Proverbs 26:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The words {H1697} of a talebearer {H5372} are as wounds {H3859}, and they go down {H3381} into the innermost parts {H2315} of the belly {H990}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A slanderer's words are tasty morsels; they slide right down into the belly.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 26:22 issues a stark warning about the insidious and destructive nature of gossip and slander, likening the words of a talebearer to deep, penetrating wounds. Far from being superficial, these malicious or careless words inflict profound, internal damage that reaches the very core of a person's being, causing lasting pain and eroding trust within individuals and communities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 26 is part of a larger collection of Solomon's proverbs copied by the men of Hezekiah (Proverbs 25-29). This section frequently contrasts the wise and the foolish, highlighting the consequences of various behaviors, especially concerning speech. Verses immediately preceding and following Proverbs 26:22 often deal with themes of deception, folly, and the dangers of uncontrolled words. For instance, [Proverbs 26:20](/proverbs/26-20 "Proverbs 26:20 - The Absence of Gossip") speaks of strife ceasing when gossip ends, and [Proverbs 26:23](/proverbs/26-23 "Proverbs 26:23 - Deceptive Words") warns against fervent lips and a wicked heart. This placement emphasizes that talebearing is a significant source of social discord and personal harm, an act of folly that undermines wisdom and righteousness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, honor, reputation, and community cohesion were paramount. A person's standing within the community was intrinsically linked to their public image and the perception of their character. Therefore, the spreading of rumors, secrets, or false accusations (talebearing) was not merely a social faux pas but a deeply destructive act that could ruin a person's livelihood, social standing, and even their family's reputation. The close-knit nature of ancient communities meant that words carried immense weight and could travel quickly, making the damage inflicted by slander particularly pervasive and difficult to undo. The proverb reflects a society where the spoken word had tangible, far-reaching consequences.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the book of Proverbs and broader wisdom literature. It vividly illustrates **the immense power of the tongue**, emphasizing that words are not ephemeral but potent forces capable of building up or tearing down, as seen in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Power of Life and Death in the Tongue"). It also underscores the theme of **internal versus external reality**, revealing that while a talebearer's words may seem trivial or even entertaining on the surface, their true impact is deeply internal and profoundly damaging. Furthermore, the verse highlights the importance of **discretion and integrity in speech**, a recurring motif throughout the wisdom tradition that calls believers to speak truth and wisdom rather than folly and deceit, aligning with the counsel found in [Proverbs 4:24](/proverbs/4-24 "Proverbs 4:24 - Guarding Your Mouth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **talebearer (Hebrew, _nirgân'_):** From an unused root meaning "to roll to pieces," this term refers to a slanderer, a whisperer, or one who causes strife through secret communication. It denotes someone who secretly spreads malicious or damaging information, often with the intent to undermine another person's reputation or sow discord. The imagery of "rolling to pieces" powerfully conveys the destructive fragmentation caused by such speech.
* **wounds (Hebrew, _lâham'_):** This word, derived from a primitive root meaning "to burn in," figuratively describes something that rankles or causes deep, persistent pain. It signifies not just a superficial cut, but an injury that penetrates and festers, causing ongoing distress and internal inflammation. The comparison suggests that the words of a talebearer inflict a type of harm that is not easily healed and continues to cause suffering.
* **innermost parts (Hebrew, _cheder'_):** Literally meaning "an apartment" or "chamber," this term refers to the deepest, most private, and intimate recesses of a dwelling or, in this context, of a person's being. It emphasizes that the damage caused by talebearing is not superficial or external, but reaches into the core of one's emotional, psychological, and spiritual self, affecting one's identity and sense of security.
* **belly (Hebrew, _beṭen'_):** While literally referring to the physical abdomen or womb, in ancient Hebrew thought, the "belly" often symbolized the seat of one's emotions, thoughts, and deepest affections, similar to the "heart." Thus, "innermost parts of the belly" signifies the most profound and vulnerable aspects of a person's inner life, where pain is felt most acutely and healing is most challenging.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The words of a talebearer are as wounds":** This clause establishes a vivid **simile**, directly comparing the spoken words of a slanderer or gossip to physical injuries. It immediately conveys the painful and damaging nature of such communication, suggesting that words, though intangible, can inflict harm as real and severe as a physical blow. The choice of "wounds" implies not merely superficial hurt, but deep, potentially festering injuries.
* **"and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly":** This second clause intensifies the imagery, describing the profound depth of the harm inflicted. "Go down" emphasizes penetration, while "innermost parts of the belly" metaphorically points to the deepest, most vulnerable core of a person's emotional and spiritual being. This suggests that the pain caused by talebearing is not external or easily dismissed but infiltrates one's very identity, leading to profound and lasting emotional, psychological, and relational damage.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 26:22 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Simile**, directly comparing "the words of a talebearer" to "wounds" using the explicit connector "as." This comparison immediately evokes a visceral sense of pain and damage, making the abstract concept of harmful words concrete and tangible. Following this, the proverb uses potent **Imagery** of penetration and depth ("go down into the innermost parts of the belly"). This imagery emphasizes that the harm is not superficial but reaches the very core of a person's being, affecting their emotions, spirit, and sense of self. It suggests a wound that festers internally, difficult to detect but profoundly debilitating. The proverb also contains an element of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the depth of the wound to stress the extreme and lasting impact of slander, ensuring the reader grasps the severity of the warning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb resonates deeply with biblical theology concerning the power of speech, the sanctity of human dignity, and the importance of community. It underscores that words are not morally neutral; they carry immense power to either build up or tear down, to bless or to curse. Theologically, talebearing is a sin against one's neighbor, violating the spirit of the command to love one's neighbor as oneself ([Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor")). It is a manifestation of a heart that lacks love, truth, and self-control, and it directly opposes the character of God, who is truth and light. The proverb also highlights the interconnectedness of individuals within a community, showing how one person's careless words can inflict widespread and deep-seated harm on others, disrupting peace and fostering division.

