Ps. 22:16: Ancient Support for “Pierced”
In this post, I will provide some of the oldest, ancient evidence that Psalm 22:16 (17 in some versions), originally read “they have pierced my hands and feet,” in contrast to the reading found in some later Hebrew Masoretic manuscripts, “like a lion my hands and feet.” I begin with the oldest extant Hebrew copy of Psalm 22:16[17], dated between 50-100 AD.
16 For dogs have surrounded me.
A company of evildoers have enclosed me.
They have pierced[1] my hands and feet.
[1] The MT says “like a lion” rather than “they have pierced.” There is a one letter difference between the two readings. This scroll reads “they have pierced.“ Nahal Hever Psalms
For many dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked doers has beset me round: they pierced my hands and my feet.
ὅτι ἐκύκλωσάν με κύνες πολλοί, συναγωγὴ πονηρευομένων περιέσχον με, ὤρυξαν χεῖράς μου καὶ πόδας. Psalm 21:17 LXX English translation by L. Brenton modified by ELPENOR
See also Brenton Septuagint Translation.
17- For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet.
Quoniam circumdederunt me canes multi; concilium malignantium obsedit me. Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos, [Psalms 21:17] Douay Rheims – Latin Vulgate
See also Douay-Rheims Bible.
16 Because dogs surround me and the assembly of the evil have surrounded me; they have pierced my hands and my feet! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
16 For the vicious have surrounded me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me; they have pierced my hands and my feet. George Lamsa Bible
Further Reading
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