Proverbs 11:13

Proverbs 11:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
• New International Version (NIV)A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Context of Proverbs 11:13

11By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. 12He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 14Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. 15He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

Proverbs 11:13 word by word

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָ֭כִיל מְגַלֶּה־סּ֑וֹד וְנֶאֱמַן־ר֝֗וּחַ מְכַסֶּ֥ה דָבָֽר׃Read the interlinear

• who goesהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
• about as a talebearerרָכִילrâkîyl · slanderH7400
• revealsגָּלָהgâlâh · to reveal: revealH1540
• secretsסוֹדsôd · counselH5475
• trustworthyאָמַן'âman · be faithfulH539
• trustworthyרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• concealsכָּסָהkâsâh · to coverH3680
• a matterדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697

Cross-references for Proverbs 11:13

• Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
• Leviticus 19:16You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 25:9Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another,
• Proverbs 26:20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
• Nehemiah 6:17Also in those days many letters went from the nobles of Judah to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them.
• Proverbs 14:5A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.
• Joshua 2:14So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”
• Jeremiah 38:27Then all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him. So he reported to them in accordance with all these words which the king had commanded; and they ceased speaking with him, since the conversation had not been overheard.

Commentaries on Proverbs 11:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13A talebearer - רכיל הולך holech rachil, the walking busybody, the trader in scandal. Revealeth secrets - Whatever was confided to him he is sure to publish abroad. The word means a hawker, or travelling chapman. Such are always great newsmongers; and will tell even their own secrets, rather than have nothing to say.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13The man who comes to us with tales about others will reveal our secrets also. Faithfulness is shown, not only in doing what a man has been commissioned to do, but in doing it quietly and without garrulity.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13Verse 13 A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13This view on gossip is echoed in Proverbs 20:19.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. tale-bearer--(Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 11:13

• Friendship
• Gossip
• Prudence
• Speaking
• Talebearer

In the dictionaries

• Poetry
• Profit
• Pursue
• Scatter
• Secret
• Smart
• Suretiship
• Surety
• Void
• God

Commentaries on Proverbs 11

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings