Psalms 69:23 — Word Study
WLCתֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה עֵ֭ינֵיהֶם מֵרְא֑וֹת וּ֝מָתְנֵ֗יהֶם תָּמִ֥יד הַמְעַֽד׃
BSAto behâyâh tableshulchân facepânîym snarepach Peaceshâlôwm snaremôwqêsh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה | may they grow dim | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine plural |
| עֵ֭ינֵיהֶם | eyes their | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| מֵרְא֑וֹת | from seeing | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| וּ֝מָתְנֵ֗יהֶם | and loins their | Conjunction, noun common masculine dual construct, suffix |
| תָּמִ֥יד | continually | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| הַמְעַֽד׃ | make to shake | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. |
| KJV | Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. |
| ASV | Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see; And make their loins continually to shake. |
| YLT | Darkened are their eyes from seeing, And their loins continually shake Thou. |
| WEB | Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see. Let their backs be continually bent. |
| BBE | Let their eyes be blind so that they may not see; let their bodies for ever be shaking. |
Where they part company is תֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause expresses the desire for their eyes to be darkened, followed by a subordinate clause explaining the consequence of this action.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
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 69:23
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 — A Lament for Justicegenerated
Psalms 69:23 is part of a lament where the psalmist seeks divine intervention against his adversaries. The surrounding verses express a desire for their downfall and highlight the psalmist's distress over their actions. This plea for judgment reflects a common theme in the Psalms, where the faithful cry out for justice against those who oppress them.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 6:9–10 | And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ |
| 2 | Isaiah 29:9–10 | Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink. |
| 3 | Matthew 13:14–15 | In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. |
| 4 | John 12:39–40 | For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: |
| 5 | Acts 28:26–27 | ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה, tech.Shakh.nahgenerated
The verb תֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה (tech.Shakh.nah) is an imperfect form in the Qal stem, indicating a desire for a future action — in this case, for the eyes of the enemies to grow dim. It is derived from the root חָשַׁךְ (chashak), which means to darken or become dark. This word encompasses the idea of losing light or understanding, suggesting a profound blindness both physically and metaphorically.
The use of this verb implies a divine action that removes the ability to perceive truth or reality, emphasizing the psalmist's wish for their complete incapacitation. The construction here is a call for a state of darkness that prevents insight, aligning with the broader themes of judgment found throughout the Psalms.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase be darkened.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb תֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה governs the entire verse, with two clauses following it. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's plea for both the darkening of their eyes and the bending of their backs, creating a parallelism that enhances the emotional weight of the request.
The first clause expresses the desire for their eyes to be darkened, while the second clause describes the physical state of their backs being bent. This construction reflects a common Hebrew poetic device, where two related concepts are presented together for emphasis.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה as γενηθήτω (genēthētō), which means 'let it be made.' This translation suggests a divine causation, aligning with the psalmist's desire for God to act directly in judgment.
This choice of word indicates a shift from a simple darkening to a more active role of God in bringing about this state, emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on divine intervention.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 69:23 expresses a plea for the enemies of the psalmist to be blinded and weakened. The psalmist desires that they cannot see or understand, and that their strength is taken from them permanently. This reflects a deep yearning for justice and divine intervention.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the enemies will lose their ability to see or understand the truth, leading to their downfall.
This symbolizes weakness and submission, indicating that the enemies will be brought low and unable to stand against the psalmist.
It reflects the common cry for divine justice against oppressors, a recurring theme throughout the Psalms.
It highlights the psalmist's reliance on God for justice and intervention in the face of adversity.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel the need for God's intervention against opposition?
- How can I better understand the concept of divine justice as presented in the Psalms?
- What does it mean for me to seek clarity and insight in my own life?
- How can I support others who are facing oppression or injustice?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, interpreting it as a call for divine judgment against adversaries, reflecting the psalmist's desire for justice.
"Let the table of them be made in their own presence for a trap" [Psalms 69:23]. Like the trap which for Me they set, in giving Me such a draught, let such a trap be for them.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 69 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 69:23 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet their eyes be darkened, that they see not,.... Not literally, the eyes of their bodies; but figuratively, the eyes of their understanding; which were so darkened, and they given up to such
Read John Gill on Psalms 69 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 69 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTheir eyes; not the eyes of their bodies, (for so this was not accomplished in David’ s nor in Christ’ s enemies,) but of their minds, that they may not discern God’ s truth, nor their own duty, nor the way of peace and salvation. Punish them in their own kind; as they shut their eyes and would not see, so do thou judicially blind them. This was threatened and inflicted upon the Jews, ,40. Their loins: this also belongs to the loins of their minds or souls; of which we read . The loins of the body are the seat of strength, and the great instrument of bodily motions and actions; which being applied to the mind, the sense may be, either, 1. Take away their courage and alacrity, and give them…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 69 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.Ver. 23. Let their eyes be darkened] Let them be infatuated and besotted, that they may go hoodwinked to hell. And make their loins continually to shake] Ne fugiant, saith R. Obadiah Gaon, that they may not be able to fly, or otherwise to help themselves; for in the loins and reins of a man lieth his strength, Deuteronomy 33:11. The Syriac hath it, Lumbi eorum sint curvi, viz. under their enemies’ burdens. See Romans 11:10, bow down their backs.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 69 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(23) Their eyes.—The darkened eyes and trembling limbs (comp. Nahum 2:10; Daniel 5:6) are expressive of terror and dismay.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 69 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges23. Let the eyes which gloated over another’s misfortunes be blinded: let the limbs which are the seat of the strength they have abused be palsied.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 69 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible23. Let their eyes be darkened—The Hebrew verb is simply in Kal, future, as in the preceding verse, and should be rendered, Their eyes shall be darkened; the darkness being that of the mind, and the fruit of perversity.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 69 →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
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they can’t see. Let their backs be continually bent.
