Psalms 22:16 - 2 different translations - which is correct?

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Needevidence

Active member
Mar 15, 2023
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#1
"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet
Or
For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet
 

notmyown

Senior Member
May 26, 2016
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#2
textual criticism isn't my forte, but i will say it's imprudent to approach the Bible with a hermeneutic of suspicion.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
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#3
"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet
Or
For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet
Suspicion is the very thing we should have. Sound teaching is the object and sound teaching begins with sound translation.

The whole problem seems to center on how the Hebrew kāarî should be translated. I'm not a Hebrew scholar so I don't have an opinion on the better translation, but see here for some information on the issues: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/22-16.htm.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#4
"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet
Or
For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet
“For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭22:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:44‬ ‭

Given that Jesus was crucified it seems like understanding it’s about Jesus crucifixion leans towards one being legitimate because of the constant theme in the law prophets and psalms about his crucifixion

“And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭13:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“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 his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭12:10‬ ‭KJV‬

“For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What is written in the ot was about messiah fulfilled is the idea

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. ….

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

….And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”
‭‭John‬ ‭19:23, 28, 34, 37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What im saying is there are always consistent themes like Jesus being crucified so my opinion , nothing of authority , is it seems to interpret it’s own self one version agrees with the rest of what the Bible says about Jesus and was fulfilled when they crucified him another was fulfilled when they pierced his Side and another when they cast lord for his garments when they walked by railing upon him and laughing at him ect

the whole gospel is also written on the ot to convince us it’s true
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,298
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#5
"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet
Or
For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet
Neither of these are from the KJV, right? Where did you get them? Which do you think is most correct? Or, are you just playing a game?

Psalm 22:16 King James Version 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,607
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#6
Does Psalm 22 Really Say “They Pierced My Hands and My Feet”?

 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#7
"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet
Or
For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet
The Leningrad Codex has long be regarded as representative of the traditional Hebrew Masoretic Text. And here is what is written therein:
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃ (reading from right to left)

Literal interlinear translation: For dogs have surrounded me. The congregation of the wicked has enclosed me. They pierced my hands and my feet.

King James Bible: For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,701
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#8
I say go with KJV. It has not been improved upon by other English translations.

Psalms 22:16
“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”

King James Version (KJV)
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#9
Psalms 22:17
“I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.”
King James Version (KJV)

Psalms 22:18
“They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”
King James Version (KJV)

The context validates v.16 in KJV.
 

Needevidence

Active member
Mar 15, 2023
222
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#10
Suspicion is the very thing we should have. Sound teaching is the object and sound teaching begins with sound translation.

The whole problem seems to center on how the Hebrew kāarî should be translated. I'm not a Hebrew scholar so I don't have an opinion on the better translation, but see here for some information on the issues: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/22-16.htm.
I should have been clearer in my Q.


Psalms 22:16 regardless of the version its very similar - For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

However, the Masoretic Hebrew Texts that has been pointed out to me by a Jew is;

Psalm 22:17 (Hebrew text) כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃

Here we can see Masoretic Text clearly has כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י kā-’ă-rî, the word 'kaari' which seems to be the issue.

P22:17 17 For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet.

example:

Isaiah 38: 13 - I have considered until morning— Like a lion (the word kaari), So He breaks all my bones; From day until night You make an end of me.

Psalms 22:21 reads
Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

I have also seen some videos on you tube - I’m trying to work out what is the correct translation and why?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#11
Psalm 22:17 (Hebrew text)
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃
This is exactly from the Leningrad Codex (the Masoretic Text).

Westminster Leningrad Codex (from Bible Hub)
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃

And here is the meaning:
כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י (kā-’ă-rî) = they pierced. There is nothing about a lion in that word! See below:

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[כאר] see II. כור.

II. [כוּר] verb meaning dubious, perhaps bore, or dig, or hew (DlProl. 121 compare Assyrian kâru, fell trees (DlHWB 324)) — only

Qal Perfect3plural כארו = כָּארוּ for כָּרוּ Psalm 22:17 (ᵑ0 כָּאֲרִי, see אֲרִי)
they have bored (digged, hewn) my hands and my feet (si vera lectio; compare Vrss De Pe Che Bae and others; some, however, deriving from כרה in this sense); hence perhaps following.

So someone -- A JEW -- is trying to misrepresent the Hebrew as well as change the meaning of this verse. That should simply be dismissed as nonsense, since it really makes no sense.
 

Needevidence

Active member
Mar 15, 2023
222
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#12
Does Psalm 22 Really Say “They Pierced My Hands and My Feet”?

“For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭22:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:44‬ ‭

Given that Jesus was crucified it seems like understanding it’s about Jesus crucifixion leans towards one being legitimate because of the constant theme in the law prophets and psalms about his crucifixion

“And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭13:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“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 his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭12:10‬ ‭KJV‬

“For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What is written in the ot was about messiah fulfilled is the idea

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. ….

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

….And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”
‭‭John‬ ‭19:23, 28, 34, 37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What im saying is there are always consistent themes like Jesus being crucified so my opinion , nothing of authority , is it seems to interpret it’s own self one version agrees with the rest of what the Bible says about Jesus and was fulfilled when they crucified him another was fulfilled when they pierced his Side and another when they cast lord for his garments when they walked by railing upon him and laughing at him ect

the whole gospel is also written on the ot to convince us it’s true
yes noted / agreed - see my above post for clarification - also Zechariah‬ ‭12:10‬ ‭KJV‬ causes another problem - I have looked it up on biblehub - 'they pierced' uses a different word.
דָּקָ֑רוּ
dā-qā-rū;
 

Needevidence

Active member
Mar 15, 2023
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#13
This is exactly from the Leningrad Codex (the Masoretic Text).

Westminster Leningrad Codex (from Bible Hub)
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃

And here is the meaning:
כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י (kā-’ă-rî) = they pierced. There is nothing about a lion in that word! See below:

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[כאר] see II. כור.

II. [כוּר] verb meaning dubious, perhaps bore, or dig, or hew (DlProl. 121 compare Assyrian kâru, fell trees (DlHWB 324)) — only

Qal Perfect3plural כארו = כָּארוּ for כָּרוּ Psalm 22:17 (ᵑ0 כָּאֲרִי, see אֲרִי) they have bored (digged, hewn) my hands and my feet (si vera lectio; compare Vrss De Pe Che Bae and others; some, however, deriving from כרה in this sense); hence perhaps following.

So someone -- A JEW -- is trying to misrepresent the Hebrew as well as change the meaning of this verse. That should simply be dismissed as nonsense, since it really makes no sense.

Yes I appreciate that - but the Hebrew appears to have a different translation - even the below has 'lion'

Brown-Driver-Briggs' - strong #738 & biblehub Strong's Concordance have 'ari' as 'lion'

Numbers 24:9
‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’ “Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you.”

738 [e]כַּאֲרִ֛י
ka-’ă-rî
as a lion


Soooo, confusing.
 

Needevidence

Active member
Mar 15, 2023
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#14
Does Psalm 22 Really Say “They Pierced My Hands and My Feet”?

Hi - Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran - psalms 22:16 is unfortunately missing - 'Nahal Hever Cave' I have argued - but that also appears to have many issues as some of the letters are not readable and considered a second century document.
 
Jun 20, 2022
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#15
"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet
Or
For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet
This One:

כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃
Dogs surround me;
a pack of evil ones closes in on me,
like lions [they maul] my hands and feet.
 

Needevidence

Active member
Mar 15, 2023
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#17
This One:

כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי כָּ֝אֲרִ֗י יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃
Dogs surround me;
a pack of evil ones closes in on me,
like lions [they maul] my hands and feet.

Why do you say this one - is this the correct translation of the hebrew work kaari? Would that imply that this has been incorrectly translated in the bible?
 

Needevidence

Active member
Mar 15, 2023
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#18
Stick with what we know for a fact. They pierced His hands and feet. B-D-B referred to Ps 22:16 and confirmed that.
That's what Im trying to work out, what is the fact? or do we just go by what we have told / understood it to be and do not Q it.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#19
That's what Im trying to work out, what is the fact? or do we just go by what we have told / understood it to be and do not Q it.
Why are you trying to work out what is already plainly revealed in the Gospels? Do you believe God or do you trust your own limited intelligence?
 

selahsays

Well-known member
May 31, 2023
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#20
Psalms 22:16 "For dogs have compassed me: The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: They pierced my hands and my feet."

Jesus is saying that these "dogs" are His enemies; they have surrounded Him. These enemies of Christ pierced His hands and His feet as they nailed Him to the cross.

Psalm 22 is a prophetic chapter; it is the psalm of the crucifixion. IMG_5423.gif

selah