I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
Parallel translations
- WEB I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.
- BSB I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.
- ESV I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads.
- NKJV I also have become a reproach to them; When they look at me, they shake their heads.
- NASB I also have become a disgrace to them; When they see me, they shake their head.
- NLT I am a joke to people everywhere; when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David has become an object of scorn, with people shaking their heads at the sight of him. His suffering brings public contempt.
Overview
The shaking of the head was a gesture of mockery and derision. This experience of reproach is taken up most fully by Christ, at whose cross the passersby 'wagged their heads' (Matthew 27:39; Psalm 22:7). David's affliction thus foreshadows the rejection endured by the suffering Messiah.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Ps 22:6–7But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
- Ps 69:19–20Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
- Rom 15:3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
- Ps 69:9–12For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
- Job 16:4I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
- Heb 13:13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
- Heb 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Mark 15:29And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
- Ps 35:15–16But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
- Ps 31:11–13I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
- Matt 27:39–40And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
- Isa 37:22This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 109:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.