Psalms 119:70 — Word Study
WLCטָפַ֣שׁ כַּחֵ֣לֶב לִבָּ֑ם אֲ֝נִ֗י תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ שִֽׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי׃
BSATheir heartslêb [insensate as fat, stubbornly unfeeling] are callousṭâphash△■ [gross, unresponsive] and insensitivecheleb ◂but Iʼănîy [emphatically, I myself] delightshâʻaʻ■ [take great pleasure, smear with joy] in Your lawtôwrâh [instruction, divine guidance, Torah]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| טָפַ֣שׁ | it is insensitive | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| כַּחֵ֣לֶב | like fat | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לִבָּ֑ם | heart their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| אֲ֝נִ֗י | I | Pronoun |
| תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ | law your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| שִֽׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי׃ | I delight | Verb, Piel, perfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Their hearts are hard and callous, but I delight in Your law. |
| KJV | Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. |
| ASV | Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law. |
| YLT | Insensate as fat hath been their heart, I — in Thy law I have delighted. |
| WEB | Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law. |
| BBE | Their hearts are shut up with fat; but my delight is in your law. |
The translations agree on the description of hearts as טָפַשׁ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence presents a main clause describing the state of others, followed by a contrasting clause that emphasizes the psalmist's personal response.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
verbטָפַשׁ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:70
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Reflections on God's Lawgenerated
Psalm 119:70 presents a contrast between the hardened hearts of others and the psalmist's joy in God's law. This verse is part of a broader reflection on the psalmist's experiences with those who oppose him and his unwavering commitment to divine instruction, as seen in the surrounding verses. The psalmist emphasizes the value of God's teachings in the face of adversity, drawing attention to the richness of the law as a source of delight.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 17:10 | They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance. |
| 2 | Psalm 73:7 | From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. |
| 3 | Isaiah 6:10 | Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed. ” |
| 4 | Acts 28:27 | For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ |
| 5 | Psalm 119:16–35 | I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — טָפַשׁ, ta.Fashgenerated
The verb טָפַשׁ (ta.Fash) means to be insensitive or gross, often used to describe a lack of understanding or perception. Its use in this verse highlights the metaphorical sense of being thick-headed, emphasizing the stubbornness of those who reject divine guidance.
This word is parsed as a perfect third person masculine singular verb, indicating a completed action. The insensitivity described here is a state of being that reflects a deeper moral or spiritual condition.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is שִֽׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי, I delight, which governs the subject אֲ֝נִ֗י (I) and is complemented by the object תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ (Your law). The structure emphasizes the psalmist's personal commitment to delighting in God's instruction.
The phrases are arranged to contrast the hardened hearts of others with the psalmist's joyful response, showcasing a clear distinction between the two states.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word טָפַשׁ is translated as ἐτυρώθη, which conveys a sense of being hardened or calloused. This choice reflects a similar understanding of insensitivity as seen in the Hebrew.
The translation choice indicates a consistent interpretation of the emotional and spiritual state described in the original text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:70 contrasts the hard-heartedness of others with the psalmist's delight in God's law. While others are insensitive, the psalmist finds joy in following God's instructions, emphasizing the importance of divine guidance in his life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It describes a state of insensitivity and stubbornness in those who reject God's guidance, contrasting with the psalmist's openness to divine instruction.
The psalmist uses the verb for delight to emphasize a deep-seated joy and pleasure in following God's teachings, suggesting a personal and emotional connection to the law.
The term 'law' refers to God's instructions and guidance, which are seen as valuable and enriching, providing direction for the psalmist's life.
We can reflect on our own responsiveness to God's teachings and strive to find joy in following His guidance, contrasting our attitudes with those who may be indifferent.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see insensitivity in myself or others regarding God's teachings?
- How can I cultivate a deeper delight in God's law in my daily life?
- What practices can help me remain sensitive to God's guidance amidst a hard-hearted world?
- How does understanding the psalmist's joy in God's instruction affect my perspective on the law?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse includes insights from Augustine of Hippo, who reflects on the nature of hardened hearts in contrast to the psalmist's devotion.
