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

11Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. 12It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. 14Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. 15There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

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 goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.
• Leviticus 19:16“Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 25:9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.
• Proverbs 26:20Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
• Nehemiah 6:17During those fifty-two days, many letters went back and forth between Tobiah and the nobles of Judah.
• Proverbs 14:5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
• Joshua 2:14“We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety,” the men agreed. “If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the Lord gives us the land.”
• Jeremiah 38:27Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the king’s officials came to Jeremiah and asked him why the king had called for him. But Jeremiah followed the king’s instructions, and they left without finding out the truth. No one had overheard the conversation between Jeremiah and 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