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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

Context of Proverbs 11:13

11Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 12Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. 14For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. 15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

Proverbs 11:13 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• A talebearerרָכִילrâkîyl · slanderH7400
• A talebearerהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
• revealethגָּלָהgâlâh · to reveal: revealH1540
• secretsסוֹדsôd · counselH5475
• but he that is of a faithfulאָמַן'âman · be faithfulH539
• spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
• concealethכָּסָהkâsâh · to coverH3680
• the matterדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697

Cross-references for Proverbs 11:13

• Proverbs 20:19A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
• Leviticus 19:16“ ‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. “ ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 25:9If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
• Proverbs 26:20Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
• Nehemiah 6:17Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them.
• Proverbs 14:5An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.
• Joshua 2:14“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.”
• Jeremiah 38:27All the officials did come to Jeremiah and question him, and he told them everything the king had ordered him to say. So they said no more to him, for no one had heard his conversation with the king.

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