What this hexagram is about
Above and below like jaws closing on something held in the mouth, which must be bitten through before they meet — the image of clearing away obstruction and judging right from wrong. When blocked, one must bite through with resolve; enforce the law fairly, with reward and punishment clearly drawn.
The Judgment 卦辞
噬嗑，亨。利用狱。
Success. It is favorable to administer justice.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：雷电，噬嗑；先王以明罚敕法。
Thunder and lightning together; so the ancient kings made punishments clear and set the laws in order.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
屦校灭趾，不行也。
Fettered so the feet are hidden — he is kept from going wrong.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Nine at the top何校灭耳，凶。
Bearing a heavy cangue that maims the ears — evil unrepented, great guilt drawing heavy punishment; misfortune.
Six in the fifth place噬干肉，得黄金，贞厉，无咎。
Biting dried meat and finding gold within — clear judgment that yields its reward; hold to what is right, keep a wary, mindful dread, and there is no fault.
Nine in the fourth place噬干胏，得金矢，利艰贞，吉。
Biting dried meat on the bone and striking a metal arrowhead — rooting out an ill against hard resistance; it is fitting to hold to what is right amid hardship — good fortune.
Nine in the third place噬腊肉，遇毒。小吝，无咎。
Biting on dried, aged meat and meeting a tainted taste — dealing with a long-set ill and striking thorny resistance; slight regret, but no fault.
Six in the second place噬肤灭鼻，无咎。
Biting through the flesh until the nose is buried — a punishment somewhat heavier than its object deserves; yet there is no fault.
Initial Six屦校灭趾，无咎。
Fetters on the feet that bruise the toes — a light punishment that checks the small fault before it grows; there is no fault.