What Does Psalm 22:12 Mean in the King James?
Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Two Hebrew roots for “surround” make this more than repetition: the speaker is enclosed in a ring of threat.
THE MEANING
The verse gives the experience of being ringed by powerful forces two motions: circling, then enclosure. It does not soften their strength; it lets the threat remain fully visible. The pressure is named without being made into the whole story.
THE ROOT
כִּתְּרוּנִי
kitteruni
GROWS FROM
כתר
To encircle or surround.
The verb translated “beset me round” shares its root with the word for a crown. That does not turn the threat into honor; it gives the enclosure a ring-like shape, a circle closing around the speaker.
ALSO GROWS
keter: A crown or circlet worn around the head.
כֶּתֶר
The noun preserves the root’s circular image, making the enclosure in the verse tangible.
katar: To surround or encircle.
כָּתַר
This verbal form carries the action of the verse: the threat closes around the speaker.
סְבָבוּנִי
səḇāḇūnī
GROWS FROM
סבב
To turn around, circle, or surround.
“compassed me” in this verse is səḇāḇūnī. The first clause uses the root of circling; the second shifts to כתר, another root for enclosure. English repeats the idea of being surrounded, while Hebrew gives the image two distinct motions.
ALSO GROWS
sāvîv: Around or on every side.
סָבִיב
This form makes the spatial reach of the bulls’ circling explicit.
sōvēv: One who turns or moves around.
סוֹבֵב
The active motion in this form echoes the circling force of the bulls.
THE PATTERN
Threat is often pictured as enclosure, making pressure visible as a ring around a person or city.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,THE THREAD
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.Psalm 118:11 uses the root סבב (sabab, “surround”) twice, repeating the image of being ringed in. Its answer begins “in the name of the LORD”, in the LORD’s nature, so the enclosure is real, yet it is not the only force shaping the scene.
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