The Psalm 22:16 Controversy: New Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls

Title

The Psalm 22:16 Controversy: New Evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2005

Authors

Hopkin, Shon D. (Primary)

Pagination

161-172

Volume

44

Issue

3

Terms of use

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Bibliographic Citation

Abstract

Few verses in the Bible have produced as much debate and commentary as Psalm 22:16: “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” The discussions center on the last character (reading right to left) of the Hebrew וראכ (“pierced/dug”), assumed to be the word from which the Septuagint Greek ὢρυξαν (“they have pierced”) was translated—assumed because the original Hebrew texts from which the Septuagint was translated are no longer extant. If the last character of the Hebrew word was a waw ()ו, as the Greek seems to indicate, then the translation “pierced” is tenable. But a later Hebrew text called the Masoretic text has a yod (י) instead of a waw (ו), making the word יראכ, which translated into English reads “like a lion my hands and my feet.” Thus, two divergent possibilities have existed side by side for centuries, causing much speculation and debate. The controversy has often been heated, with large variations in modern translations into English, as evidenced by a brief survey of some important Bible translations.

Textual Criticism
Dead Sea Scrolls
Prophecy
Crucifixion
Psalms (Book)
Septuagint
Bible Translation
Masoretic Text

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