* [Proverbs 18:8](/proverbs/18-8 "Proverbs 18:8 - Words as Dainty Morsels")
* [Psalm 140:3](/psalm/140-3 "Psalm 140:3 - The Serpent's Tongue")
* [James 3:5-6](/james/3-5 "James 3:5-6 - The Destructive Power of the Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 26:22 serves as a timeless and urgent warning for all who seek to live wisely and righteously. In an age dominated by instant communication, social media, and the rapid spread of information, the words of a talebearer can inflict damage at an unprecedented scale and speed. This proverb calls us to profound self-awareness regarding our speech, urging us to consider the potential for our words to wound rather than to heal. It challenges us not only to guard our own tongues from gossip and slander but also to refuse to be eager listeners to those who engage in it. True wisdom demands that we cultivate a heart that values truth, protects reputation, and seeks to build up others, fostering environments of trust, respect, and grace. We are called to be agents of reconciliation and truth, recognizing that every word we utter carries spiritual weight and has the power to shape lives, for good or for ill.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How often do I engage in conversations that could be considered "talebearing," either by speaking or by listening?**
* **What steps can I take to guard my tongue and my ears from participating in gossip and slander?**
* **How does this proverb challenge my understanding of the power and responsibility of my words in daily interactions and online?**
* **If I have been wounded by the words of others, how can I seek healing and extend forgiveness? If I have wounded others, how can I seek reconciliation?**

### FAQ

**What exactly is a "talebearer" according to this proverb?**

Answer: According to Proverbs 26:22, a "talebearer" (Hebrew: _nirgân_) is someone who spreads secrets, rumors, or malicious information, often in a whisper or covert manner, with the intent to cause strife, damage reputations, or simply to entertain themselves or others. They are essentially slanderers or whisperers who undermine trust and sow discord within relationships and communities. The proverb warns against both being such a person and giving audience to their words, as both actions contribute to the destructive cycle of gossip.

**Why are the words of a talebearer compared to "wounds" that go "into the innermost parts of the belly"?**

Answer: This vivid imagery emphasizes the profound and internal damage caused by gossip and slander. Unlike superficial hurts, the "wounds" inflicted by a talebearer's words are deep and insidious, penetrating beyond the surface to the very core of a person's emotional, psychological, and spiritual being. The "innermost parts of the belly" (Hebrew: _cheder beṭen_) metaphorically represent the most vulnerable and intimate aspects of one's identity and feelings. This comparison highlights that the pain is not easily seen or healed; it festers internally, leading to deep-seated anguish, broken trust, and lasting emotional scars, far more damaging than a physical injury.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 26:22, with its stark warning against the destructive power of the talebearer's words, finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Jesus Christ. While the proverb identifies the symptom of a fallen world—words that wound and divide—Christ addresses the root cause: the sinful heart from which such words flow. Jesus taught that "what comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness" ([Mark 7:20-22](/mark/7-20 "Mark 7:20-22 - What Defiles a Person")). He Himself was the ultimate target of slander and false witness, yet He responded with truth and grace, demonstrating the perfect antidote to the talebearer's poison. In His life, Jesus perfectly embodied truth and love, never engaging in gossip or slander, but always speaking words that brought life, healing, and reconciliation. His atoning sacrifice on the cross not only provides forgiveness for the sin of talebearing but also offers a new heart, transformed by the Holy Spirit, from which words of grace and truth can flow ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Building Up with Words")). Through Christ, believers are empowered to put off the old self, characterized by "filthy language" and "slander," and to put on the new self, speaking truth in love ([Colossians 3:8-10](/colossians/3-8 "Colossians 3:8-10 - Put Off the Old Self")). He is the ultimate healer of the "wounds" inflicted by words, offering comfort and restoration to those who have been hurt, and calling those who have wounded to repentance and reconciliation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 18:8

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

Proverbs 20:19

¶ He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Ezekiel 22:9

In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness.