Psalms 35:16
Psalms 35:16 in Multiple Translations
Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Like the profane mockers in feasts, They gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Like men of deceit they put me to shame; the voice of their wrath was loud against me.
Like irreligious people mocking a cripple they mock me and call me names, gnashing their teeth at me.
With the false skoffers at bankets, gnashing their teeth against me.
With profane ones, mockers in feasts, Gnashing against me their teeth.
Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Worthless people ridicule me and snarl at me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 35:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 35:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ֭/חַנְפֵי
לַעֲגֵ֣י
מָע֑וֹג
חָרֹ֖ק
עָלַ֣/י
שִׁנֵּֽי/מוֹ
בְּ֭/חַנְפֵי
chânêph
H2611
profane
Prep | Adj
לַעֲגֵ֣י
lâʻêg
H3934
mocking
Adj
מָע֑וֹג
mâʻôwg
H4580
bun
N-ms
חָרֹ֖ק
châraq
H2786
to grind
V-Qal-Ptc
עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
שִׁנֵּֽי/מוֹ
shên
H8127
tooth
N-cd | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 35:16
בְּ֭/חַנְפֵי
chânêph
H2611
"profane"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is hypocritical and godless, like the Pharisees Jesus condemned in Matthew 23. It means being soiled by sin and acting irreligiously. The KJV Bible translates it as 'hypocrite'.
Definition: hypocritical, godless, profane, hypocrite, irreligious
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: hypocrite(-ical). See also: Job 8:13; Job 34:30; Psalms 35:16.
לַעֲגֵ֣י
lâʻêg
H3934
"mocking"
Adj
A buffoon or someone who mocks others is what this word describes, also sometimes referring to a foreigner who speaks in a stammering way.
Definition: 1) mocking 1a) mocker (noun cstr)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: mocker, stammering. See also: Psalms 35:16; Isaiah 28:11.
מָע֑וֹג
mâʻôwg
H4580
"bun"
N-ms
A cake of bread, like a sweet bun, is what this Hebrew word describes, also referring to a parasite or feast in the Bible.
Definition: cake
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: cake, feast. See also: 1 Kings 17:12; Psalms 35:16.
חָרֹ֖ק
châraq
H2786
"to grind"
V-Qal-Ptc
To grind or gnash means to rub teeth together, often in anger or frustration. In the Bible, this word is used to describe the action of grinding teeth in pain or anger, like in Job 16:9.
Definition: (Qal) to gnash, grind (the teeth)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: gnash. See also: Job 16:9; Psalms 37:12; Psalms 35:16.
עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
שִׁנֵּֽי/מוֹ
shên
H8127
"tooth"
N-cd | Suff
The Hebrew word for tooth can also mean ivory or a sharp cliff. It is used in the Bible to describe the teeth of humans and animals, as well as sharp rocks, and is often translated as tooth or ivory.
Definition: : tooth 1) tooth, ivory 1a) tooth 1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast 1b) tooth, tine (of fork) 1c) ivory 1c1) as material 1c2) of commerce 1d) sharp pointed rock
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: crag, [idiom] forefront, ivory, [idiom] sharp, tooth. See also: Genesis 49:12; Psalms 57:5; Psalms 3:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 35:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 35:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 35:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 35:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 35:16
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 35:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
- Sermons on Psalms 35:16
Context — Contend with My Opponents, O LORD
14I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.
15But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.
16Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.
