Is it "pierced" or "like a lion" in Psalm 22:16? Introduction to Psalm 22:16 Psalm 22 is widely recognized for its vivid imagery that echoes events later described in the Gospels concerning the suffering of the Messiah. In verse 16 (Berean Standard Bible), the English conveys, “For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.” Still, some manuscripts and translations contain the phrase “like a lion my hands and feet.” This entry explores the textual variant behind “pierced” or “like a lion,” referencing manuscript evidence, historical documents, linguistic details, and scholarly discussions. Textual Variant Explained The underlying Hebrew text of Psalm 22:16 (verse 17 in some Hebrew versification) commonly features one of two readings: 1. “כָּאֲרִי” (ka’ari), meaning “like a lion.” 2. “כָּרוּ” (karu) or a closely related form, often rendered “they have pierced” or “they have dug.” The potential confusion arises because the Hebrew letters that would distinguish between ka’ari (כארי) and karu (כרו) are easily confused in certain manuscripts. While the Masoretic Text (MT) most commonly reads ka’ari, several other ancient witnesses and possible variants support a verb form meaning “they have pierced.” Manuscript and Linguistic Considerations 1. Masoretic Text (MT) • The Masoretic tradition frequently preserves “כָּאֲרִי” (ka’ari). However, marginal notes and comparisons with older manuscripts often reveal the scribes’ awareness of alternate readings. • Some scholars note that if the precise reading were genuinely “like a lion my hands and feet,” the sentence may appear grammatically incomplete in Hebrew, prompting many to favor the verbal reading “they have pierced.” 2. Dead Sea Scrolls • Fragments from the Dead Sea region, such as those in 5/6HevPs (though fragmentary), indicate a reading that aligns more closely with “they have pierced.” • Many textual critics consider these scrolls significant because they predate the medieval MT by almost a millennium, lending potential support to an older, alternate reading. 3. Septuagint (Greek Translation, LXX) • The ancient Greek translation rendered the Hebrew with terms meaning “they have dug” or “they have pierced” (e.g., ὤρυξαν, “they have dug”). • The Septuagint often reflects very early Hebrew variants—sometimes more ancient than the standard MT—so its agreement with a “pierced” conception carries notable weight for many researchers. 4. Symmachus, Aquila, and Other Versions • Early Greek translators, such as Aquila and Symmachus, sometimes diverge from the LXX, but on Psalm 22:16, these versions also suggest a verb that aligns with an act of piercing or cutting. • The consistency across multiple ancient translations underlines the likelihood of a verbal reading rather than the noun “lion.” Contextual and Theological Implications 1. Grammatical Construction • If the reading were truly “like a lion my hands and feet,” it presents an unusual phrase in Hebrew: “like a lion, my hands and feet.” Critics note that such a phrase lacks a verb or direct statement, making it problematic. • The verb-centered reading “they have pierced” fits the context better, especially within a lament describing physical suffering. 2. Messianic Prophecy • Psalm 22 includes multiple references that many see fulfilled in the crucifixion accounts of the Gospels. Verse 16 resonates with the imagery of crucifixion when read as “they have pierced my hands and feet.” • Historically, this has been cited by early believers to show the predictive element of the Hebrew Scriptures pointing toward the sufferings of the Messiah. 3. Consistency with the Broader Chapter • Psalm 22 opens with, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”, words echoed by Jesus in Matthew 27:46. • The references to mocking, casting lots for clothing (Psalm 22:18), and bones being visible (Psalm 22:17) align more naturally with a depiction of bodily harm, reinforcing the “they have pierced” rendering. Archaeological and Historical Observations 1. First-Century Crucifixion Practices • Archaeological discoveries, such as the remains of a crucified victim named Yehohanan found in Jerusalem (with a nail in the heel bone), confirm the historical reality of pierced limbs in Roman executions. This lends credibility to the concept that Psalm 22:16 could prophetically reference such a practice. • Although the immediate setting of David’s writing is not first-century Rome, many interpret these details in Psalm 22 as foreshadowing the suffering Messiah in a manner consistent with ancient crucifixion. 2. Manuscript Discovery Patterns • With the unearthing of early manuscripts in the Dead Sea region, scholars have gained further insight into textual variants that might have been smoothed over or lost in medieval copying traditions. • These discoveries continually affirm that, while some textual variants exist, they rarely affect the overall theological message of Scripture. In this case, evidence strongly supports “they have pierced.” Modern Translations and Scholarly Insights 1. Berean Standard Bible • The translation presents Psalm 22:16 as, “For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.” • This choice reflects the translators’ conclusion that the evidence favors “they have pierced” rather than “like a lion.” 2. Scholarly Consensus • While not entirely unanimous, a strong majority of critical scholars acknowledge that the reading “they have pierced” has firm support from the Septuagint, certain Dead Sea Scrolls, and the lack of coherent syntax with “like a lion.” • Linguistic specialists also note the plausibility that an ancient scribe’s slight alteration of letters could have resulted in the variant “like a lion.” 3. Weight of Evidence • The converging data from ancient translations, older Hebrew manuscripts, and contextual coherence tilt in favor of “they have pierced my hands and feet.” • This reading has become a standard in most mainstream English translations. Implications for Study and Faith Psalm 22:16 is an example of how careful attention to manuscript evidence deepens understanding of biblical texts. Where variants occur, thorough comparison with the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient translations, and the internal logic of the passage can clarify a consistent message. Here, the “pierced” reading preserves the coherent prophetic description that believers have historically recognized as fulfilled in the crucifixion. From a devotional or theological standpoint, seeing the phrase “they have pierced my hands and feet” underscores the remarkable continuity between the Old Testament descriptions of suffering and the New Testament recordings of Jesus’s crucifixion. The fact that ancient sources and consistent exegesis support this reading offers comfort to those studying Scripture, affirming the reliability of the text and its prophetic voice. Conclusion The question of whether Psalm 22:16 reads “pierced” or “like a lion” has long attracted attention. Manuscript traditions, the LXX, certain Dead Sea Scroll fragments, and grammatical considerations strongly indicate that “they have pierced my hands and feet” is the most accurate rendering. This reading aligns with the broader context and provides a vivid precursor to the crucifixion narrative later described in the Gospels. In modern Bible translations, including the Berean Standard Bible, “pierced” is favored, reflecting a substantial and early textual witness. While the variant “like a lion” does appear in certain manuscripts, it is grammatically awkward and less likely to be the original text. The weight of historical and linguistic evidence points to “pierced,” highlighting this verse’s meaningful connection to the larger redemptive storyline of Scripture. |
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