Psalms 80:13

KJV

The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

KJV (with Strong's)

The boar {H2386} out of the wood {H3293} doth waste {H3765}{H8762)} it, and the wild beast {H2123} of the field {H7704} doth devour {H7462}{H8799)} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

The boar from the forest tears it apart; wild creatures from the fields feed on it.

Berean Standard Bible

The boar from the forest ravages it, and the creatures of the field feed upon it.

American Standard Version

The boar out of the wood doth ravage it, And the wild beasts of the field feed on it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 80:13 vividly portrays the desolation of Israel, personified as a once-flourishing vineyard, now laid waste by destructive forces. This verse is a poignant lament within a broader communal prayer for divine restoration, emphasizing the profound vulnerability and suffering of God's chosen people when His protective presence seems withdrawn, leaving them exposed to ruthless external aggressors symbolized by wild, untamed animals.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 80 is a communal lament, a heartfelt plea for God to "restore us" (repeated in [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - Plea for Restoration"), [Psalms 80:7](/psalms/80-7 "Psalm 80:7 - Prayer for God's Face to Shine"), and [Psalms 80:19](/psalms/80-19 "Psalm 80:19 - Final Restoration Plea")). The psalm opens with an invocation to the "Shepherd of Israel" ([Psalms 80:1](/psalms/80-1 "Psalm 80:1 - Invocation to the Shepherd of Israel")) and quickly introduces the central metaphor of Israel as a vine that God brought out of Egypt and planted ([Psalms 80:8](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8 - Israel as God's Vine")). This vine once flourished, covering mountains and cedars ([Psalms 80:9-11](/psalms/80-9 "Psalm 80:9-11 - The Flourishing Vine")). However, the psalmist laments that God has broken down its walls, allowing passersby to pluck its fruit ([Psalms 80:12](/psalms/80-12 "Psalm 80:12 - Broken Walls of the Vineyard")). Verse 13 then describes the ultimate consequence of this exposure: the complete devastation by wild animals, setting the stage for the desperate cry for God's renewed intervention and protection.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm is often attributed to Asaph, a prominent choirmaster, and is believed to have originated during a period of national distress, likely after the Assyrian invasion and exile of the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh are specifically mentioned in [Psalms 80:2](/psalms/80-2 "Psalm 80:2 - Tribes of the Northern Kingdom")). The imagery of a vineyard was deeply resonant in ancient Israel, an agrarian society where vineyards were valuable assets, carefully cultivated and protected by walls or hedges. The destruction of a vineyard by wild animals, particularly boars, was a common and devastating agricultural threat, symbolizing utter ruin and loss of livelihood. Furthermore, pigs were considered unclean animals in Israelite culture ([Leviticus 11:7](/leviticus/11-7 "Leviticus 11:7 - Unclean Animals")), so their destructive presence in the vineyard would have added a layer of defilement and insult to the physical devastation, underscoring the perceived contempt from the enemies.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 80:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Vulnerability and Desolation**, portraying Israel as utterly exposed and helpless against overwhelming external threats once divine protection is seemingly withdrawn. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Discipline**, as the suffering of the vineyard is implicitly linked to God's displeasure or perceived abandonment, a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, prompting the repeated plea for God to "turn us again" and "cause thy face to shine" ([Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - Plea for Restoration")). Finally, the "boar" and "wild beast" serve as potent **Symbols of Destructive Enemies**, representing the hostile nations—like the Assyrian Empire—or internal forces that plague God's people, leading to their spiritual and physical decline.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Boar (חֲזִיר, _chazir_):** This Hebrew term specifically refers to a wild pig or boar. Wild boars are notoriously destructive animals, known for their habit of rooting up fields and vineyards, causing extensive, indiscriminate, and often irreversible damage to crops. Their presence here symbolizes a brutal, savage, and perhaps uncivilized enemy that acts with ruthless efficiency, leaving nothing but ruin in its wake. Culturally, the pig's status as an unclean animal in Israelite law ([Leviticus 11:7](/leviticus/11-7 "Leviticus 11:7 - Unclean Animals")) adds a layer of defilement and contempt to the destruction, suggesting an enemy that not only destroys but also pollutes.
* **Wild beast of the field (זִיז שָׂדַי, _ziz saday_):** This phrase is a more general term for any destructive creature from the wilderness or open country. The use of a broader category alongside the specific "boar" intensifies the sense of threat, suggesting that the vineyard is not just under attack from one type of aggressor but from a multitude of destructive forces. It conveys a complete lack of protection, implying that the vineyard is open to any and all predatory animals, symbolizing a comprehensive and overwhelming devastation from various sources.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The boar out of the wood doth waste it":** This clause introduces the first and most specific agent of destruction. The "boar out of the wood" (or forest) emphasizes its wild, untamed nature, suggesting an enemy that emerges from a place of wilderness, uncontrolled and unconstrained. The verb "waste" (יְכַרְסְמֶנָּה, _y'khars'mennah_) implies a gnawing, tearing, or rooting up, vividly depicting the thorough and destructive manner in which the vineyard is being ruined. It speaks to a deliberate, sustained act of demolition.
* **"and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.":** This second clause broadens the scope of the attack. "The wild beast of the field" represents a more general, perhaps even more pervasive, threat. The verb "devour" (וְיִשְׁתֶּהָ, _v'yishtehah_) literally means to drink or consume, implying a complete consumption or absorption of the vineyard's vitality and fruit. This suggests not just damage, but a total consumption of its produce and very essence, leaving nothing behind. Together, the two clauses paint a picture of comprehensive and relentless destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 80:13 is rich in **Imagery** and **Symbolism**, central to its powerful lament. The entire psalm employs an extended **Metaphor** of Israel as a "vine" or "vineyard" ([Psalms 80:8](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8 - Israel as God's Vine")), which is then subjected to **Personification** as it suffers devastation. The "boar out of the wood" and the "wild beast of the field" are not literal animals attacking a literal vineyard, but potent **Symbols** for the hostile nations or internal forces that are destroying God's people. The choice of the boar, an unclean animal, adds a layer of **Irony** and **Defilement** to the destruction, implying that Israel's sacred identity is being desecrated. The vivid descriptions of "waste" and "devour" create a strong sense of **Pathos**, evoking pity and sorrow for the suffering nation, and serve as a stark **Contrast** to the earlier descriptions of the vine's flourishing prosperity ([Psalms 80:9-11](/psalms/80-9 "Psalm 80:9-11 - The Flourishing Vine")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 80:13 powerfully illustrates the theological principle that when God's protective hand is withdrawn, His people become vulnerable to destructive forces. This withdrawal is often a consequence of disobedience or spiritual drift, serving as a form of divine discipline aimed at bringing about repentance and restoration. The imagery of the vineyard, carefully planted and tended by God, being laid waste by wild animals, underscores the profound disappointment and judgment when the vineyard fails to produce the expected fruit. Yet, even in this state of desolation, the psalm maintains a posture of fervent prayer, appealing to God's covenant faithfulness and His power to restore, reminding believers that even in times of severe trial, the ultimate hope lies in God's sovereign intervention and the shining of His face upon His people.

* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - Degenerate Vine")
* [Hosea 10:1](/hosea/10-1 "Hosea 10:1 - Israel as a Degenerate Vine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:13 serves as a sobering reminder for believers today about the consequences of spiritual negligence and the critical importance of abiding in God's protective presence. Just as Israel's vineyard was exposed when its protective walls were broken, so too can individual believers or the church collectively become vulnerable to the destructive "boars" and "wild beasts" of the world—whether they be spiritual attacks, the eroding influences of secularism, moral decay, or internal divisions—when we drift from God's will or neglect our spiritual disciplines. This verse calls us to examine our own lives and communities: Are we maintaining the "hedge" of God's Word, prayer, and obedience? Are we producing the fruit of the Spirit, or have we become a desolate vineyard, open to the ravages of sin and the enemy? The lament of the psalmist, though born of ancient distress, resonates with a timeless truth: our spiritual vitality and protection are inextricably linked to our relationship with God. It urges us to heed the call to repentance and to fervently seek God's face, trusting that His restoration is always available to those who turn back to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "boars" or "wild beasts" might be threatening the spiritual vitality of my life or my community today?**
* **In what ways might I, or my church, have allowed the "walls" of spiritual protection to break down?**
* **How does this verse prompt me to re-evaluate my commitment to spiritual disciplines and abiding in Christ?**
* **What steps can I take to seek God's face and pray for restoration in areas of spiritual desolation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "boar" being an unclean animal in this context?**

Answer: The "boar" (חֲזִיר, _chazir_) being an unclean animal according to Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 11:7](/leviticus/11-7 "Leviticus 11:7 - Unclean Animals")) adds a profound layer of theological and cultural significance to its destructive role in Psalms 80:13. Beyond its physical capacity for ruin, the boar's presence in the "vineyard" (symbolizing Israel) implies not only physical devastation but also ritual defilement and desecration. It suggests that the enemies attacking Israel are not just physically harmful but also morally and spiritually corrupting, bringing impurity into a space consecrated by God. This choice of imagery underscores the depth of Israel's suffering, as they are not merely being attacked but are being subjected to a form of spiritual pollution by those who disregard God's laws and covenant. It amplifies the sense of insult and humiliation, making the lament even more poignant and desperate for divine intervention to cleanse and restore.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:13, with its lament over Israel as a devastated vineyard, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the true vine. While Israel, the Old Testament vineyard, repeatedly failed to bear good fruit and consequently suffered the ravages of "boars" and "wild beasts" (representing foreign oppressors and the consequences of sin), Jesus declares, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")). He embodies the perfect Israel, the faithful Son who always pleased the Father. The desolation described in Psalms 80:13 foreshadows the ultimate judgment that would fall upon unfaithful Israel, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem. However, in Christ, God establishes a new, indestructible vineyard—His Church—composed of those who abide in Him ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine")). Unlike the ancient vineyard whose walls were broken, believers in Christ are protected by His finished work on the cross and the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed with the Holy Spirit")). Though spiritual battles persist, the "boar" and "wild beast" of sin, death, and the devil have been decisively defeated by the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), who became the ultimate sacrifice. Through Christ, God's face truly shines upon His people, offering not judgment but eternal life and restoration ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")), ensuring that His new vineyard will never be utterly laid waste.

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

Jeremiah 4:7

The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

Jeremiah 5:6

Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.

2 Kings 24:1

¶ In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

2 Kings 24:20

For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:1

¶ In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

Jeremiah 39:3

And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, [even] Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

2 Chronicles 32:1

¶ After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.