Strong's Lexicon psithuristés: Whisperer, Gossip Original Word: ψιθυριστής Word Origin: Derived from the verb ψιθυρίζω (psithurizō), meaning "to whisper" or "to speak softly." 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, H7400), meaning "slanderer" or "talebearer," as seen in Proverbs 11:13 and Leviticus 19:16. Usage: The term "psithuristés" refers to a person who engages in secretive or malicious whispering, often spreading rumors or gossip. In the New Testament, it is used to describe individuals who cause division and strife within a community by speaking ill of others behind their backs. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, as in many cultures, gossip and slander were seen as destructive behaviors that could undermine social harmony and trust. Whispering, in particular, was associated with deceit and cowardice, as it involved speaking in secret rather than addressing issues openly. The early Christian communities, striving for unity and love, would have viewed such behavior as contrary to the teachings of Christ. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5588 psithyristḗs – properly, a whisperer; a sneaky gossip (a "back-stabber"); a backbiter, quietly (secretly) destroying another person's character – i.e. covertly, not out in the open, but rather operating "in a corner." See 5587 (psithyrismos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as psithurismos Definition a whisperer NASB Translation gossips (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5588: ψιθυριστήςψιθυριστής, ψιθυριστου, ὁ (see the preceding word), a whisperer, secret slanderer, detractor (German Ohrenbläser): Romans 1:29 (30). (At Athens an epithet of Hermes, Demosthenes, p. 1358, 6; also of ὁ ἔρως and Aphrodite, Suidas, p. 3957 c.; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 24).) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance whisperer. From the same as psithurismos; a secret calumniator -- whisperer. see GREEK psithurismos Forms and Transliterations ψιθυριστας ψιθυριστάς ψιλήν psithuristas psithyristas psithyristásLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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