17How long, O Lord, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. 18Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 2:16 | All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!” |
| 2 | Job 16:9 | His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes. |
| 3 | Psalms 37:12 | The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, |
| 4 | John 18:28 | Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 20:24–42 | So David hid in the field, and when the New Moon had come, the king sat down to eat. He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty. Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.” But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?” Jonathan answered, “David urgently requested my permission to go to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he did not come to the king’s table.” Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the disgrace of the mother who bore you? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingship shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” “Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him; so Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David. Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger and did not eat any food that second day of the month, for he was grieved by his father’s shameful treatment of David. In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for the appointment with David, and a small boy was with him. He said to the boy, “Run and find the arrows I shoot.” And as the boy ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. When the boy reached the place where Jonathan’s arrow had fallen, Jonathan called to him, “Isn’t the arrow beyond you?” Then Jonathan cried out, “Hurry! Make haste! Do not delay!” So the boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. But the boy did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the boy and said, “Go, take it back to the city.” When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more. And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city. |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 5:8 | Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth. |
| 7 | Isaiah 1:14–15 | I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. |
| 8 | Acts 7:54 | On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him. |
Psalms 35:16 Summary
[Psalms 35:16 describes a situation where the psalmist is being mocked and ridiculed by his enemies, who are likened to 'godless jesters at a feast'. This means that they are recklessly and joyfully celebrating the psalmist's suffering, without any regard for God or His laws. As believers, we can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and timing, even when we face similar situations of persecution and mockery, and seek to forgive those who have wronged us, as taught in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-28. By doing so, we can experience the peace and comfort that comes from knowing that God is our deliverer and vindicator, as seen in Psalms 35:17 and Romans 8:33-34.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be like 'godless jesters at a feast'?
This phrase in Psalms 35:16 refers to people who are mockingly joyful and reckless in their behavior, similar to the attitude of those who reject God, as seen in Psalms 14:1 and Romans 3:18. They are likened to jesters, who are entertainers, but in this context, they are entertained by the suffering of others.
Why did the enemies of the psalmist 'gnash their teeth' at him?
The act of gnashing teeth, as seen in Psalms 35:16, is a sign of anger, hatred, and contempt, similar to the reaction of those who rejected Jesus in Acts 7:54. It shows the intense hostility and malice the enemies of the psalmist had towards him.
How should we respond when we face similar situations of mockery and persecution?
As believers, we should respond with faith and trust in God, knowing that He is our deliverer and vindicator, as seen in Psalms 35:17 and Romans 8:33-34. We should also seek to forgive our enemies and pray for them, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:44.
We can learn that we are not alone in our struggles, and that even the righteous can face opposition and hatred, as seen in John 15:20 and 1 Peter 2:20. We can also learn to trust in God's sovereignty and timing, knowing that He will ultimately vindicate us and bring justice to those who have wronged us, as seen in Psalms 37:5-6 and Revelation 21:4.
Reflection Questions
- How do you respond when you are mocked or ridiculed by others, and what can you learn from the psalmist's experience?
- In what ways can you identify with the psalmist's feelings of being surrounded by enemies and facing persecution, and how can you apply the principles of this verse to your own life?
- What are some ways that you can trust in God's sovereignty and timing when faced with difficult circumstances, and how can you seek to forgive those who have wronged you?
- How can you balance the desire for justice and vindication with the command to love and forgive your enemies, and what role does prayer play in this process?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 35:16
With hypocritical mockers in feasts,.... That is, the abjects gathered, themselves together with such; these may design Saul's courtiers, his parasites and flatterers, and who were hypocrites in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 35:16
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
Hypocritical, or profane, as this word signifies, 13:16 15:34 17:8, and, as some add, in all other places. Mockers; whose common practice it is to scoff at and deride others, and me in particular. In feasts; or, of or for a cake; or, a morsel of bread, as this word signifies, ,13 19:6; by which he further shows what vile and worthless persons these were, that would transgress for a morsel of bread, as it is said, . They made themselves buffoons and jesters, and accustomed themselves to mock and deride David, that thereby they might gain admittance to the acquaintance and tables of great men, where they might fill their bellies; which was all that they sought for, or got by it. They gnashed upon me with their teeth; they used all expressions of rage and hatred against me, among which this was one, . This they did to curry favour with my great and potent adversaries.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
