Proverbs 26:22
New International Version
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

New Living Translation
Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

English Standard Version
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Berean Standard Bible
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

King James Bible
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

New King James Version
The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

New American Standard Bible
The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

NASB 1995
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

NASB 1977
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

Legacy Standard Bible
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the stomach.

Amplified Bible
The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

Christian Standard Bible
A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.

American Standard Version
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

Contemporary English Version
There is nothing so delicious as the taste of gossip! It melts in your mouth.

English Revised Version
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.

Good News Translation
Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it!

International Standard Version
The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.

Majority Standard Bible
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

NET Bible
The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person's innermost being.

New Heart English Bible
The words of a gossip are as tasty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

Webster's Bible Translation
The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

World English Bible
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, "" And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.

Young's Literal Translation
The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
The words of a tale-bearer as dainty morsels, and they will go down to the chambers of the belly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The words of a whisperer seem simple, but they penetrate to the innermost parts of the self.

New American Bible
The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels: they sink into one’s inmost being.

New Revised Standard Version
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The words of the malicious stir up trouble; they go down into the innermost parts of the heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The words of the malicious stir up strife and they go down to the inner chambers of the heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
21Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. 23Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.…

Cross References
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Psalm 64:3-4
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, / ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Romans 1:29-30
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

1 Timothy 5:13
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

Leviticus 19:16
You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.

Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.

Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.

1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

Titus 3:2
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

Galatians 5:15
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Psalm 15:3
who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,


Treasury of Scripture

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

words

Proverbs 18:8
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

2 Samuel 20:9,10
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him…

Ezekiel 33:31
And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Jump to Previous
Belly Body Choice Dainty Delicious Evil Food Gossip Heart Inmost Inner Innermost Morsels Neighbour Parts Secretly Self-Inflicted Sweet Talebearer Tale-Bearer Whisperer Words Wounds
Jump to Next
Belly Body Choice Dainty Delicious Evil Food Gossip Heart Inmost Inner Innermost Morsels Neighbour Parts Secretly Self-Inflicted Sweet Talebearer Tale-Bearer Whisperer Words Wounds
Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














The words of a gossip
The Hebrew term for "gossip" here is "nirgan," which refers to a whisperer or a talebearer. In ancient Israelite society, as in many cultures, the act of gossiping was seen as a destructive force within the community. The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of gossip, as it can sow discord and damage reputations. From a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of using speech to build up rather than tear down. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

are like choice morsels
The imagery of "choice morsels" suggests something that is tempting and desirable. In Hebrew, the word "mitlahamim" conveys the idea of something delicious or dainty. This metaphor highlights the seductive nature of gossip; it can be enticing and hard to resist. However, just as consuming too many rich foods can lead to physical harm, indulging in gossip can lead to spiritual and relational damage. The allure of gossip is a test of character, challenging believers to exercise self-control and discernment.

they go down into the inmost being
The phrase "inmost being" translates from the Hebrew "cheder beten," which literally means "chambers of the belly." This expression signifies the deepest parts of a person, both physically and metaphorically. In biblical times, the "belly" or "heart" was often seen as the seat of emotions and thoughts. Thus, the verse suggests that gossip, once internalized, can affect one's inner life profoundly. It can shape attitudes, influence decisions, and even alter one's spiritual state. For Christians, this serves as a caution to guard their hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and to fill their minds with what is true, noble, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

(22) The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds.--See above on Proverbs 18:8.

Verse 22. - (See Proverbs 18:8, where the gnome occurs.) Septuagint, "The words of knaves (κερκώπων) are soft, but they strike to the secret chambers of the bowels."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The words
דִּבְרֵ֣י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of a gossip
נִ֭רְגָּן (nir·gān)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5372: Talebearer, whisperer

are like choice morsels
כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים (kə·miṯ·la·hă·mîm)
Preposition-k | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3859: To burn in, to rankle

that
וְ֝הֵ֗ם (wə·hêm)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

go down
יָרְד֥וּ (yā·rə·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to the inmost being.
חַדְרֵי־ (ḥaḏ·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2315: A chamber, room


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:21
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