Psalms 80:13 Meaning and Explanation
“The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Enemies and destructive forces ravage Israel without resistance.
The Context of Psalms 80:13
The mechanisms of Israel's destruction under enemy attack.
What Does Psalms 80:13 Mean?
The boar and wild beasts are metaphors for enemies—particularly foreign powers or invaders. Unlike previous enemies, these are not armies that can be negotiated with but wild, destructive forces. Their actions—'waste' and 'devour'—convey total destruction, not conquest for tribute or rule.
Without the protection of hedges (verse 12), the vine is helpless before these predators. The sequence of breached defenses (verse 12) followed by predation (verse 13) shows how vulnerability leads swiftly to devastation. The psalmist implies that only God's hedges could have prevented this.
Psalms 80:13 in the Original Language
Boar (חֲזִיר, chazir) — wild swine, powerful destructive force, used metaphorically for enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 80:13
What does Psalms 80:13 mean?
Enemies and destructive forces ravage Israel without resistance.
What is the context of Psalms 80:13?
The mechanisms of Israel's destruction under enemy attack.