God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 18:8
8The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
Context of Proverbs 18:8
6By talking, a fool gets into an argument, and his mouth invites a beating. 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin. His lips are a trap to his soul. The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being. 9Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal. 10The name of the Lord is a strong tower. A righteous person runs to 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 12:18Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.
- Proverbs 16:28A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends.
- Proverbs 26:20Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down.
- Leviticus 19:16Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue makes up threats. It’s like a sharp razor, you master of deceit.
- Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like swords. They 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries