Proverbs 18:8
New International Version
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

New Living Translation
Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

English Standard Version
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Berean Standard Bible
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

King James Bible
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

New King James Version
The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

New American Standard Bible
The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

NASB 1995
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

NASB 1977
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

Legacy Standard Bible
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the stomach.

Amplified Bible
The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

Christian Standard Bible
A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.

American Standard Version
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

Contemporary English Version
There's nothing so delicious as the taste of gossip! It melts in your mouth.

English Revised Version
The words of a whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.

Good News Translation
Gossip is so tasty--how we love to swallow it!

International Standard Version
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels as they descend to the innermost parts of the body.

Majority Standard Bible
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

NET Bible
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being.

New Heart English Bible
The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.

Webster's Bible Translation
The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

World English Bible
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, "" And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.

Young's Literal Translation
The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
The words of the tale-bearer as dainty morsels, and they will go down to the chambers of the belly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.

New American Bible
The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels: they sink into one’s inmost being.

New Revised Standard Version
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The words of a slothful man bring evil to him, and they cause him to go down into the inner chambers of Sheol.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The words of a lazy man cast him into evil, and they lower him to the inner chamber of Sheol.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. 9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.…

Cross References
Proverbs 26:22
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Psalm 64:3-4
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, / ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

Romans 1:29-30
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.

Psalm 52:2-4
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

1 Timothy 5:13
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

Leviticus 19:16
You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.

Proverbs 20:19
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.


Treasury of Scripture

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

words

Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 16:28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Proverbs 26:20-22
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth…

Jump to Previous
Belly Body Choice Dainty Delicious Evil Food Gossip Heart Inmost Inner Innermost Morsels Neighbour Parts Person's Self-Inflicted Sweet Talebearer Tale-Bearer Whisperer Words Wounds
Jump to Next
Belly Body Choice Dainty Delicious Evil Food Gossip Heart Inmost Inner Innermost Morsels Neighbour Parts Person's Self-Inflicted Sweet Talebearer Tale-Bearer Whisperer Words Wounds
Proverbs 18
1. A fool delights not in understanding














The words of a gossip
Gossip, in biblical terms, refers to idle talk or rumors about others, often involving details that are not confirmed as true. The Bible frequently warns against gossip, as it can lead to discord and division within communities. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, maintaining community harmony was crucial, and gossip was seen as a threat to this unity. The book of Proverbs often contrasts the wise and the foolish, and gossip is associated with folly. Other scriptures, such as James 3:5-6, highlight the destructive power of the tongue, emphasizing the need for self-control in speech.

are like choice morsels
This phrase uses the metaphor of food to describe the allure of gossip. In ancient times, choice morsels would have been considered delicacies, something desirable and tempting. This imagery suggests that gossip can be enticing and hard to resist, much like a delicious treat. The comparison to food also implies that gossip can be consumed and internalized, affecting one's thoughts and actions. The allure of gossip is further explored in Proverbs 26:22, which repeats this imagery, underscoring its persistent danger.

that go down into the inmost being
The "inmost being" refers to the deepest parts of a person, indicating that gossip can penetrate and affect one's heart and soul. In biblical anthropology, the heart is often seen as the center of thought, emotion, and will. This suggests that gossip can influence a person's inner life, potentially leading to bitterness, resentment, or other negative emotions. The impact of words on the heart is a recurring theme in scripture, as seen in Matthew 15:18-19, where Jesus teaches that what comes out of the mouth reflects the heart's condition. This phrase warns of the profound and potentially harmful effects of internalizing gossip.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often address practical aspects of daily life and human behavior.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal norms and values of ancient Israel can provide insight into the text.

3. Gossip
While not a person or place, gossip is the central theme of this verse. It refers to idle talk or rumors, especially about the personal or private affairs of others.
Teaching Points
The Allure of Gossip
Gossip is likened to "choice morsels," suggesting it is tempting and seemingly delightful. Believers must be aware of this allure and resist the temptation to engage in or listen to gossip.

The Deep Impact of Words
The phrase "they go down into the inmost being" indicates that gossip can deeply affect both the speaker and the listener. It can shape perceptions and damage relationships, highlighting the need for careful speech.

Guarding the Heart
Since gossip penetrates deeply, Christians are called to guard their hearts and minds, ensuring that what they consume and share aligns with godly principles.

Promoting Edifying Speech
Instead of gossiping, believers should focus on speech that builds up and encourages others, reflecting the love and truth of Christ.

Accountability in Community
Within the Christian community, there should be accountability and encouragement to speak truthfully and lovingly, avoiding the pitfalls of gossip.(8) The words of a talebearer are as wounds.--Or, more probably, "as dainty morsels" that are eagerly swallowed, and "go down into the innermost parts of the belly," i.e., are treasured up in the deepest recesses of the heart, to be remembered and brought out again when an opportunity for employing them occurs.

Verse 8. - The words of a tale bearer are as wounds. Nergan, "tale bearer," is better rendered "whisperer" (see on Proverbs 16:28). The Authorized Version reminds one of the mediaeval jingle -

"Lingua susurronis
Est pejor felle draconis."
The verse recurs in Proverbs 26:22; but the word rendered "wounds" (mitlahamim) is to be differently explained. It is probably the hithp. participle of laham," to swallow," and seems to mean "dainty morsels," such as one eagerly swallows. Thus Gesenius, Schultens, Delitzsch, Nowack, and others. So the clause means, "A whisperer's words are received with avidity; calumny, slander, and evil stories find eager listeners." The same metaphor is found in Proverbs 19:28; Job 34:7. There may, at the same time, be involved the idea that these dainty morsels are of poisonous character. Vulgate, Verba bilinguis, quasi simplicia, "The words of a man of double tongue seem to be simple," which contains another truth. They go down into the innermost parts of the belly (Proverbs 20:27, 30). The hearers take in the slanders and treasure them up in memory, to be used as occasion shall offer. The LXX. omits this verse, and in its place introduces a paragraph founded partly on the next verse and partly on Proverbs 19:15. The Vulgate also inserts the interpolation, "Fear overthrows the sluggish; and the souls of the effeminate (ἀνδρογύνων) shall hunger."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A gossip’s
נִ֭רְגָּן (nir·gān)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5372: Talebearer, whisperer

words
דִּבְרֵ֣י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

are like choice morsels,
כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים (kə·miṯ·la·hă·mîm)
Preposition-k | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3859: To burn in, to rankle

and they
וְ֝הֵ֗ם (wə·hêm)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

sink
יָרְד֥וּ (yā·rə·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

into the inmost being.
חַדְרֵי־ (ḥaḏ·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2315: A chamber, room


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like (Prov. Pro Pr)
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