Psalms 22:17 - I can count all of my bones. They look and stare at me.
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What does "Psalms 22:17" mean?
Psalm 22 is a lament, a cry of anguish, and is often interpreted as a prophecy of the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Verse 17, "I can count all my bones; they look and stare at me," is part of that expression of extreme suffering and humiliation. Here's a breakdown of what it likely means:
"I can count all my bones..." This suggests extreme emaciation and weight loss. The person is so thin that the bones are visible and prominent. This could be due to starvation, illness, or the trauma of the situation they are enduring. In the context of crucifixion, the strain and unnatural posture could also cause the bones to stand out.
"...they look and stare at me." This is more figurative and open to interpretation:
Sense of Objectification/Exposure: Being able to count the bones suggests being exposed and vulnerable. The image of the bones "looking and staring" could convey a feeling of being scrutinized, judged, and helpless. The person is reduced to a mere skeleton, a shell of their former self, open to the gaze of others.
Alienation from One's Own Body: The person feels detached from their own physical form. The bones, usually hidden and internal, are now visible and seem to have a life of their own, "staring" back at the sufferer. This could reflect a sense of losing control over one's body and its functions.
A Foreboding of Death: Seeing one's bones so clearly can be a stark reminder of mortality. It's a glimpse into the inevitable end, a confronting image of what remains after life has departed.
Context and Interpretation:
Psalm 22 and Crucifixion: Many Christians see Psalm 22 as a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus' crucifixion. Several phrases from the psalm, including the questioning of being forsaken, are echoed in the Gospels as Jesus' last words. The physical torment of crucifixion, along with the public humiliation, would align with the imagery of being able to count the bones and being stared at.
General Suffering: Regardless of a specific prophetic interpretation, the verse conveys intense physical and emotional suffering. It speaks to the experience of feeling vulnerable, exposed, and overwhelmed by pain.
In summary, the verse is a powerful depiction of extreme suffering, conveying emaciation, vulnerability, a sense of being objectified, and a confrontation with mortality. Whether interpreted as a prophecy of Christ's crucifixion or as a general expression of human suffering, it remains a poignant and disturbing image.
Psalms 22:17 - I can count all of my bones. They look and stare at me.
What does "Psalms 22:17" mean?
Psalm 22 is a lament, a cry of anguish, and is often interpreted as a prophecy of the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Verse 17, "I can count all my bones; they look and stare at me," is part of that expression of extreme suffering and humiliation. Here's a breakdown of what it likely means:
"I can count all my bones..." This suggests extreme emaciation and weight loss. The person is so thin that the bones are visible and prominent. This could be due to starvation, illness, or the trauma of the situation they are enduring. In the context of crucifixion, the strain and unnatural posture could also cause the bones to stand out.
"...they look and stare at me." This is more figurative and open to interpretation:
Sense of Objectification/Exposure: Being able to count the bones suggests being exposed and vulnerable. The image of the bones "looking and staring" could convey a feeling of being scrutinized, judged, and helpless. The person is reduced to a mere skeleton, a shell of their former self, open to the gaze of others.
Alienation from One's Own Body: The person feels detached from their own physical form. The bones, usually hidden and internal, are now visible and seem to have a life of their own, "staring" back at the sufferer. This could reflect a sense of losing control over one's body and its functions.
A Foreboding of Death: Seeing one's bones so clearly can be a stark reminder of mortality. It's a glimpse into the inevitable end, a confronting image of what remains after life has departed.
Context and Interpretation:
Psalm 22 and Crucifixion: Many Christians see Psalm 22 as a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus' crucifixion. Several phrases from the psalm, including the questioning of being forsaken, are echoed in the Gospels as Jesus' last words. The physical torment of crucifixion, along with the public humiliation, would align with the imagery of being able to count the bones and being stared at.
General Suffering: Regardless of a specific prophetic interpretation, the verse conveys intense physical and emotional suffering. It speaks to the experience of feeling vulnerable, exposed, and overwhelmed by pain.
In summary, the verse is a powerful depiction of extreme suffering, conveying emaciation, vulnerability, a sense of being objectified, and a confrontation with mortality. Whether interpreted as a prophecy of Christ's crucifixion or as a general expression of human suffering, it remains a poignant and disturbing image.