The Meaning of Lapped Like Dogs: A Bible Study

The Meaning of Lapped like dogs

The phrase 'lapped like dogs' in Psalm 22:16 evokes a visceral image of violent encirclement, capturing both physical and spiritual abandonment.

The Hebrew verb *arag*, translated as 'lapped,' conveys the action of surrounding or circling, as dogs might swarm a victim. In this verse, it describes enemies gathering to attack the psalmist, amplifying the sense of helplessness and isolation. This metaphor underscores the intensity of suffering, where the afflicted feels utterly exposed to cruelty and scorn.

Theologically, this imagery resonates with broader biblical themes of human vulnerability and divine presence in suffering. It invites reflection on how God meets us in moments of despair, as seen in later Christian interpretations linking this verse to Jesus’ crucifixion.

Lapped like Dogs in Psalm 22:16

Psalm 22:16, a lament psalm expressing deep anguish, uses the metaphor of being 'lapped like dogs' to depict violent encirclement by enemies.

The Hebrew verb *arag*, translated as 'lapped,' evokes the image of dogs swarming a victim, emphasizing both physical assault and spiritual abandonment. In this verse, the psalmist feels utterly surrounded by hostility, a theme that resonates with human vulnerability and divine distance. This imagery deepens the psalm’s cry for salvation amid suffering.

In the New Testament, John 19:29-30 explicitly connects this metaphor to Jesus’ crucifixion, where soldiers cast lots for His garments, fulfilling Psalm 22:18. This linkage underscores Jesus’ identification with the psalmist’s anguish, framing His death as the ultimate fulfillment of Israel’s prophetic voice. The metaphor thus bridges ancient lament and Christian theology, highlighting God’s presence even in desolation.

Dogs as Metaphors in Scripture

The metaphor of 'dogs' in Scripture carries varying theological and emotional tones depending on context.

In Philippians 3:2, Paul warns against false teachers as 'dogs,' a starkly negative portrayal emphasizing spiritual danger, while Revelation 22:15 labels the unworthy as 'dogs,' reinforcing exclusion from God’s kingdom. These verses frame 'dogs' as symbols of moral or doctrinal failure.

By contrast, Psalm 22:16’s 'lapped like dogs' focuses on physical violence and abandonment rather than moral judgment. This metaphor underscores human vulnerability and the intensity of collective hostility, diverging from the ethical censure in Philippians and Revelation to highlight the rawness of suffering.

Putting 'Lapped like dogs' into Practice

Believers facing suffering can draw strength from the psalmist’s trust in God’s ultimate faithfulness, even amid physical and spiritual abandonment.

The psalmist’s cry in Psalm 22 - ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ - echoes Jesus’ words on the cross in Matthew 27:46, where He quotes the same lament. Both moments reveal a deep reliance on God’s covenantal promises amid despair. Jesus’ suffering, surrounded by mockery and violence (Matthew 27:39-44), models how to entrust one’s soul to God even when human companionship fails. By meditating on these parallels, believers learn to respond to persecution with hope, recognizing that their suffering is not isolated but woven into God’s redemptive purposes. This perspective invites a posture of prayerful endurance, trusting that God can transform anguish into testimony, as He raised Jesus from death.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of 'lapped like dogs,' explore the broader context of suffering and divine presence in Scripture.

Begin with the Psalms of lament, such as Psalm 22 itself, which models raw anguish and hope. For Messianic connections, study how Jesus’ crucifixion fulfills Psalm 22:16-18 (John 19:29-30; Matthew 27:46), and compare cross-cultural metaphors for suffering in literature or other religious traditions to appreciate the universality of this imagery.