Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5760 Human attitudes and behaviour  »  5868 gossip

Idle talk which foolishly or maliciously spreads rumours or facts. The effects of gossiping are divisive and destructive.

Examples of gossiping

Nehemiah 6:5-8 False rumours were used to intimidate Nehemiah; Psalm 41:5-8; John 7:12-13; 3Jn 9-10

Dangers of talking too much

Proverbs 10:19 See also Proverbs 18:6-7; Proverbs 21:23; Proverbs 29:11; Ecclesiastes 5:2-3; Matthew 12:36-37

Gossip can result from idleness

1 Timothy 5:13

Gossip has disastrous effects

Proverbs 16:28 See also Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 17:9; Proverbs 25:9-10; Proverbs 26:20

Gossiping condemned and forbidden

Leviticus 19:16 See also Exodus 23:1; Psalm 101:5; Proverbs 10:18; Romans 1:29-30; 2 Corinthians 12:20

Advice on avoiding gossip

Psalm 141:3 See also Proverbs 20:19

See also

5193  tongue
5343  idleness
5510  rumours
5546  speech
5575  talk, idle
5951  slander
8452  neighbours, duty to
8815  ridicule
8828  spite
8830  suspicion