Bible Strands
Psalms 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist, lying ill and struck down (v. 8), addresses the LORD and names the specific wound: not an enemy's blow but a friend's.
The words — הִגְדִּיל (higdîl), literally "he has made great," is the Hebrew idiom for raising the heel to kick from behind — a treacherous, back-stabbing gesture rather than a frontal attack.
The thread — Jesus applies this verse to Judas in John 13:18; the same psalmist laments the same betrayal in Psalms 55:12.
Why it lands — It forces the reader to distinguish between an enemy's hostility (endurable) and a friend's betrayal (cutting), and to bring that distinction honestly before God rather than dressing it up.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
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.’
- Psalms 55:12 For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.
- Matthew 26:23 Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.
- Psalms 55:20 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
- John 13:26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
- Job 19:19 All my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me.
- Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”
- 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.
- Obadiah 1:7 All the men allied with you will drive you to the border; the men at peace with you will deceive and overpower you. Those who eat your bread will set a trap for you without your awareness of it.
- Micah 7:5 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.