close friend

The Hebrew in Psalm 41:9 that is translated as “they gathered together against me” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with bwezi la pamtima or “friend of the heart.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also close friends.

complete verse (Psalm 41:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 41:9:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “Even my friend of the heart whom I trust,
    he who eats together with me
    has lifted up his heel contending with me.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “Even one of my closest friends,
    with whom I would eat from the same plate
    turned against me.
    I had trusted him completely.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “Even my close friend whom I trusted a lot and shared with me in eating has-betrayed me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Eastern Bru:
    “Even the one who is my close friend, the one I really respect, the one who eats together with me, he is traitorous toward me (lit. has become bamboo that is split in two).” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “Even my friend whom I put my heart,
    and he eats together with me,
    he turned against me.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Pia na rafiki yangu ambaye nilimtumaini,
    ambaye tulikuwa tunakula pamoja,
    amegeuka kuwa adui yangu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Even my best friend, whom I trusted very much, who often ate with me,
    has betrayed me/put me into my enemies’ hands.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 41:9

My bosom friend translates “the man of my peace”; here the word shalom (in contrast with 29.11) probably involves the idea of a covenant; see New Jerusalem Bible “My ally.” Most translations have “My best friend.”

Who ate of my bread may be rendered “who used to eat with me” or, as Bible en français courant translates, “with whom I shared my bread.” Bread stands for food in general.

The expression lifted his heel against me may express the idea of violence; most, however, see it in terms of an insult or of betrayal, treachery. New Jerusalem Bible has “has been utterly false to me”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “has betrayed me”; Bible en français courant “turned against me”; also possible is “took advantage of me.” Has lifted his heel against me with the meaning of “betray” is sometimes expressed idiomatically as “one who eats with you and sells you.” In this sense one may translate line b as “he has eaten with me and sold me” or “he has sold me as an enemy.”

Part of this verse is used in John 13.18, as a reference to Judas Iscariot.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .