King James Version
What Does Psalms 41:9 Mean?
“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. mine: Heb. the man of my peace lifted: Heb. magnified”
Context
7
All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. my: Heb. evil to me
8
An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. An: Heb. A thing of Belial
9
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. mine: Heb. the man of my peace lifted: Heb. magnified
10
But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
11
By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.
Topics in This Verse
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(9) **Hath lifted up his heel.**—See margin. The meaning is, possibly, *kicked violently at me. *But Böttcher’s conjecture is valuable, “has magnified his fraud against me,” which is supported by the LXX. and Vulg., “has magnified his supplanting of me.” (For the quotation of this verse in John 13:18, see *New Testament Commentary.*) The rights of Oriental hospitality must be remembered, to bring out all the blackness of the treachery here described. The expressive Hebrew idiom, “man of my peace,” is retained in the margin. Possibly (see Note, Obadiah 1:7) the second clause recalls another idiom, “man of my bread.”
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 41:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Psalms 41:9
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge