
Text -- Psalms 22:12 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: Psa 22:12 - -- Wicked and violent, and potent enemies; for such are so called, Eze 39:18; Amo 4:1.

As the cattle there bred were, and therefore fierce and furious.
JFB -> Psa 22:12-13
JFB: Psa 22:12-13 - -- His enemies, with the vigor of bulls and rapacity of lions, surround him, eagerly seeking his ruin. The force of both figures is greater without the u...
His enemies, with the vigor of bulls and rapacity of lions, surround him, eagerly seeking his ruin. The force of both figures is greater without the use of any particle denoting comparison.
Clarke: Psa 22:12 - -- Many bulls have compassed me - The bull is the emblem of brutal strength, that gores and tramples down all before it. Such was Absalom, Ahithophel, ...
Many bulls have compassed me - The bull is the emblem of brutal strength, that gores and tramples down all before it. Such was Absalom, Ahithophel, and others, who rose up in rebellion against David; and such were the Jewish rulers who conspired against Christ

Clarke: Psa 22:12 - -- Strong bulls of Bashan - Bashan was a district beyond Jordan, very fertile, where they were accustomed to fatten cattle, which became, in consequenc...
Strong bulls of Bashan - Bashan was a district beyond Jordan, very fertile, where they were accustomed to fatten cattle, which became, in consequence of the excellent pasture, the largest, as well as the fattest, in the country. See Calmet. All in whose hands were the chief power and influence became David’ s enemies; for Absalom had stolen away the hearts of all Israel. Against Christ, the chiefs both of Jews and Gentiles were united.
Calvin -> Psa 22:12
Calvin: Psa 22:12 - -- 12.Strong bulls have encompassed me The Psalmist now complains of the cruelty and barbarous rage of his enemies; and he compares them first to bulls,...
12.Strong bulls have encompassed me The Psalmist now complains of the cruelty and barbarous rage of his enemies; and he compares them first to bulls, secondly to lions, and thirdly to dogs. When the anger of bulls is kindled, we know how fierce and terrible they are. The lion, also, is a cruel beast, and dreadful to mankind. And the eager and fierce boldness with which dogs, when once they are irritated, rush upon a man to do him injury, is well known. In short, David’s enemies were so blood-thirsty and cruel, that they more resembled wild beasts than men. He calls them not simply bulls, but strong bulls. Instead of rendering the original word
TSK -> Psa 22:12

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Psa 22:12
Barnes: Psa 22:12 - -- Many bulls have compassed me - Men with the fierceness and fury of bulls. Compare Isa 51:20; Psa 68:30. Strong bulls of Bashan - The coun...
Many bulls have compassed me - Men with the fierceness and fury of bulls. Compare Isa 51:20; Psa 68:30.
Strong bulls of Bashan - The country of Bashan embraced the territory which was on the east of the Jordan, north of Gilead, which was given to the half tribe of Manasseh: compare Gen 14:5 with Jos 12:4-6. It was distinguished as pasture land for its richness. Its trees and its breed of cattle are frequently referred to in the Scriptures. Thus in Deu 32:14, "rams of the breed of Bashan"are mentioned; in Isa 2:13, Zec 11:2, "oaks of Bashan"are mentioned in connection with the cedars of Lebanon; in Amo 4:1, "the kine of Bashan"are mentioned. The bulls of Bashan are here alluded to as remarkable for their size, their strength, and their fierceness; and are designed to represent men that were fierce, savage, and violent. As applied to the Redeemer, the allusion is to the fierce and cruel men that persecuted him and sought his life. No one can doubt that the allusion is applicable to his persecutors and murderers; and no one can show that the thought indicated by this phrase also may not have passed through the mind of the Redeemer when on the cross.
Poole -> Psa 22:12
Poole: Psa 22:12 - -- Bulls wicked, and violent, and potent enemies; for such are so called, Eze 39:18 Amo 4:1 .
Strong bulls of Bashan i.e. fat and lusty, as the cattle...
Bulls wicked, and violent, and potent enemies; for such are so called, Eze 39:18 Amo 4:1 .
Strong bulls of Bashan i.e. fat and lusty, as the cattle there bred were, Deu 3:13 32:14 , and therefore fierce and furious.
Gill -> Psa 22:12
Gill: Psa 22:12 - -- Many bulls have compassed me,.... By whom are meant the chief priests, elders, Scribes, and Pharisees, among the Jews, and Herod and Pontius Pilate am...
Many bulls have compassed me,.... By whom are meant the chief priests, elders, Scribes, and Pharisees, among the Jews, and Herod and Pontius Pilate among the Gentiles, comparable to bulls for their fierceness, rage, and fury against Christ, Psa 2:1; and for their pushing at him with their horns of power and authority, and for their trampling him under their feet, his person and offices; these compassed him about at his apprehension, arraignment, trial, and condemnation; and there were many of them to one child, Jesus:
strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round; Bashan was a very fruitful country, in which cattle of various sorts, and bulls among the rest, were fed and fattened; see Deu 32:14; bulls are noted for their strength in other writers a. Hence great men, who abounded in riches and power, and used them to the oppression of the poor, are compared to the kine of Bashan, Amo 4:1; and a very fit name this was for the kings and princes of the earth; for Caiaphas, Annas, and the chief priests, that lived upon the fat of the land, who beset Christ around, and employed all their power and policy to take him and bring him to death; nor is it unusual with Heathen writers b to compare great personages to bulls.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Psa 22:12 Bashan, located east of the Jordan River, was well-known for its cattle. See Ezek 39:18; Amos 4:1.
Geneva Bible -> Psa 22:12
Geneva Bible: Psa 22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong ( g ) [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.
( g ) He means that his enemies were so fat, proud and cruel that t...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 22:1-31
TSK Synopsis: Psa 22:1-31 - --1 David complains in great discouragement.9 He prays in great distress.23 He praises God.
MHCC -> Psa 22:11-21
MHCC: Psa 22:11-21 - --In these verses we have Christ suffering, and Christ praying; by which we are directed to look for crosses, and to look up to God under them. The very...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 22:11-21
Matthew Henry: Psa 22:11-21 - -- In these verses we have Christ suffering and Christ praying, by which we are directed to look for crosses and to look up to God under them. I. Here ...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 22:12-13
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 22:12-13 - --
(Heb.: 22:13-14) Looking back upon his relationship to God, which has existed from the earliest times, the sufferer has become somewhat more calm, ...
Constable: Psa 22:1-31 - --Psalm 22
The mood of this psalm contrasts dramatically with that of Psalm 21. In this one David felt for...

Constable: Psa 22:10-17 - --2. Foes and fatigue 22:11-18
22:11 David cried out to God to be near him with saving help since he was in great danger and there was no one to assist ...

Constable: Psa 22:11-14 - --David's enemies and agony 22:12-15
22:12-13 The psalmist felt he was at the mercy of his enemies as a person is in the presence of a dangerous bull or...
