5587. psithurismos

Lexicon

psithurismos: Whispering, gossip, secret slander

Original Word: ψιθυρισμός
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: psithurismos
Pronunciation: psith-oo-ris-MOS
Phonetic Spelling: (psith-oo-ris-mos')
Definition: Whispering, gossip, secret slander
Meaning: a whispering, secret slandering.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

whispering.

From a derivative of psithos (a whisper; by implication, a slander; probably akin to pseudomai); whispering, i.e. Secret detraction -- whispering.

see GREEK pseudomai

HELPS Word-studies

5587 psithyrismós (from psithos, "whisper") – properly, a whispering to "quietly" spread malicious gossip; "whispering" that launches "secret attacks on a person's character" (Souter).

[5587 (psithyrismós) is "an onomatopoetic word for the sibilant murmur of a snake charmer (Ecc 10:11)" (WP at 2 Cor 12:20).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from psithurizó (to whisper)
Definition
a whispering
NASB Translation
gossip (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5587: ψιθυρισμός

ψιθυρισμός, ψιθυρισμου, ὁ (ψιθυρίζω, to whisper, speak into one's ear), a whispering, i. e. secret slandering, (Vulg.susurratio, German Ohrenbläserei): joined with καταλαλιά (cf. Romans 1:29(30)), 2 Corinthians 12:20; Clement of Rome, 30, 3 [ET]; 35, 5 [ET]. (Plutarch; the Sept. for לַחַשׁ, of the magical murmuring of a charmer of snakes, Ecclesiastes 10:11.)

Topical Lexicon

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 for ψιθυρισμός, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words related to gossip and slander, such as:

- רָכִיל (rakil) • often translated as "slanderer" or "talebearer" (Strong's Hebrew 7400).
- לָשׁוֹן (lashon) • meaning "tongue," used in contexts of slander or malicious speech (Strong's Hebrew 3956).

These Hebrew terms reflect the biblical emphasis on the dangers of harmful speech and the importance of maintaining integrity in communication.

Usage: The word ψιθυρισμός is used in the New Testament to describe the act of whispering or gossiping, particularly in a negative context. It is associated with secretive and potentially harmful speech.

Context: In the New Testament, ψιθυρισμός appears in Romans 1:29, where it is listed among various sins and vices that characterize those who have turned away from God. The verse reads: "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" (Romans 1:29, BSB). Here, ψιθυρισμός is translated as "gossips," highlighting the destructive nature of secretive and malicious speech.

The use of ψιθυρισμός in this context underscores the moral and ethical concerns surrounding gossip and slander within the early Christian community. It serves as a warning against engaging in behavior that can harm relationships and disrupt the unity of the church. The act of whispering or gossiping is portrayed as a serious offense, akin to other forms of wickedness and moral corruption.

In a broader biblical context, the concept of gossip and slander is consistently condemned. The Old Testament also speaks against such behavior, emphasizing the importance of truthful and edifying speech. The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to avoid idle talk and to speak in ways that build up rather than tear down.

Forms and Transliterations

ψιθυρισμοι ψιθυρισμοί ψιθυρισμώ psithurismoi psithyrismoi psithyrismoí

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 12:20 N-NMP
GRK: ἐριθείαι καταλαλιαί ψιθυρισμοί φυσιώσεις ἀκαταστασίαι
NAS: slanders, gossip, arrogance,
KJV: backbitings, whisperings, swellings,
INT: contentions slander gossip conceit disorder

Strong's Greek 5587
1 Occurrence

ψιθυρισμοί — 1 Occ.