"Their heart is curdled as milk" [Psalms 119:70]. Whose, save the proud, whose iniquity he has said has been multiplied upon him? But he wishes it to be understood by this word,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:70 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTheir heart is as fat as grease,.... Or tallow, a lump of it, fat or grease congealed.
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTheir heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. Their heart is as fat as grease - as obese as fat (Deuteronomy 32:15): a mind reprobate [incapable of judging and appreciating, noun (G3563)
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTheir heart is as fat as grease; the sense is either, 1. They are stupid, and insensible, and past feeling, not affected either with the terrors or comforts of God’ s word. So the like phrase is used , compared with . Or, 2. They prosper exceedingly, and are even glutted with the wealth and comforts of this life. But I delight in thy law; but I do not envy them their jollity, and I have as much delight in God’ s law as they have in worldly things.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; [but] I delight in thy law.Ver. 70. Their heart is as fat as grease] Gross as grease; curdled as milk or cheese, say the Septuagint, congealed and baked as it were in their sins. Obtusum et quasi adipe obductum; fat things are less sensible, and fat-hearted people are noted by Aristotle for dull and stupid. But I delight in thy law] Illa me pasco et sagino, therewith I feed and fat myself.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(70) As fat as grease.—For this emblem of pride and insensibility, see Psalms 17:10; Psalms 73:7; Isaiah 6:10.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 70. Their heart is as fat as grease] They are egregiously stupid, they have fed themselves without fear; they are become flesh-brutalized, and given over to vile affections, and have no kind of spiritual relish: but I delight in thy law - I have, through thy goodness, a spiritual feeling and a spiritual appetite.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges70. Gross is their heart as fat (lit. the fat of the midriff), as insensible and incapable of receiving any spiritual impression as the fat near it (Psalms 17:10; Psalms 73:7; Isaiah 6:10); as for me, in thy law do I delight.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTheir heart is as fat as grease - They are prospered. They have health, property, influence, comforts of all kinds.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Their hearts are hard and callous, but I delight in Your law.
Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
Their hearts are callous and insensitive, but I delight in Your law.
Their hearts are calloused, but I find delight in your law.
Tyndale line
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law.
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
Their heart is as gross as fat; but I delight in thy law.
Their heart is fatte as grease: but my delite is in thy Lawe.
Strictly literal
Their heart is as fat as grease: as for me, I delight in thy law.
Insensate as fat hath been their heart, I — in Thy law I have delighted.
Their heart has been thick as fat, || I have delighted in Your law.
Gross as fat is their heart; but I take truly delight in thy law.
Their hearts are hardened, but I delight in your law.
Simplified
They are cold and unfeeling, but I love your law.
Their hearts are shut up with fat; but my delight is in your law.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the reading, although two words are partly restored, indicating a high level of textual consistency across these witnesses.
טָפַ֣שׁ כַּחֵ֣לֶב לִבָּ֑ם אֲ֝נִ֗י תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ שִֽׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
טפש כחלב לב׳ם אני תורת׳כה שעשוע׳י
4 words on the leather — 2 partly restored.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:70
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
טָפַשׁ (taphash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be gross or insensitive, with a figurative sense of being thick or stupid. It appears in Psalm 119:70, where it is used metaphorically. The entries indicate a focus on the idea of insensitivity or lack of perception.
טָפַשׁ vb. be gross—metaph. ψ 119:70
ref
H2954 טָפַשׁ be gross
2954 taphash taw-fash'
a primitive root; properly, apparently to be thick;
figuratively, to be stupid:--be fat.
טָפַשׁ (ta.phash) — be insensitive.
(Qal) to be gross, be insensitive, be fat
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
חֵ֫לֶב (cheleb) means fat, referring to both human and animal fat, as well as the choicest parts of agricultural products. It conveys the idea of richness or abundance, highlighting the best or finest portions. The entries consistently emphasize its literal and figurative uses, but do not provide specific verse references.
חֵ֫לֶב n.m. fat
fat of human body
fat of beasts
choicest, best part of products of land
base
H2459 חֵ֫לֶב fat . fat of human body
. fat of beasts
. choicest, best part of products of land
2459 cheleb kheh'-leb
or cheleb {khay'-leb}; from an unused root meaning to be fat;
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or
choice part:--X best, fat(-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.