Psalms 35:16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.Ver. 16. With hypocritical mockers in feasts] Cum sannionibus placentae vel cibi, with hypocritical mockers for a cake or dainties. There is an elegance in the original, which showeth it to be proverbial, and cannot be translated R. Solomon telleth us here, that they who delighted in flatteries gave their flatterers cakes baked with honey, to make them the more to flatter them. Solomon telleth of some that will transgress for a piece of bread, Proverbs 28:21. So those parasitic prophets, Ezekiel 13:19. Or, I am made their table talk, as Hosea 7:8, scornfully deriding me at their feasts and in their cups, Mensarii scurrae.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
(16) With hypocritical mockers in feasts.—This clause is full of difficulty. The LXX. and Vulg. have, “they tempted me, they mocked me with a mocking”; Symmachus, “in hypocrisy, with feigned words”; Chaldee, “with derisive words of flattery.” All these take the word rendered in the Authorised Version, “feasts,” as a cognate of a word in Isaiah 28:11, translated “stammering,” but which means rather, “barbarisms.” (Comp. Isaiah 33:19.) The word rendered “hypocritical” more properly means “profane” or “impious.” With these meanings we get a very good sense (with evident reference to the malicious attacks of foreigners, or of the anti-national party that affected foreign ways) in the manner of profane barbaric barbarisms, or with profanity and barbarism.As to the rendering “feasts,” it comes from treating the word as the same used (1 Kings 17:13) for a “cake.” “Cake-mockers” are explained to be parasites who hang about the tables of the rich, getting their dinner in return for their buffooneries. (Comp. the Greek ψωμοκόλακεις; Latin, bucellarii.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
Verse 16. With hypocritical mockers in feasts] These verses seem to be prophetic of the treatment of Christ. They did tear me, and I knew it not. They blindfolded and buffeted him; they placed him in such circumstances as not to be able to discern who insulted him, except by a supernatural knowledge. With hypocritical mockers in feasts may also relate prophetically to our Lord's sufferings. Herod clothed him in a purple robe, put a reed in his hand for a sceptre, bowed the knee before him, and set him at naught. Here their hypocritical conduct (pretending one thing while they meant another) was manifest, and possibly; this occurred at one of Herod's feasts.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 35:16
16. Like (less probably, among) the profanest of mocking parasites they gnash &c.; a gesture of rage, as though they would devour their victim (Psalms 35:25). The obscure phrase in the first line is generally explained to mean mockers for a cake, buffoons who purchase entertainment for themselves by scurrilous jests (Gr. κνισσοκόλακες, ψωμοκόλακες, Lat. buccellarii). Another explanation is, like (or, among) the profanest of perverse mockers.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 35:16
With hypocritical mockers in feasts - The word rendered hypocritical here - חנף chânêph - properly means people “profane, impious, abandoned.” It refers to such persons as are commonly found in scenes of revelry.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 35:16
16. Hypocritical mockers in feasts—Impious table jesters: men whose occupation was to make merriment at feasts—buffoons.
Sermons on Psalms 35:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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From the Death of Alexander and Aristobulus to the Banishment of Archelaus by Flavius Josephus | Flavius Josephus recounts the tumultuous final days of King Herod, who, afflicted with a severe and painful illness as a divine judgment for his sins, becomes increasingly tyrannic |
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(John) Jesus in the Judgement Hall by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher begins by praying for the congregation and expressing the urgency of the message. He then focuses on the interaction between Jesus and Pilate during th |
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Church - Pillar and Ground of the Truth by Wong Chin Meng | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a conversation between Ravi Zacharias, a preacher, and a judge from New York. The judge points to pictures and asks Ravi if they give him a lot |
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Road to Redemption by Shane Idleman | This sermon focuses on the road to redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. It emphasizes the counter-cultural nature of the gospel, the power of Christ's sac |
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Suffered Under Pontius Pilate by Mariano Di Gangi | Mariano Di Gangi explores the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate, emphasizing the political and moral complexities surrounding the event. He highlights Pilate's struggle between |
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Day 215, John 18 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the Gospel of John, highlighting unique aspects such as Jesus' captors falling to the ground when He identified Himself as 'I am,' echoing God's revelatio |
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The Challenge to and Exposure of the Jewish Rulers by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the spiritual significance of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, asserting that this pivotal 'hour' reveals Christ's true nature and authority. He challenges |