Psalms 41:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, mine own familiar {H7965} friend {H376}, in whom I trusted {H982}{H8804)}, which did eat {H398}{H8802)} of my bread {H3899}, hath lifted up {H1431}{H8689)} his heel {H6119} against me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even my close friend, on whom I relied, who shared my table, has turned 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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 41:9 captures the profound anguish of betrayal experienced by King David, not from an overt enemy, but from a trusted confidant—"mine own familiar friend"—who had shared intimate fellowship and hospitality. This verse poignantly expresses the deep wound inflicted when loyalty is violated by one with whom a bond of peace and trust was presumed, highlighting the devastating emotional and spiritual impact of such treachery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 41 concludes the first book of the Psalter, serving as a lament attributed to David during a period of severe personal distress, likely marked by illness and the machinations of his adversaries. The psalm opens with a blessing upon those who care for the poor and needy, implicitly contrasting this virtue with the contempt David faces. Following this, David pleads for divine mercy and healing from his affliction, acknowledging his own sin but also lamenting the malicious joy of his enemies over his suffering. Verse 9 stands as the emotional climax of this lament, shifting from the general hostility of foes to the specific, agonizing pain of betrayal by an intimate companion, setting the stage for David's ultimate trust in God for vindication and deliverance in the psalm's closing verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, sharing a meal was a deeply significant act, symbolizing covenant, friendship, and mutual obligation. To "eat of my bread" implied a bond of hospitality, trust, and shared life, making any subsequent act of betrayal a heinous violation of sacred social norms. King David, a pivotal figure in Israelite history, experienced numerous periods of intense political intrigue, military conflict, and personal suffering, including plots against his life (e.g., [Absalom's rebellion](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion") or [Ahithophel's betrayal](/2_samuel/16 "2 Samuel 16 - Ahithophel's Counsel")). This verse resonates with the historical reality of a monarch who, despite his power, was vulnerable to the treachery of those within his inner circle. The "lifting up of the heel" is an idiom that evokes an act of contemptuous aggression, like kicking or trampling, signifying a complete and malicious rejection of the relationship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **profound betrayal**, illustrating the unique agony of being wounded by one previously considered a friend, a pain often deeper than that inflicted by an open enemy. It also underscores the **fragility of human trust** and the pervasive reality of sin, even among those in close fellowship. Furthermore, the psalm touches on **divine justice and vindication**, as David appeals to God for deliverance from his treacherous foes. Most significantly, for Christian theology, this verse carries a profound **prophetic foreshadowing**, as it is directly cited by Jesus in [John 13:18](/john/13-18 "John 13:18 - Jesus Foretells His Betrayal") to describe Judas Iscariot's betrayal, linking David's personal suffering to the ultimate suffering of the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Familiar friend (Hebrew, _ʾîš šĕlōmî_):** Literally "man of my peace" or "man of my well-being." This phrase denotes an exceptionally close relationship, someone with whom David shared a bond of peace, intimacy, and mutual welfare. It suggests a confidant, a trusted ally, or even a covenant partner, making the betrayal all the more devastating due to the depth of the violated trust.
* **Did eat of my bread (Hebrew, _ʾōḵēl laḥmî_):** This is a powerful idiom signifying shared hospitality, fellowship, and a deep bond of trust and loyalty. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal created a sacred obligation of protection and loyalty. To betray someone after sharing their bread was an act of profound ingratitude and a violation of a fundamental social and moral covenant.
* **Hath lifted up [his] heel (Hebrew, _higdîl ʿāqēb_):** This vivid idiom conveys an act of contemptuous and aggressive rejection or attack. It can imply kicking, trampling, or even a sudden, decisive turning away from someone with a dismissive gesture. It suggests not just a passive departure but an active, malicious act of opposition, akin to a horse kicking its master or a person kicking dirt on someone.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, mine own familiar friend":** This opening phrase emphasizes the shocking and deeply personal nature of the betrayal. The "familiar friend" (man of my peace) was not a distant acquaintance or an open enemy, but someone with whom David shared a profound and intimate bond, making the subsequent treachery particularly agonizing.
* **"in whom I trusted":** This clause explicitly states the foundation of the relationship: an investment of trust. David had placed his confidence and reliance in this individual, underscoring the depth of the emotional and relational wound when that trust was shattered.
* **"which did eat of my bread":** This powerful idiom highlights the violation of hospitality and fellowship. Sharing bread symbolized a sacred bond of intimacy, mutual support, and covenant. The betrayer was not merely an acquaintance but one who had received sustenance and fellowship from David, amplifying the heinousness of the act.
* **"hath lifted up [his] heel against me":** This final clause describes the act of betrayal itself. The imagery of "lifting up the heel" conveys a contemptuous, aggressive, and decisive act of opposition or rejection. It suggests a malicious kick or trampling, indicating a complete disregard for the relationship and an active intent to cause harm or overthrow.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 41:9 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the profound pain of betrayal. The phrase "mine own familiar friend" uses **irony**, as the very term "familiar" (man of peace) contrasts sharply with the subsequent act of aggression. The idiom "did eat of my bread" is a powerful **metonymy** or **synecdoche**, where the act of sharing food stands in for the entire relationship of hospitality, trust, and covenant. Its violation underscores the depth of the treachery. Similarly, "hath lifted up [his] heel against me" is a vivid **idiom** and **metaphor**, portraying the betrayal not merely as a turning away but as a contemptuous, aggressive, and even violent act, like a kick from an animal or a person. This physical imagery effectively communicates the emotional and spiritual wound inflicted by a trusted confidant. The entire verse functions as a **lament**, expressing deep personal suffering, and also carries significant **foreshadowing** for future events, particularly in the New Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 41:9 transcends David's personal experience to speak to the universal human condition of vulnerability to betrayal, even from those closest to us. Theologically, it underscores the reality of human depravity and the capacity for sin to corrupt even the most intimate relationships. It also highlights the profound suffering of the righteous, reminding us that faithfulness to God does not exempt one from the pain of human treachery. David's lament, however, is not without hope; it is a cry to God for justice and vindication, reflecting a belief in divine sovereignty even amidst profound personal pain. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God understands and empathizes with the agony of betrayal, as He himself would experience it in the person of His Son.

* [2 Samuel 15:12](/2_samuel/15-12 "2 Samuel 15:12 - Ahithophel's Betrayal of David")
* [Job 19:19](/job/19-19 "Job 19:19 - Job's Friends Despise Him")
* [Matthew 26:23](/matthew/26-23 "Matthew 26:23 - Jesus Identifies His Betrayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 41:9 is a raw and honest expression of one of life's most painful experiences: betrayal by a trusted friend. It resonates deeply with anyone who has felt the sting of broken trust, the shock of disloyalty from someone they held dear. David's lament reminds us that such pain is not new, nor is it a sign of personal failure. It is a stark reminder of the fallenness of humanity and the reality that even those we love and trust most can, in their brokenness, inflict deep wounds. This verse invites us to acknowledge the profound emotional and spiritual toll of betrayal, offering a biblical space to voice that pain. Yet, it also implicitly points us towards the ultimate source of unwavering faithfulness: God Himself. When human trust fails, our ultimate security and hope must rest in the One who never betrays, who remains faithful even when we are faithless.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's experience of betrayal resonate with your own understanding or experience of broken trust?**
* **What does the phrase "eat of my bread" teach us about the sacredness of hospitality and friendship in biblical times, and how might this apply today?**
* **How does knowing that even righteous figures like David (and ultimately Jesus) experienced such deep betrayal bring comfort or perspective to your own suffering?**
* **In moments of profound betrayal, where do you find your ultimate trust and solace?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "familiar friend" David refers to in Psalms 41:9?**

Answer: While the psalm does not explicitly name the individual, many scholars believe David is referring to Ahithophel, his trusted counselor who famously betrayed him by joining Absalom's rebellion (as recounted in [2 Samuel 15-17](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). Ahithophel was known for his wise counsel and close relationship with David, making his betrayal particularly devastating. The phrase "man of my peace" (familiar friend) and the act of "eating bread" with David fit perfectly with Ahithophel's former position and the deep trust David placed in him.

**What is the significance of the phrase "which did eat of my bread"?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful idiom in ancient Near Eastern culture, signifying shared hospitality, intimate fellowship, and a deep bond of trust, loyalty, and even covenant. To share a meal with someone was to enter into a relationship of mutual obligation and protection. Therefore, for someone who "did eat of my bread" to then "lift up his heel" against David was the ultimate act of ingratitude, treachery, and a profound violation of sacred social and moral norms. It underscores the depth of the betrayal, as it came from someone who had received sustenance and friendship.

**How does this verse relate to the New Testament and Christian theology?**

Answer: Psalms 41:9 holds immense prophetic significance for Christians because Jesus Himself directly quotes it in [John 13:18](/john/13-18 "John 13:18 - Jesus Foretells His Betrayal") to foretell the betrayal by Judas Iscariot. This connection reveals God's sovereign plan, demonstrating that even the deepest human suffering and treachery were foreseen and incorporated into His redemptive purposes. It highlights Jesus's identification with human suffering, particularly the pain of betrayal, and underscores the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in His life, death, and resurrection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 41:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. David's lament over the betrayal by his "familiar friend" who "did eat of my bread" is a striking foreshadowing of the agony Christ would endure at the hands of Judas Iscariot. At the Last Supper, moments before His crucifixion, Jesus explicitly applies this very verse to Judas, stating, "But the Scripture must be fulfilled, ‘He who shared my bread has lifted his heel against me’” ([John 13:18](/john/13-18 "John 13:18 - Jesus Foretells His Betrayal")). Judas, one of the twelve disciples, had shared intimate fellowship, meals, and the very mission of Christ, yet he betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14 "Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus")). This fulfillment underscores not only the meticulous precision of God's prophetic word but also the depth of Christ's identification with human suffering. The Son of God, who came to reconcile humanity to Himself, experienced the ultimate form of human brokenness: betrayal by one of His own, a profound violation of trust that culminated in His crucifixion. Yet, through this very act of betrayal and suffering, God's redemptive plan was accomplished, leading to the triumph over sin and death and the establishment of a new covenant of unwavering faithfulness, a stark contrast to human treachery ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same")).

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

John 13:18

¶ 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.

Psalms 55:12

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:

Psalms 55:14

We took sweet counsel together, [and] walked unto the house of God in company.

Matthew 26:23

And he answered and said, He that dippeth [his] hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

John 13:26

Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.

John 13:27

And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Psalms 55:20

He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.