English Standard Version
Proverbs 18:8
8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Proverbs 18:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
- New International Version (NIV)The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
Context of Proverbs 18:8
6A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. 7A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. 9Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. 10The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:8 word by word
דִּבְרֵ֣י נִ֭רְגָּן כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים וְ֝הֵ֗ם יָרְד֥וּ חַדְרֵי־בָֽטֶן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:8
- Proverbs 12:18There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- Proverbs 16:28A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
- Proverbs 26:20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
- Leviticus 19:16You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
- Psalms 64:3who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8The words of a tale-bearer - נרגן דברי dibrey nirgan, "the words of the whisperer," the busy-body, the busy, meddling croaker. Verba bilinguis, "the words of the double-tongued." - Vulgate. The wordes of the twisel tunge - Old MS. Bible. "The words of a slanderer." - Coverdale. The words of a deceiver, the fair-spoken, deeply-malicious man, though they appear soft and gracious, are wounds deeply injurious. The original word is כמתלהמים kemithlahamim…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6-8Verses 6-8 The first verse speaks of the immediate, the others of the remote, results of the “fool‘s” temper. First, “contention,” then “strokes” or blows, then “destruction,” and last, “wounds.” Proverbs 18:8 Wounds - The word so rendered occurs here and in Proverbs 26:22 only. Others render it “dainties,” and take the verse to describe the avidity with which people swallow in tales of scandal. They find their way to the innermost recesses of man‘s…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 How base are those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be expected from small beginnings of jealousy!Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8Rumors can be tempting to listen to and share, but they are harmful. See a parallel passage in Proverbs 26:22Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. (Compare Pr 16:28). as wounds--not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow. innermost ... belly--the mind, or heart (compare Pr 20:27-30; Psa 22:14).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries