7400. rakil

Lexicon

rakil: Talebearer, Slanderer, Gossip

Original Word: רָכִיל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: rakiyl
Pronunciation: rah-KEEL
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-keel')
Definition: Talebearer, Slanderer, Gossip
Meaning: a scandal-monger

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

slander, carry tales, talebearer

From rakal a scandal-monger (as travelling about) -- slander, carry tales, talebearer.

see HEBREW rakal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from rakal
Definition
slander
NASB Translation
slanderer (3), slanderous (1), talebearer (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

רָכִיל noun [masculine] slander, > tale-bearer, in-former; — always ׳ר absolute; — יַהֲלֹךְ ׳ר Jeremiah 9:3, ׳תֵּלֵךְ ר Leviticus 9:16 (H), ׳הוֺלֵךְ ר Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 20:19, all of going about in slander, as slander (Ges^{§ 118q}); ׳הֹלְבֵי ר Jeremiah 6:28 goers of slander (slanderous persons) (compare הָלַךְ); ׳אַנְשֵׁי ר Ezekiel 22:9 men of slander, informers.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root רָכַל (rakal), which means "to go about" or "to trade."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The Greek equivalent of רָכִיל in the New Testament is found in Strong's Greek Number G1388, διάβολος (diabolos), which means "slanderer" or "accuser." This term is used to describe the devil, who is seen as the ultimate accuser and slanderer, as well as individuals who engage in similar behavior. For example, in 1 Timothy 3:11, it is advised that women "must likewise be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things."

The biblical perspective on רָכִיל emphasizes the importance of speech that builds up rather than tears down, advocating for a community grounded in truth and love.

Usage: The term רָכִיל is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe individuals who engage in spreading harmful or deceitful information about others. It is often associated with negative behavior that disrupts community harmony and trust.

Context: • The term רָכִיל appears in several Old Testament passages, highlighting the destructive nature of gossip and slander. In Leviticus 19:16, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people." This injunction underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and truthfulness within the community.
• Proverbs 11:13 states, "A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence." This proverb contrasts the behavior of a רָכִיל with that of a faithful individual, emphasizing the value of discretion and loyalty.
• Ezekiel 22:9 further condemns the practice, "Among you are slanderers who are bent on shedding blood; among you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts." Here, the רָכִיל is associated with other sinful behaviors, illustrating the moral decay that accompanies such actions.
• The role of a רָכִיל is consistently portrayed as harmful, leading to discord and division. The biblical texts encourage the community to reject such behavior and to foster an environment of trust and respect.

Forms and Transliterations

רָ֭כִיל רָכִ֑יל רָכִ֖יל רָכִ֛יל רָכִ֥יל רָכִיל֙ רכיל rā·ḵîl raChil rāḵîl

Englishman's Concordance

Leviticus 19:16
HEB: לֹא־ תֵלֵ֤ךְ רָכִיל֙ בְּעַמֶּ֔יךָ לֹ֥א
NAS: You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people,
KJV: Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people:
INT: shall not go A slanderer your people are not

Proverbs 11:13
HEB: הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָ֭כִיל מְגַלֶּה־ סּ֑וֹד
NAS: He who goes about as a talebearer reveals
INT: goes A talebearer reveals secrets

Proverbs 20:19
HEB: סּ֭וֹד הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָכִ֑יל וּלְפֹתֶ֥ה שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו
NAS: He who goes about as a slanderer reveals
KJV: He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth
INT: secrets goes A slanderer flattereth his lips

Jeremiah 6:28
HEB: סֽוֹרְרִ֔ים הֹלְכֵ֥י רָכִ֖יל נְחֹ֣שֶׁת וּבַרְזֶ֑ל
NAS: Going about as a talebearer. [They are] bronze
KJV: walking with slanders: [they are] brass
INT: are stubbornly Going A talebearer bronze and iron

Jeremiah 9:4
HEB: וְכָל־ רֵ֖עַ רָכִ֥יל יַהֲלֹֽךְ׃
NAS: neighbor goes about as a slanderer.
KJV: will walk with slanders.
INT: and every neighbor A slanderer goes

Ezekiel 22:9
HEB: אַנְשֵׁ֥י רָכִ֛יל הָ֥יוּ בָ֖ךְ
NAS: Slanderous men have been
KJV: In thee are men that carry tales to shed
INT: are men Slanderous have been the purpose

6 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7400
6 Occurrences

rā·ḵîl — 6 Occ.