5587. psithurismos
Strong's Lexicon
psithurismos: Whispering, gossip, secret slander

Original Word: ψιθυρισμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: psithurismos
Pronunciation: psith-oo-ris-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (psith-oo-ris-mos')
Definition: Whispering, gossip, secret slander
Meaning: a whispering, secret slandering.

Word Origin: Derived from the verb ψιθυρίζω (psithurizō), meaning "to whisper" or "to speak in a low voice."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent in Strong's Concordance, similar concepts can be found in words like רָכִיל (rakil), meaning "slander" or "gossip," as seen in Proverbs 20:19.

Usage: The term "psithurismos" refers to the act of whispering, often with a negative connotation of gossip or secretive slander. It implies speaking in hushed tones to spread rumors or to malign others without their knowledge. In the New Testament, it is used to describe behaviors that are divisive and destructive within a community.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, as in many cultures, whispering and gossip were seen as socially disruptive behaviors. Such actions could undermine trust and unity within a community or group. The early Christian communities, striving for unity and love, would have been particularly sensitive to the dangers of gossip and slander, which could lead to division and conflict.

HELPS Word-studies

5587 psithyrismós (from psithos, "whisper") – properly, a whispering to "quietly" spread malicious gossip; "whispering" that launches "secret attacks on a person's character" (Souter).

[5587 (psithyrismós) is "an onomatopoetic word for the sibilant murmur of a snake charmer (Ecc 10:11)" (WP at 2 Cor 12:20).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from psithurizó (to whisper)
Definition
a whispering
NASB Translation
gossip (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5587: ψιθυρισμός

ψιθυρισμός, ψιθυρισμου, (ψιθυρίζω, to whisper, speak into one's ear), a whispering, i. e. secret slandering, (Vulg.susurratio, German Ohrenbläserei): joined with καταλαλιά (cf. Romans 1:29(30)), 2 Corinthians 12:20; Clement of Rome, 30, 3 [ET]; 35, 5 [ET]. (Plutarch; the Sept. for לַחַשׁ, of the magical murmuring of a charmer of snakes, Ecclesiastes 10:11.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
whispering.

From a derivative of psithos (a whisper; by implication, a slander; probably akin to pseudomai); whispering, i.e. Secret detraction -- whispering.

see GREEK pseudomai

Forms and Transliterations
ψιθυρισμοι ψιθυρισμοί ψιθυρισμώ psithurismoi psithyrismoi psithyrismoí
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Corinthians 12:20 N-NMP
GRK: ἐριθείαι καταλαλιαί ψιθυρισμοί φυσιώσεις ἀκαταστασίαι
NAS: slanders, gossip, arrogance,
KJV: backbitings, whisperings, swellings,
INT: contentions slander gossip conceit disorder

Strong's Greek 5587
1 Occurrence


ψιθυρισμοί — 1 Occ.















5586
Top of Page
Top of Page