Lexical Summary laham: To fight, to do battle, to wage war Original Word: לָהַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wound A primitive root; properly, to burn in, i.e. (figuratively) to rankle -- wound. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to swallow greedily NASB Translation dainty morsels (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [לָהַם] verb swallow greedily (= Arabic  ; DiLex, Ethiopic 25 compare Ethiopic  ox, cow); — only Hithpa`el Participle מִתְלַהֲמִים Proverbs 18:8 i.e. bits greedily swallowed, dainties, = Proverbs 26:22, simile of tale-bearer's words. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Immediate Context לָהַם appears twice in the Hebrew canon, both times in the parallel sayings of Proverbs 18:8 and Proverbs 26:22. Each verse observes: “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts” (Berean Standard Bible). In both settings the verb depicts the silent, inward swallowing of rumor or slander, highlighting the ease with which destructive speech sinks beneath the surface of one’s life. Imagery of Consumption Ancient Near Eastern readers readily connected eating imagery with moral intake. The verb pictures gossip as dainty delicacies effortlessly ingested, suggesting pleasure in receiving information that should have been refused. Yet these “choice morsels” lodge deep within, showing that sin often masquerades as delight while planting harm in the depths of the soul (compare Psalms 101:5). Ethical Dimensions in Wisdom Literature Proverbs consistently contrasts speech that heals (Proverbs 10:11; Proverbs 12:18) with talk that wounds. By employing לָהַם, Solomon’s collection warns that ungodly words do not merely pass through the listener; they lodge, influence attitudes, and may later resurface as further sin. The repetition of the proverb (18:8; 26:22) underscores its gravity and ensures that the lesson reaches hearers in both the first major collection (chapters 10–24) and the later Hezekian compilation (chapters 25–29). Historical and Cultural Background Honor-shame societies placed immense value on reputation. Gossip threatened family standing, covenant community cohesion, and judicial fairness. The concise Hebrew verb mirrors the quiet, almost unnoticed way shame could be “swallowed” by a village through whispered stories, eventually manifesting in fractured relationships or economic loss. Theological Insights 1. Sin’s subtlety: לָהַם illustrates how evil often gains entrance under the guise of harmless pleasure. Relation to New Testament Teaching Paul commands, “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29), echoing Proverbs’ concern that speech can nourish or poison. Peter likewise warns against slander (1 Peter 2:1). The metaphorical digestion that לָהַם portrays finds fulfillment in Christ’s call to internal purity (Matthew 5:8) and in the Church’s mandate to “encourage one another” (Hebrews 3:13). Church and Ministry Implications • Pastoral oversight must address hidden channels where rumors are “swallowed.” Personal Application Believers examine what is heard as carefully as what is spoken. Memorizing Proverbs 18:8 and praying Psalm 19:14 guard both intake and output. When tempted to savor illicit information, disciples recall that the sweetness of gossip conceals bitterness (Proverbs 20:17) and instead “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). Summary לָהַם, though rare, delivers a lasting caution: gossip, once swallowed, permeates the heart. Wisdom rejects such morsels, choosing instead speech that accords with truth and fosters life within the covenant community. Forms and Transliterations כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים כמתלהמים kə·miṯ·la·hă·mîm kemitlahaMim kəmiṯlahămîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 18:8 HEB: דִּבְרֵ֣י נִ֭רְגָּן כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים וְ֝הֵ֗ם יָרְד֥וּ NAS: of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down KJV: of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down INT: the words of a talebearer dainty and they go Proverbs 26:22 2 Occurrences |
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