Psalms 22:17

KJV

I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.

KJV (with Strong's)

I may tell {H5608} all my bones {H6106}: they look {H5027} and stare {H7200} upon me.

Complete Jewish Bible

I can count every one of my bones, while they gaze at me and gloat.

Berean Standard Bible

I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.

American Standard Version

I may count all my bones. They look and stare upon me;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 22:17 is a profoundly poignant verse depicting extreme physical and emotional suffering, portraying an individual so emaciated that their bones are visible and countable, while onlookers cruelly gaze upon their humiliation. Though initially a lament from King David, this verse, within the broader context of Psalm 22, is widely understood as a vivid messianic prophecy, foreshadowing the intense agony, public exposure, and mockery endured by Jesus Christ during His crucifixion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the first part of Psalm 22, a classic lament psalm that transitions dramatically from desperate cries of abandonment and intense suffering (verses 1-21) to expressions of praise and confidence in God's deliverance (verses 22-31). The psalm opens with the agonizing plea, "[My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - The Cry of Abandonment")," a cry famously echoed by Jesus on the cross, establishing a profound prophetic link. Immediately preceding verse 17, the psalmist describes being surrounded by hostile enemies—likened to "strong bulls of Bashan" and "ravening and a roaring lion"—who mock and revile him, even "[piercing his hands and his feet](/psalms/22-16 "Psalm 22:16 - Piercing of Hands and Feet")." Verse 17 intensifies this imagery by focusing on the psalmist's physical deterioration and the public spectacle of his agony, leading directly into the description of enemies "[parting his garments and casting lots for his vesture](/psalms/22-18 "Psalm 22:18 - Dividing Garments by Lot")."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David, the psalm reflects a common experience of severe distress, public shame, and persecution faced by individuals in ancient Israel. The imagery of being surrounded by enemies and publicly humiliated was a common feature of ancient warfare and social ostracism. Emaciation due to illness, starvation, or prolonged suffering was a visible sign of distress, often interpreted as a sign of divine disfavor or extreme misfortune. The act of "staring" was not merely observation but a deliberate, often malicious act of shaming and dehumanization, a public display of contempt for the one suffering. Such public exposure and mockery were potent forms of psychological torture, designed to strip the individual of all dignity and hope.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 22:17 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Profound Suffering**, depicting an individual pushed to the brink of physical and emotional endurance, where the very structure of their body is exposed. Secondly, it underscores **Public Humiliation and Spectacle**, highlighting the cruel, unfeeling gaze of onlookers who derive satisfaction or morbid curiosity from another's pain, transforming suffering into a public performance. This theme resonates strongly with the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, where "[the people stood beholding](/luke/23-35 "Luke 23:35 - The People Watching Jesus")." Most significantly, the verse serves as a powerful element within the theme of **Messianic Prophecy**. The detailed and specific nature of the suffering described in Psalm 22, including the physical state in verse 17, the "[piercing of hands and feet](/psalms/22-16 "Psalm 22:16 - Piercing of Hands and Feet")" in verse 16, and the "[dividing of garments](/john/19-23 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Dividing Jesus' Garments")" in verse 18, finds remarkable and precise fulfillment in the passion of Jesus Christ, solidifying the psalm's prophetic significance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tell (Hebrew, _sapar'_):** This verb, סָפַר (_sapar_), means "to count," "to number," or "to recount." In this context, it vividly conveys the extreme emaciation of the psalmist, suggesting that his body has wasted away to such an extent that his bones are not merely visible but are so prominent and distinct that they could literally be counted. This implies a skeletal frame stripped bare of flesh, a stark image of severe physical deterioration, potentially indicating dislocated joints or extreme thinness due to prolonged agony or starvation.
* **Look (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** The Hebrew verb רָאָה (_ra'ah_) is a common word for "to see" or "to look." Here, it describes the initial act of observation by the enemies. It sets the stage for the more intense "stare," indicating that the onlookers are not merely glancing but are actively directing their gaze toward the suffering individual. This implies a deliberate and focused attention, devoid of sympathy.
* **Stare (Hebrew, _shazar'_):** The verb שָׁזַר (_shazar_) is less common and often implies a fixed, intense, or even malicious gaze. It suggests a prolonged, unfeeling, and intrusive observation, where the onlookers are not simply seeing but are fixating on the suffering individual, perhaps with curiosity, contempt, or even perverse satisfaction. This intensifies the sense of public humiliation and the psalmist's vulnerability, as he is subjected to an unblinking, dehumanizing scrutiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I may tell all my bones":** This clause describes the psalmist's extreme physical state. The verb "tell" (count) emphasizes that the bones are so prominent due to severe emaciation, perhaps even dislocation or distortion, that each one is discernibly visible and countable. This paints a picture of a body ravaged by suffering, reduced to a skeletal frame, stripped of its protective flesh and dignity. It conveys intense physical pain, weakness, and vulnerability.
* **"they look [and] stare upon me":** This clause shifts focus to the external tormentors and their cruel actions. The combination of "look" and "stare" (or "gaze" and "gloat" in some interpretations) describes the fixed, intense, and unsympathetic observation of the enemies. They are not merely witnessing the suffering but are actively engaging in a dehumanizing spectacle, deriving satisfaction or indifference from the psalmist's agony. This highlights the public humiliation and the profound isolation of the sufferer, who is exposed to the unfeeling gaze of those who mock rather than empathize.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 22:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of suffering and humiliation. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "I may tell all my bones," which, while indicating extreme emaciation, is likely an exaggeration to emphasize the severity of the psalmist's physical deterioration and vulnerability. This vivid **Imagery** of a skeletal figure exposed to public view creates a visceral sense of agony and degradation, allowing the reader to almost feel the raw, exposed state of the sufferer. The dual verbs "look [and] stare" constitute a form of **Intensification** or **Parallelism**, where the second verb amplifies the meaning of the first, emphasizing the prolonged, fixed, and possibly malicious nature of the onlookers' gaze. This deliberate, unfeeling observation transforms the suffering into a public **Spectacle**, stripping the individual of dignity and privacy. Ultimately, the entire verse, within the broader context of Psalm 22, functions as **Prophecy** and **Typology**, foreshadowing the physical and emotional torment of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, on the cross, where He was similarly exposed, emaciated, and subjected to the cruel gaze of His tormentors.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 22:17 provides a stark theological insight into the nature of suffering, particularly as it relates to divine purpose and redemption. It reveals a God who does not shield His chosen ones from the depths of human agony, but rather allows them to experience profound physical and emotional distress, even public humiliation. This verse, therefore, is not merely a description of suffering but a profound testament to the extent of the suffering that would be endured by the Messiah. It underscores the biblical theme that through suffering, often in its most extreme and public forms, God's redemptive plan is unfolded and His glory ultimately revealed. The vulnerability and exposure described here signify a complete emptying of self, a state necessary for the ultimate act of self-sacrifice that brings about salvation.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")
* [Lamentations 1:12](/lamentations/1-12 "Lamentations 1:12 - Is it Nothing to You?")
* [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Enduring the Cross for Joy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 22:17 invites believers into a deeper contemplation of the cost of our salvation and the empathetic nature of our Savior. When we consider the raw, exposed agony described—a body so wasted that bones are visible, subjected to the unfeeling gaze of onlookers—we are confronted with the full reality of Christ's suffering on the cross. This verse reminds us that Jesus did not merely die a quick death; He endured prolonged physical torment, public humiliation, and profound emotional and spiritual abandonment. This understanding should cultivate in us a profound gratitude for His sacrifice, moving us beyond abstract theological concepts to a visceral appreciation of His love. Furthermore, it offers immense comfort to those who feel exposed, vulnerable, or subjected to the cruel judgment of others. Our Lord knows what it is to be stripped bare, both physically and emotionally, and to be stared at in agony. He is therefore uniquely qualified to empathize with our deepest pains and humiliations, offering a compassionate presence in our own times of trial.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "telling all my bones" deepen your understanding of the physical suffering Jesus endured on the cross?**
* **In what ways does the "look [and] stare upon me" aspect of this verse resonate with experiences of public humiliation or vulnerability in your own life or in the world today?**
* **How does knowing that Christ fully experienced such profound suffering impact your trust in Him during your own times of distress and exposure?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "I may tell all my bones"?**

Answer: This phrase vividly describes a state of extreme physical emaciation or perhaps even skeletal distortion, where the body has wasted away to such an extent that the bones are not merely visible but are so prominent and distinct that they could literally be counted. It signifies intense physical suffering, weakness, and vulnerability, portraying a body stripped bare of its protective flesh and dignity. Theologically, in its messianic fulfillment, it points to the profound physical agony endured by Jesus on the cross, where His body was ravaged by crucifixion.

**How does this verse relate to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?**

Answer: Psalms 22:17 is widely recognized as a powerful messianic prophecy that finds its fulfillment in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The description of extreme physical deterioration ("I may tell all my bones") aligns with the prolonged agony and physical toll of crucifixion, which would have left Jesus' body severely weakened and exposed. The phrase "they look [and] stare upon me" directly foreshadows the public humiliation and mockery Jesus endured from the crowds, Roman soldiers, and religious leaders who "[stood beholding](/luke/23-35 "Luke 23:35 - The People Watching Jesus")" Him on the cross. This verse, along with others in [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Prophetic Lament"), paints a detailed picture of the Messiah's suffering that was precisely fulfilled centuries later.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 22:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The psalmist's agonizing cry, "I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me," becomes the prophetic blueprint for the Messiah's passion. On Golgotha, Jesus' body, ravaged by scourging and the prolonged agony of crucifixion, would indeed have been reduced to a skeletal outline, every bone discernibly prominent, fulfilling the chilling imagery of the psalmist. The Roman method of execution was designed not only to inflict maximum physical pain but also to ensure public humiliation, and just as the psalmist described, "[the people stood beholding](/luke/23-35 "Luke 23:35 - The People Watching Jesus")" Jesus, mocking and reviling Him as He hung exposed. This verse underscores the reality that Christ truly "[humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")." He endured this ultimate public spectacle of suffering, not for His own sin, but as the "[Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")" (John 1:29). His complete vulnerability and exposure, foretold in this psalm, were essential for Him to fully bear the curse and shame of humanity's sin, transforming the scene of ultimate degradation into the pinnacle of divine love and the triumph of redemption, as He cried, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Final Cry")"

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 23:35

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided [him], saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Luke 23:27

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

Isaiah 52:14

As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Matthew 27:39

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Matthew 27:41

Likewise also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said,

Job 33:21

His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out.

Psalms 102:3

For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.