Psalm 41:9
New International Version
Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

New Living Translation
Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

English Standard Version
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

Berean Standard Bible
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

King James Bible
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

New King James Version
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

New American Standard Bible
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

NASB 1995
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

NASB 1977
Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Legacy Standard Bible
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Amplified Bible
Even my own close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me [betraying me].

Christian Standard Bible
Even my friend in whom I trusted, one who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even my friend in whom I trusted, one who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me.

American Standard Version
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Who did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me.

Contemporary English Version
My most trusted friend has turned against me, though he ate at my table.

English Revised Version
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even my closest friend whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

Good News Translation
Even my best friend, the one I trusted most, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

International Standard Version
As for my best friend, the one in whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, even he has insulted me!

Majority Standard Bible
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

NET Bible
Even my close friend whom I trusted, he who shared meals with me, has turned against me.

New Heart English Bible
Even my own close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

World English Bible
Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Even my ally, in whom I trusted, "" One eating my bread, "" Made the heel great against me,

Young's Literal Translation
Even mine ally, in whom I trusted, One eating my bread, made great the heel against me,

Smith's Literal Translation
Also the man of my peace whom I trusted in him, eating my bread, magnified the heel against me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For even the man of peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, hath greatly supplanted me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For even the man of my peace, in whom I hoped, who ate my bread, has greatly supplanted me.

New American Bible
Even my trusted friend, who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me.

New Revised Standard Version
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Yea, even the man who visits me, in whom I trust, who eats my bread and whom I trust, betrays me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Even a man invoking my peace, in whom I trusted, ate my bread, for I trusted in him; he was very treacherous against me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, Hath lifted up his heel against me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, lifted up his heel against me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Blessed is He who Cares for the Poor
8“A vile disease has been poured into him; he will never get up from where he lies!” 9Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. 10But You, O LORD, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them.…

Cross References
John 13:18
I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:10-11
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Luke 22:3-6
Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...

John 18:2-5
Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. / So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons. / Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” ...

Matthew 26:47-50
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...

Mark 14:43-45
While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Acts 1:16-20
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. / He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” / (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. ...

Zechariah 11:12-13
Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

2 Samuel 15:12
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

2 Samuel 15:31
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

2 Samuel 16:23
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

Micah 7:5-6
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. / For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

Job 19:19
All my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me.


Treasury of Scripture

Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Yea

Psalm 55:12-14,20-22
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: …

2 Samuel 15:12
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

Job 19:19
All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

mine own familiar friend [heb.

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Obadiah 1:7
All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.

John 13:18,26,27
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me…

lifted up [heb.

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Ally Ate Bosom Bread Close Dearest Eat Eating Faith Familiar Friend Great Heel Lifted Shared Trusted Turned
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Ally Ate Bosom Bread Close Dearest Eat Eating Faith Familiar Friend Great Heel Lifted Shared Trusted Turned
Psalm 41
1. The recompense of the charitable
4. David complains of his enemies' treachery
10. He flees to God for helpfulness














Even my close friend
This phrase highlights the deep sense of betrayal experienced by the psalmist. The Hebrew word for "close friend" is "אִישׁ שְׁלוֹמִי" (ish shelomi), which can be translated as "man of my peace" or "trusted companion." This indicates a person with whom the psalmist shared a bond of peace and trust. In the historical context, friendships were often covenantal, involving mutual loyalty and support. The betrayal of such a friend would have been profoundly painful, echoing the ultimate betrayal of Jesus by Judas, as referenced in the New Testament.

whom I trusted
Trust is a foundational element in any relationship, and the Hebrew root "בָּטַח" (batach) conveys a sense of security and confidence. The psalmist's trust in this friend was not superficial; it was deep and genuine. This trust being broken is a reflection of the human condition and the fallibility of even our closest relationships. It serves as a reminder of the importance of placing ultimate trust in God, who is unfailing and steadfast.

who shared my bread
Sharing bread in ancient Near Eastern culture was a sign of fellowship and intimacy. The act of breaking bread together symbolized a bond of unity and peace. The Hebrew word "לַחְמִי" (lachmi) refers to bread, a staple of life, indicating sustenance and shared life. This phrase underscores the depth of the betrayal, as it was not just a casual acquaintance but someone who had shared in the most basic and essential aspects of life with the psalmist. This imagery is poignantly mirrored in the Last Supper, where Jesus shares bread with His disciples, including Judas.

has lifted up his heel against me
The phrase "lifted up his heel" is a Hebrew idiom that conveys an act of treachery or betrayal. The imagery suggests a violent action, akin to kicking someone when they are down. The Hebrew root "עָקֵב" (aqeb) for "heel" can also imply deceit or supplanting, as seen in the account of Jacob and Esau. This expression captures the psalmist's sense of being attacked by someone who was once an ally. In the New Testament, Jesus applies this verse to Judas Iscariot, highlighting the fulfillment of this prophecy in the betrayal of Christ, which ultimately led to His crucifixion and the redemption of humanity.

(9) Hath lifted up his heel.--See margin. The meaning is, possibly, kicked violently at me. But B”ttcher'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."

Verse 9. - Yea, mine own familiar friend (literally, the man of my peace), in whom I trusted. Here Ahithophel is almost certainly intended. He is called "the man of my peace," since he was one of David's official counsellors (2 Samuel 15:12), and consequently on the most friendly terms with him (comp. Psalm 55:13, 14). Which did eat of my bread. At Oriental courts, the king's counsellors, together with many other members of the court, habitually" eat at the king's table" (comp. 2 Samuel 9:7-13; 1 Kings 4:23, 27; 1 Kings 18:19; Nehemiah 5:17; Esther 1:10, 11; Esther 3:15, etc.). Hath lifted up his heel against me. (For Ahithophel's defection from David, and share in Absalom's conspiracy, see 2 Samuel 15:12, 31; 2 Samuel 16:15-23; 2 Samuel 17:1-23.) His conduct is here compared to that of a vicious horse, which kicks his own master. (For the relation of type and antitype between Ahithophel and Judas, see John 15:18.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Even
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

my close friend,
אִ֤ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

whom
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I trusted,
בָּטַ֣חְתִּי (bā·ṭaḥ·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 982: To trust, be confident, sure

he who shared
אוֹכֵ֣ל (’ō·w·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

my bread,
לַחְמִ֑י (laḥ·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

has lifted up
הִגְדִּ֖יל (hiḡ·dîl)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

[his] heel
עָקֵֽב׃ (‘ā·qêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6119: Heel, footprint, hind part

against me.
עָלַ֣י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Poetry: Psalm 41:9 Yes my own familiar friend in whom (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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