Psalms 22:18

KJV

They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

KJV (with Strong's)

They part {H2505} my garments {H899} among them, and cast {H5307} lots {H1486} upon my vesture {H3830}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They divide my garments among themselves; for my clothing they throw dice.

Berean Standard Bible

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

American Standard Version

They part my garments among them, And upon my vesture do they cast lots.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse from Psalm 22 vividly describes the ultimate humiliation and deprivation of a suffering individual, whose very clothing is divided and gambled over by hostile onlookers. It encapsulates the profound indignity and complete powerlessness experienced by the psalmist, serving as a poignant cry from the depths of abandonment and a remarkable prophetic utterance foreshadowing a pivotal event in redemptive history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 22:18 is situated within a psalm that transitions dramatically from intense lament to triumphant praise. The psalm opens with the agonizing cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1), setting a tone of profound suffering and isolation. The verses immediately preceding verse 18 describe the psalmist's enemies as a "company of evildoers" (Psalm 22:16) who have "pierced my hands and my feet," imagery that further intensifies the sense of physical and emotional torment. This particular verse, detailing the division of garments, marks a specific act of public degradation, emphasizing the complete vulnerability and objectification of the sufferer before a callous crowd. The subsequent verses then begin to shift, moving towards a declaration of trust in God's deliverance and a vision of universal praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, clothing was more than mere covering; it represented a person's identity, status, and dignity. To be stripped of one's garments was an act of extreme public humiliation and shame, often inflicted upon prisoners of war, criminals, or those being executed. It signified the complete dehumanization and subjugation of the individual. The act of "casting lots" was a common practice for making decisions or distributing goods when consensus was not possible or when a random, seemingly divinely guided, outcome was desired. This method, applied to personal effects, underscores the callous indifference of the perpetrators, treating the sufferer's last possessions as mere spoils of war or a game of chance, rather than respecting any vestige of personal dignity.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 22:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 22 and the broader Psalter. Foremost is the theme of **Profound Suffering and Humiliation**, where the psalmist's experience is depicted in excruciating detail, highlighting the depths of human anguish and abandonment. This verse particularly emphasizes the public degradation of the sufferer, stripped of all personal dignity. Another crucial theme is **Divine Foresight and Prophecy**, as this specific detail of garment division and lot-casting stands out as a remarkably precise foretelling of future events, underscoring God's meticulous plan and foreknowledge, especially concerning the Messiah. Furthermore, it touches upon the theme of **Loss and Deprivation**, symbolizing the complete stripping away of all earthly possessions and the ultimate vulnerability of the righteous sufferer, mirroring the profound loss experienced by the [suffering servant in Isaiah](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Garments (Hebrew, בְּגָדִים, _bəḡāḏîm'_):** This term generally refers to outer clothing, such as cloaks or mantles. These were often valuable possessions, serving as bedding at night (cf. [Exodus 22:26-27](/exodus/22-26 "Exodus 22:26-27 - Pledging Garments")) or as a means of identification. The act of "parting" or dividing these garments among multiple individuals suggests a systematic distribution of spoils, treating the sufferer's possessions as plunder.
* **Vesture (Hebrew, לְבוּשׁ, _ləḇûš'_):** This word often denotes a finer, inner garment, such as a tunic or undergarment. In some contexts, it can refer to a more specific or valuable piece of clothing. The distinction between "garments" and "vesture" implies that both the outer and inner layers of clothing were taken, representing a complete stripping away of all personal belongings. The fact that lots were cast for this specific item suggests it may have been of particular value or unique construction, making it unsuitable for division.
* **Cast lots (Hebrew, יַפִּילוּ גוֹרָל, _yapîlū gôrāl'_):** This phrase describes the act of using lots (such as stones or marked pieces of wood) to determine an outcome by chance. It was a common practice for dividing land (cf. [Numbers 26:55](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55 - Division of Land by Lot")), making decisions, or distributing property. In this context, it highlights the cold, impersonal, and indifferent manner in which the perpetrators treated the sufferer's last possession, reducing a deeply personal act of degradation to a mere game of chance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They part my garments among them":** This clause describes the initial act of the hostile group. The "garments" (outer clothing) are divided into portions and distributed among the individuals present. This action signifies a public act of humiliation and the complete dispossession of the sufferer, who is left exposed and vulnerable. It is a symbolic act of power and control exerted by the tormentors over their victim.
* **"and cast lots upon my vesture":** Following the division of the outer garments, the perpetrators turn their attention to the "vesture" (inner garment or tunic). Instead of dividing this item, they "cast lots" for it. This suggests that the vesture was either indivisible (perhaps a seamless tunic, as later described in the New Testament) or of singular value, making a random, winner-takes-all distribution the preferred method. This detail further underscores the callousness and indifference of the crowd, who are more concerned with personal gain from the sufferer's meager possessions than with the profound suffering unfolding before them.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 22:18 powerfully employs several literary devices. Most prominently, it functions as a profound **Prophecy** or **Foreshadowing**, detailing events that would precisely unfold centuries later during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The specificity of the actions—dividing garments and casting lots for a vesture—lends an uncanny predictive quality to the verse. **Imagery** is also vividly used, painting a stark picture of public humiliation and utter destitution. The reader can visualize the scene of a helpless individual being stripped bare, their personal effects becoming objects of callous gambling. This imagery evokes strong feelings of empathy and revulsion. Furthermore, the garments themselves serve as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the clothing represents the entire person's dignity, status, and earthly possessions. The stripping of the garments is not merely a physical act but a symbolic assault on the sufferer's very identity and humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly connects to the theological theme of divine sovereignty and the suffering of the righteous. It illustrates that even in the deepest moments of human degradation and injustice, God's foreknowledge and overarching plan are at work. The psalmist's suffering, though real and agonizing, is not random but part of a divinely orchestrated narrative that ultimately points to a greater purpose. This suffering, culminating in complete dispossession and public shame, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice where the innocent one bears the sin of many, leading to a cosmic victory. It highlights how God can use even the most heinous acts of human cruelty to fulfill His redemptive purposes, turning profound humiliation into a pathway for ultimate glory.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")
* [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - Pierced One")
* [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Son of Man Must Suffer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 22:18 invites us to contemplate the profound cost of redemption and the depth of Christ's suffering on our behalf. It challenges us to look beyond the superficiality of our own comforts and consider the ultimate humiliation endured by the innocent for the sake of the guilty. When we face moments of injustice, public shame, or the loss of what we hold dear, this verse reminds us that our Savior experienced the ultimate stripping away of dignity and possessions. His willingness to endure such degradation provides us not only with a powerful example of endurance but also with the assurance that He understands our pain intimately. It strengthens our faith in the meticulous nature of God's Word, demonstrating that every detail, even seemingly minor ones like the division of garments, is part of His grand, unfolding plan. We are called to respond with gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to live lives that honor the One who was stripped bare for our salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specific detail of "parting garments and casting lots" deepen your understanding of the humiliation Jesus endured?**
* **In what ways does the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy strengthen your faith in the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture?**
* **How might remembering Christ's ultimate loss of dignity empower you to endure personal setbacks or moments of shame?**

