What historical context explains the imagery in Psalm 22:12? Canonical Setting and Translation Psalm 22:12 reads: “Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.” The psalm is attributed to David (Psalm 22:1 superscription) and serves both as his own lament and as a prophetic portrait of the Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Hebrews 2:11-12). Author and Date David wrote from c. 1010–970 BC, probably during a period of intense persecution—most plausibly his flight from Saul (1 Samuel 19–27). The Holy Spirit inspired language that transcended David’s immediate context and foreshadowed Golgotha roughly a millennium later. Geographical Context: Bashan Bashan lies east of the Jordan River, bounded by Mount Hermon to the north and the Yarmuk River to the south (modern Golan Heights). Deuteronomy 3 recounts Israel’s conquest of Bashan from Og, the last of the Rephaim. Basaltic soil, high rainfall, and abundant springs produced luxuriant pastures (Deuteronomy 32:14), making Bashan proverbial for vigorous cattle. Agricultural Prosperity and the Reputation of Bashan’s Cattle Ancient Near-Eastern records and archaeology confirm this reputation: • Basalt-carved bull figurines discovered at Tel Dan (9th cent. BC) and Tel Hazor (13th cent. BC) attest to prized bovines. • Late Bronze Age bovine bones excavated in the Golan show markedly larger dimensions than contemporaneous lowland breeds. Because of the lush grasslands, “cows of Bashan” became shorthand for well-fed luxury (Amos 4:1) and “fatlings of Bashan” for sacrifices (Ezekiel 39:18). Political and Military Power of Bashan in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Og’s territory symbolized formidable strength (Joshua 12:4; Deuteronomy 3:11). Ugaritic tablets (13th cent. BC) describe “Bashan of the serpent-spirits” (btn), linking the region to warrior imagery and demonic foes. Thus, David’s choice evokes not merely bovine power but historic enemy strongholds. Bulls in Ancient Near-Eastern Symbolism Across Mesopotamia and Canaan, the bull signified virility, kingship, and storm-god Baal. Reliefs from Sam’al (8th cent. BC) and ivories from Samaria depict rulers as raging bulls. David’s metaphor therefore paints his enemies as idolatrous, arrogant, and divinely opposed, contrasting their might with Yahweh’s holiness (Psalm 22:3). Idolatry versus Yahwistic Faith: Bashan as a Metaphor for Spiritual Opposition After Israel’s settlement, Bashan oscillated between covenant loyalty and Canaanite influence (1 Kings 4:13). Prophets later used Bashan as a symbol of apostasy (Jeremiah 50:19; Zechariah 11:2). Within this theological backdrop, “strong bulls of Bashan” personifies both tangible soldiers and unseen powers hostile to God’s anointed (cf. Ephesians 6:12). Literary Function within Psalm 22 Psalm 22 moves from physical threats (vv. 12-13), to bodily suffering (vv. 14-17), to social scorn (vv. 6-8). The encircling bulls parallel “ravening and roaring lions” (v. 13) and “dogs” (v. 16), intensifying the siege imagery. Their strength highlights the sufferer’s utter helplessness and sets the stage for divine deliverance (vv. 21-24). Messianic and Prophetic Fulfillment in the Passion Narratives The Gospels apply Psalm 22 to Jesus: mockery (Psalm 22:7-8 // Matthew 27:43), pierced hands and feet (Psalm 22:16 // John 20:25), and divided garments (Psalm 22:18 // John 19:24). The “bulls of Bashan” correspond historically to the Sanhedrin, Roman cohort, and unseen demonic forces surrounding Calvary (Colossians 2:15). Early church fathers (e.g., Justin Martyr, Dial. 99) read the bulls as allegory for the crucifiers’ brutality. Archaeological and Textual Corroboration 1. The Mesha Stele (c. 840 BC) references victories “in Ataroth of the men of Gad… for the flock-land of Yahweh,” linking Transjordan pastoral wealth with biblical tribes. 2. Assyrian annals of Tiglath-Pileser III note the conquest of “Bashan-land,” confirming its strategic prominence and military associations. 3. The Aramaic Incantation Texts from Deir ‘Alla mention “divine bulls,” echoing spiritual warfare language. Theological Emphasis: Power Conquered by Weakness David’s imagery underscores that human and demonic might—however impressive—cannot thwart God’s redemptive plan. The crucifixion, foreshadowed here, turns apparent defeat into cosmic victory (1 Corinthians 2:8). The strong bull is subdued by the “Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:6). Summary Historically, Psalm 22:12 draws on (1) the lush, cattle-rich landscape of Bashan, (2) the region’s storied military strength under Og and later kings, (3) widespread bull symbolism of power and paganism, and (4) the prophetic vista of Messiah’s suffering amid brutal, idolatrous foes. Archaeology, extrabiblical texts, and the unified testimony of Scripture converge to illuminate the verse’s vivid imagery and its ultimate fulfillment at the cross. |
    |