Proverbs 18:8

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

6The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. 7The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person’s innermost being. 9The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys. 10The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.

Proverbs 18:8 word by word

דִּבְרֵ֣י נִ֭רְגָּן כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים וְ֝הֵ֗ם יָרְד֥וּ חַדְרֵי־בָֽטֶן׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• of a talebearerנִרְגָּןnirgân · whispererH5372
• as woundsלָהַםlâham · to swallowH3859
• and they go downיָרַדyârad · to go downH3381
• into the innermost partsחֶ֫דֶרcheder · chamberH2315
• of the bellyבֶּ֫טֶןbeţen · belly: bodyH990

Cross-references for Proverbs 18:8

• Proverbs 12:18Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.
• Proverbs 16:28A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends.
• Proverbs 26:20Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
• Leviticus 19:16You must not go about as a slanderer among your people. You must not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord.
• Psalms 52:2Your tongue carries out your destructive plans; it is as effective as a sharp razor, O deceiver.
• Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like a sword; they aim their arrow, a slanderous charge,

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

• Slander
• Speaking
• Talebearer
• Words

In the dictionaries

• Belly
• Brother
• Contention
• Innermost
• Offend
• Slothful
• Snare
• Stick
• Waster
• Proverb

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