### FAQ
**Why is this verse so significant for Christians?**

Answer: This verse is profoundly significant for Christians because it is one of the most direct and explicit Old Testament prophecies concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Its fulfillment is meticulously recorded in the New Testament Gospels, particularly in [John 19:23-24](/john/19-23 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Divide Jesus' Garments"), which explicitly states that the soldiers divided Jesus' outer garments and cast lots for His seamless tunic, precisely as foretold in this psalm. This precise fulfillment serves as powerful evidence for the divine inspiration of Scripture, the foreknowledge of God, and the identity of Jesus as the promised Messiah. It underscores that Jesus' suffering was not a random event but a preordained act of redemption, meticulously planned by God centuries in advance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 22:18 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On Calvary, the Roman soldiers, with chilling indifference, literally "parted" Jesus' outer "garments" among themselves, and then, finding His inner "vesture" (a seamless tunic) too valuable to tear, they "cast lots" for it, just as this psalm prophesied. This moment, recorded in [John 19:23-24](/john/19-23 "John 19:23-24 - Soldiers Divide Jesus' Garments") and corroborated by [Matthew 27:35](/matthew/27-35 "Matthew 27:35 - Soldiers Cast Lots"), [Mark 15:24](/mark/15-24 "Mark 15:24 - Soldiers Divide Garments"), and [Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Soldiers Divide Garments"), is a stark testament to the divine foresight embedded within the Old Testament. Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was stripped of every earthly possession and dignity, enduring the ultimate public humiliation. This act was not merely a cruel detail but a symbolic representation of His complete self-emptying (cf. [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ Emptied Himself")) for humanity's sake. By being stripped bare, He took upon Himself the shame and nakedness of our sin, allowing us to be clothed in His righteousness (cf. [Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation")). His complete dispossession on the cross paved the way for our eternal inheritance, demonstrating that through His profound suffering and humiliation, true spiritual riches were secured for all who believe.

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

Matthew 27:35

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Luke 23:34

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Mark 15:24

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

John 19:23

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also [his] coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

John 19:24

They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.