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

6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10The name of Yhwh is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:8 word by word

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

• 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 12:18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
• Proverbs 16:28A perverse man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
• Proverbs 26:20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
• Leviticus 19:16Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am Yhwh.
• Psalms 52:2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
• Psalms 64:3Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

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