers.

Connections to Other Scriptures

This imagery of being surrounded by enemies is common in the Psalms and throughout Scripture, highlighting the trials faced by God’s people.

Psalms 3:1: David often felt surrounded by enemies. “O LORD, how many are my foes! Many rise up against me.” This shows that the feeling of being overwhelmed was not unique to the psalmist of Psalm 22.
Psalms 142:3: “When my spirit faints within me, you know my path. In the way where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me.” This verse, also attributed to David, speaks to the hidden dangers and the overwhelming nature of his adversaries.
Luke 22:53: Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, speaks of the forces that came to arrest Him: “Am I not receiving this from the Father? Should I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” He faces a multitude of adversaries, echoing the psalmist’s sense of being surrounded.
Matthew 27:1: The context of Jesus’ crucifixion, which this psalm is often interpreted to foreshadow, involves the chief priests and elders plotting against Him, representing powerful religious and political opposition.

The powerful imagery in Psalms 22:12 serves to convey the extreme danger and the feeling of utter helplessness the psalmist experiences, setting the stage for his cry to God for deliverance.

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