Belch
The Biblical Usage of 'Belch'
The term 'belch' appears only once in the King James Version of the Bible, in Psalm 59:7: 'Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?' The Hebrew verb translated as 'belch' is nābaʿ, which carries the primary meaning of 'to gush forth,' 'to bubble up,' or 'to pour out,' much like water from a spring. This is not a reference to a bodily function, but a powerful metaphor for unrestrained, violent speech erupting from a corrupted heart.
The Context of Psalm 59
Psalm 59 is a lament and imprecatory psalm attributed to David, written when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him (1 Samuel 19:11). The psalm vividly describes the siege of enemies who, like prowling dogs, surround the city and howl with malicious intent (Psalm 59:6, 14-15). The 'belching' in verse 7 is the verbal component of this assault, the curses, slanders, and violent threats these adversaries spew forth. Their speech is weaponized, described as having 'swords in their lips,' indicating its destructive and cutting nature. Their rhetorical question, 'for who doth hear?' reveals a foundational atheism, a belief that God does not see or judge their words.
A Metaphor for Corrupted Speech
The imagery of 'belching' conveys a lack of control and a source of internal corruption. Just as a physical belch is an involuntary emission from the stomach, the speech of the wicked is an involuntary eruption from a heart filled with malice (Matthew 12:34). It contrasts sharply with the biblical ideal of controlled, gracious, and truthful speech (Proverbs 15:28; Ephesians 4:29). The metaphor emphasizes that evil speech is not merely a surface issue but originates from deep within a person's character.
Theological Contrast: The Speech of the Righteous
The biblical narrative consistently contrasts the destructive 'belching' of the wicked with the life-giving speech of the righteous and of God Himself. While the wicked pour out curses, the righteous are called to pour out prayers and praises to God (Psalm 62:8). God's own words are described as pure and flawless (Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5). The ultimate contrast is found in Jesus Christ, whose words were spirit and life (John 6:63), and who, when reviled, did not revile in return (1 Peter 2:23). The transformation of speech is a key indicator of redemption, as the heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 6:45).
Biblical Context
The term 'belch' is found exclusively in Psalm 59:7 (KJV). It appears within an individual lament psalm where David cries out for deliverance from violent enemies who have surrounded him. The word functions as a vivid descriptor for the hateful, slanderous, and threatening speech these adversaries are unleashing against him. It plays a specific role in painting a portrait of the enemy's character, their internal malice manifesting in uncontrolled, harmful words.
Theological Significance
The metaphor of 'belching' speech teaches profound truths about human sin and God's nature. It reveals that evil speech originates from a corrupted heart, underscoring the biblical doctrine of total depravity and the need for internal transformation (Jeremiah 17:9; Ezekiel 36:26). It also highlights God's role as the righteous judge who does hear the words of the wicked (Psalm 59:7-8) and will hold them accountable (Matthew 12:36-37). Furthermore, it establishes a contrast between the kingdom of darkness, characterized by destructive communication, and the Kingdom of God, which is to be marked by edifying, truthful, and gracious speech that reflects the character of Christ.
Historical Background
The cultural context of Psalm 59 is the ancient Near Eastern practice of siege warfare and the very real threat of slanderous accusations used as weapons. The imagery of barking dogs (Psalm 59:6, 14) reflects a common nuisance in walled ancient cities, where packs of semi-wild dogs scavenged at night, creating a cacophony. This provided a ready metaphor for the harassing, noisy, and threatening behavior of David's enemies. The Hebrew verb nābaʿ is used elsewhere in the Old Testament for water flowing (Job 40:23) and is conceptually linked to words for prophecy (nābāʾ), which involves the 'forth-telling' of a message. This linguistic connection ironically contrasts the uncontrolled gushing of malice with the controlled, divine inspiration of a prophet's speech.