Psalms 22:13
What does Psalms 22:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 22:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 22:13 means
Continuing the animalistic imagery, the psalmist further portrays his enemies as savage and predatory, likening them to a "ravening and a roaring lion." Their wide-open mouths symbolize their intent to devour him, while the roaring suggests their intimidating power and desire to consume him fully. This image compounds the sense of terror and vulnerability, emphasizing the imminent and ferocious threat he faces.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They gape upon me with their mouth, Asa ravening and a roaring lion.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They gape upon me with their mouth, Asa ravening and a roaring lion.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I saw their mouths wide open, like lions crying after food.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They have opened against me their mouth, A lion tearing and roaring.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They gape upon me with their mouth, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.
Context
Building upon the imagery of powerful "bulls" in verse 12, this verse intensifies the portrayal of the psalmist's enemies by adding the fearsome image of a "roaring lion." This progression from large beasts to a predatory hunter heightens the sense of mortal danger and imminent destruction, further illustrating the extreme nature of the threat the psalmist faces.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- Lamentations 2:16
All thine enemies have opened their mouth wide against thee; They hiss and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up; Certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.
- Psalms 35:21
Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me; They said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
- Psalms 7:2
Lest they tear my soul like a lion, Rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
- Psalms 22:7
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
- Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
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