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.
May their eyes be blinded! Make them shake violently!
Tyndale line
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see; And make their loins continually to shake.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Let their eyes be blinded that they see not: and make their loynes alway to tremble.
Strictly literal
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not, and make their loins continually to shake.
Darkened are their eyes from seeing, And their loins continually shake Thou.
Their eyes are darkened from seeing, || And their loins continually shake You.
(69:24) May their eyes become dark, that they cannot see; and make their loins continually to waver.
Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see; and always make their loins shake.
Simplified
May their eyes become blind so they cannot see, and may their backs always be bent low in dejection.
Let their eyes be blind so that they may not see; let their bodies for ever be shaking.
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 on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched. This consistency suggests a strong preservation of the text across these traditions.
תֶּחְשַׁ֣כְנָה עֵ֭ינֵיהֶם מֵרְא֑וֹת וּ֝מָתְנֵ֗יהֶם תָּמִ֥יד הַמְעַֽד׃
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.
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 69:23
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.
חָשַׁךְ (chashak) is a primitive root meaning to be or become dark. It encompasses various nuances such as growing dim, hiding, or obscuring, and can be used transitively to indicate causing darkness. The entries suggest a range of meanings from physical darkness to metaphorical obscurity.
חָשַׁךְ be, grow dark
base
H2821 חָשַׁךְ be, grow dark
2821 chashak khaw-shak'
a primitive root; to be dark (as withholding light);
transitively, to darken:--be black, be (make) dark, darken,
cause darkness, be dim, hide.
חָשַׁךְ (cha.shakh) — to darken.
1) to be or become dark, grow dim, be darkened, be black, be hidden
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be or grow dark
1a2) to have a dark colour
1a3) to grow dim
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to make dark, cause to be dark
1b2) to hide, conceal
1b3) to obscure, confuse (fig.)
HVqi3fp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine pluralHVqi3fp
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
HNcfdc/Sp3mp — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp3mp
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
מַתְנַ֫יִם (matanim) refers to the loins or hips, derived from a root meaning to be slender. It appears in the plural form and is associated with the term for a greyhound in Proverbs 30:31. The word captures the anatomical region of the waist or small of the back.
מַתְנַ֫יִם n.m.du. loins
base
H4975 מַתְנַ֫יִם loins
4975 mothen mo'-then
from an unused root meaning to be slender; properly, the
waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins:--+
greyhound, loins, side.
מׇתְנַ֫יִם (mo.ten) — loin.
1) loins, hips
1a) used with zar.zir (זַרְזִיר "greyhound" H2223) in Pr 30:31; perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown
HC/Ncmdc/Sp3mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine dual construct · suffixHC/Ncmdc/Sp3mp
תָּמִיד (tamiyd) refers to continuity or perpetuity, often used adverbially to mean continually or constantly. It is derived from a root meaning to stretch, indicating indefinite extension. The term is also associated with the regular daily sacrifice in the Old Testament, emphasizing its constant nature.
תָּמִיד n.m. continuity
earliest and oftenest as adv., continually
as subst.
base
H8548 תָּמִיד continuity . earliest and oftenest as adv., continually
. as subst.
8548 tamiyd taw-meed'
from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance
(as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as
adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the
regular (daily) sacrifice:--alway(-s), continual
(employment, -ly), daily, ((n-))ever(-more), perpetual.
תָּמִיד (ta.mid) — continually.
1) continuity, perpetuity, to stretch
1a) continually, continuously (as adverb)
1b) continuity (subst)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
מָעַד (ma'ad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to slip or slide. It can describe the action of slipping or tottering in its basic form (Qal), and in the Hiphil form, it means to cause something to shake or totter. The entries collectively emphasize the physical instability implied by the word.
[מָעַד] vb. slip, slide, totter, shake (only Heb.);—
Qal slip
Pu. pass. not needed here
Hiph. cause to shake, i.e. make them totter
base
H4571 מָעַד, מוּעֶדֶת, עָמַד
4571 ma`ad maw-ad'
a primitive root; to waver:--make to shake, slide, slip.
מָעַד (ma.ad) — to slip.
1) to slip, slide, totter, shake
1a) (Qal) to slip
1b) (Hiphil) to cause or make to shake or totter
HVhv2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine singularHVhv2ms