Backstabbing is sadly a common occurrence that many face in life. It occurs when someone you trust betrays you or acts against you in a deceitful or underhanded way. The Bible has much to say about backstabbing and provides wisdom and comfort for those who have been hurt by the betrayal of others. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about backstabbing:
Proverbs 25:9-10
Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
This proverb warns against betraying confidences and spreading secrets. Backstabbing often involves revealing private information someone shared with you in order to hurt them. The book of Proverbs cautions against such behavior.
Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
David wrote this when he was betrayed by someone close to him, likely Ahithophel who joined Absolom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15:12). The sadness David felt at the betrayal of a close friend echoes what many feel when stab in the back.
Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.
David again lamented betrayal, this time by a trusted advisor. The pain of backstabbing is often worsened when it comes from someone we considered a friend.
Jeremiah 20:10
For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! “Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” say all my close friends, watching for my fall. “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him.”
The prophet Jeremiah knew the bitterness of having friends plot against him. Their deceitful whispers and desire for revenge describe the secret scheming that backstabbers engage in.
Psalm 109:2-5
For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
The psalmist suffered repayment of good with evil, a common experience when someone you care for stabs you in the back. Yet the response modeled is to turn to prayer rather than retaliate.
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Though not directly about backstabbing, this famous verse reminds us that humans are sinful by nature, prone to wander from God’s ways. This context helps us understand the hurts caused by others.
Luke 17:3-4
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.
Jesus taught extensively on forgiveness and warned that refusing to forgive others traps us in bitterness. When backstabbed, we must guard our hearts by offering forgiveness to those who have hurt us.
Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Loving our enemies is one of Jesus’ most challenging commands. But He enables us to follow it, loving and praying even for those who have backstabbed us. Such love is only possible through His transforming work in our hearts.
Proverbs 26:24-26
Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
These verses warn of those who hide their hatred and duplicity behind kind words. Backstabbers often pretend to be friends even as they secretly plot against you. But ultimately their hatred will be exposed.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
Peter reminds Christians to live in harmony, maintain love, and avoid retaliating when harmed. This includes when backstabbed. Instead, we are to bless those who wrong us in order to walk in grace.
Lamentations 3:55-58
I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, “Do not close your ear to my cry for help!” You came near when I called on you; you said, “Do not fear!” You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life. You have seen the wrong done to me, O Lord; judge my cause.
Though Jeremiah experienced intense betrayal, he found comfort in knowing God heard his prayers, took up his cause, and would ultimately judge rightly. When backstabbed, we can turn to the Lord for vindication rather than seeking revenge.
Romans 12:17-19
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Paul instructs believers not to repay evil with evil, including when someone has backstabbed you. We trust that God will ultimately avenge injustice, allowing us to live at peace with others and refrain from vengeance.
Proverbs 27:5-6
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Backstabbing often involves hidden hatred rather than open and honest sharing. While wounding, honest rebuke from a friend is far better than fake flattery masking duplicity.
Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.
A prayer asking God not to be grouped together with backstabbers and deceivers who offer superficial greetings while harboring hatred inside.
Proverbs 11:13
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Backstabbing frequently involves betraying secrets or private details about someone. The book of Proverbs praises trustworthy people who protect others’ privacy.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Paul paints a picture of godly, agape love that is the opposite of the hostility and betrayal of backstabbing. This passage provides a model for how to love others well and avoid wounding them.
Proverbs 24:21-22
My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
The book of Proverbs suggests avoiding those who are rebellious. Betrayal often results when we enter partnerships with those already scheming and plotting.
Job 19:13-20
He has put my brothers far from me, and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me. My relatives have failed me, my close friends have forgotten me. The guests in my house and my maidservants count me as a stranger; I have become a foreigner in their eyes. I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer; I must plead with him with my mouth for mercy. My breath is strange to my wife, and I am a stench to the children of my own mother. Even young children despise me; when I rise they talk against me.
Job suffered affliction and betrayal from those closest to him. Yet he persevered in faith despite this backstabbing, providing an example of steadfastness for believers.
Psalm 35:11-16
Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know. They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft. But I, when they were sick—I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning. But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing.
The psalmist’s experience illustrates the deep hurt of being repaid evil for good. Though he mourned with those who later backstabbed him, they showed no compassion in return.
John 13:18
I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’
Quoting Psalm 41:9, Jesus predicts Judas’ betrayal though he shared a close bond with the disciples. Backstabbing wounds deeply, especially from trusted friends.
Isaiah 1:23
Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them.
Isaiah accused Israel’s corrupt leaders of rebelling against God and neglecting justice. Their crooked example led the people astray. Bad company promotes backstabbing.
Jeremiah 9:4-5
Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.
The prophet warns against trusting deceitful neighbors and brothers intent on slander. Pervasive societal corruption creates an ideal environment for backstabbing to multiply.
Psalm 62:3-4
How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.
The psalmist lamented being the target of backstabbing plots seeking to destroy him. Though honorable on the outside, his enemies privately schemed against him.
Obadiah 1:7
All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you—you have no understanding.
The Edomites suffered betrayal from supposed friends. Like them, backstabbing often comes suddenly from trusted partners through deception and trickery.
Lamentations 1:2
She weeps bitterly in the night, tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.
Personified as a woman, Jerusalem was in anguish after being betrayed by false allies. Backstabbing leaves a sense of isolation as friends become enemies.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Having faithful friends provides protection against those who would backstab you. Their support will strengthen and defend against malicious schemes.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
In contrast to backstabbing, genuine friends demonstrate sacrificial love in good and bad times. Their loyalty proves itself when hardship comes.
Psalm 143:12
And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.
When backstabbed, we can trust God to defend and vindicate rather than obsessing over getting even. He promises to deal justly with enemies and adversaries.
Though painful when it happens, backstabbing provides an opportunity to grow in Christlikeness and trust in God’s justice. By leaning on Scripture’s wisdom and God’s grace, believers can forgive betrayers and leave vengeance to the Lord. If you have been hurt by backstabbing, may these verses offer comfort and hope.