AS A TALEBEARER

Talebearing was specifically forbidden in the Law, Lev. 19. 16, and something that the reader of Proverbs is frequently warned against.

The talebearer described: Within today’s verses two different Hebrew words are translated ‘talebearer’. In chapter 20 verse 19, the word means literally ‘a slanderer’, one who spreads false information about a person, while the word used in chapter 26 denotes ‘a whisperer’ or ‘a murmurer’, not necessarily spread­ing what is false but possibly speaking what is truth, but speech that is intended to harm another’s reputation and standing before men. Both words denote one who speaks of others with malicious intent. He is further to be identified with the ‘conten­tious man’, who causes division and disputes, who delights in what is derogatory and damaging, 26. 21. Such a man is not to be listened to, nor encouraged, but, instead, he should be firmly withstood, Prov. 20. 19; Ps. 101. 5.

The talebearer is deceitful: This man cannot be trusted with a confidence or any personal details. He gathers information by flattery, giving the impression that he is taking his neighbour into his confidence, when his sole intention is to gather fresh material to use in gossip to the next person he meets, 20. 19. To this man, scandal and indiscretions are like meat and drink. His true character is revealed in the telling contrast between the tale­bearer and ‘he that is of a faithful spirit’, and who ‘concealeth the matter’, Prov. 11. 13. Which would you rather be in the hands of, he that ‘revealeth secrets’ or one of ‘a faithful spirit’? Which one would you rather be called?

The talebearer is divisive: One who causes nothing but trouble, Prov. 26. 20, 21. Fire will quickly burn itself out without any wood to nourish it, as will strife if there is none to actively inflame it with the spreading of fresh rumours or the recalling of past fail­ures. The talebearer seeks to rekindle ill-will that it might burn even hotter, and usually there is no shortage of people to listen, as we saw yesterday, cf. 26. 22; 18. 8. Let’s guard our lips, not gos­sip, and if we cannot speak well of another then determine to say nothing about him, Jas. 4. 11.