Psalms 22:13 Meaning and Explanation
“They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Enemies gape like a roaring, hungry lion poised to consume the psalmist.
The Context of Psalms 22:13
Enemies are depicted as a ravenous lion about to strike.
What Does Psalms 22:13 Mean?
The metaphor shifts to predator and prey. A hungry lion with gaping mouth, roaring—about to attack and devour. The enemies are no longer described as bulls standing near but as a single ravenous beast ready to strike. The image conveys both the ferocity and hunger of the threat: enemies who want not merely to harm but to destroy completely.
The progression—bulls, lion—moves from siege to imminent death. The psalmist is surrounded, and now the moment of attack feels upon them. Yet the psalm continues: the psalmist is not yet consumed. The image expresses the intensity of danger and the terror of its imminence, but also the reality that the attack has not yet ended the prayer.
Psalms 22:13 in the Original Language
ari (אֲרִי), 'lion' — the apex predator of the ancient Levant; symbol of raw power, hunger, and death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 22:13
What does Psalms 22:13 mean?
Enemies gape like a roaring, hungry lion poised to consume the psalmist.
What is the context of Psalms 22:13?
Enemies are depicted as a ravenous lion about to strike.