חֵ֫לֶב (che.lev) — fat.
1) fat
1a) fat (of humans)
1b) fat (of beasts)
1c) choicest, best part, abundance (of products of the land)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
(chelebh, chelebh): The layer of subcutaneous fat and the compact suet surrounding the viscera and imbedded in the entrails, which, like the blood, was forbidden as food in the Mosaic code (Le 3:17). It was to be sacrificed to God by being burnt upon the altar (Le 3:16; 30). This had to be done on the very day on which a beast had been slaughtered, to remove temptation from the Israelite to use it otherwise (Ex 23:18). The law was probably a sanitary restriction, for, at an early date, leprosy, scrofula and disfiguring cutaneous diseases were thought to be caused by the use of fat as food. It was, moreover, an important pedagogical provision teaching the idea of self-denial, and the maxim that the richest and best meat of the…
Fat
(Heb. heleb) denotes the richest part of the animal, or the fattest of the flock, in the account of Abel’s sacrifice (Gen. 4:4). It sometimes denotes the best of any production (Gen. 45:18; Num. 18:12; Ps. 81:16; 147:47). The fat of sacrifices was to be burned (Lev. 3:9-11; 4:8; 7:3; 8:25; Num. 18:17. Comp. Ex. 29:13-22; Lev. 3:3-5).
It is used figuratively for a dull, stupid state of mind (Ps 17:10).
i.e. VAT, the word employed in the Authorized Version to translate the Hebrew term yekeb , in (Joel 2:24; 3:13) The word commonly used for yekeb is "winepress" or "winefat," and once "pressfat." (Haggai 2:16) The "vats" appear to have been excavated out of the native rock of the hills on which the vineyards lay.
The fat portions of animals offered in sacrifice were always to be consumed, as being the choice part and especially sacred to the Lord. The blood was also sacred, as containing the life of the animal. The Jews were forbidden to eat either, Le 3:16,17; 7:23-27.
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
שָׁעַע (sha`a`) has meanings related to both being smeared or blinded and taking delight or sport. It can describe the act of smearing eyes shut or delighting oneself in various activities. The entries indicate a range of uses, from physical actions to emotional states, but do not present any significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[שָׁעַע] vb. be smeared over, blinded
Qal Hithpalp. blind yourselves and be blind!
Hiph. and its eyes besmear!
base
[שָׁעַע] vb. Pilp., etc., sport, take delight in, delight
Pilp. the suckling shall sport on the cobra’s hole
Palp. upon the knees shall ye be fondled.
Hithpalp. in thy statutes will I delight myself
base
H8173a שָׁעַע be smeared over, blinded H8173b שָׁעַע sport, take delight in, delight
8173 sha`a` shaw-ah'
a primitive root; (in a good acceptation) to look upon (with
complacency), i.e. fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a bad
one) to look about (in dismay), i.e. stare:--cry (out) (by
confusion with 7768), dandle, delight (self), play, shut.
see HEBREW for 07768
שָׁעַע (sha.a) — to smear.
1) to be smeared over, be blinded
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be smeared over, be blinded
1a2) to smear eyes shut
1b) (Hiphil) to besmear (of eyes), smear over eyes
1c) (Hithpalpel) to blind oneself, be blinded
שָׁעַע (sha.a) — to delight.
1) to sport, take delight in
1a) (Pilpel) to sport, delight in, take delight in, delight oneself
1b) (Palpal) to be fondled
1c) (Hithpalpel) to delight oneself
V-l-Perf-1cs — Verb · Piel · perfect first person common singularHVpp1cs
de-lit' (verb, chaphets, ratsah, sha`a`; sunedomai): "To delight" is most frequently expressed by chaphets, which means originally "to bend" (compare Job 40:17, "He moveth his tail"), hence, "to incline to," "take pleasure in." It is used of God's pleasure in His people (Nu 14:8; 2Sa 22:20; Ps 18:19, etc.), and in righteousness, etc. (Isa 66:4; Jer 9:24; Mic 7:18, etc.), also of man's delight in God and His will (Ps 40:8; 73:25; the King James Version and the…