In biblical terms, a "slanderer" is someone who makes false and damaging statements about another person. The act of slander is considered a serious sin in the Bible, as it not only harms the reputation of the individual being spoken about but also disrupts the unity and harmony within the community of believers. The Bible frequently warns against slander and highlights its destructive nature.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains several admonitions against slander. In the book of Leviticus, God commands His people, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:16). This verse underscores the seriousness of slander by linking it to the endangerment of life, emphasizing the potential harm that false words can cause.

The Psalms also address the issue of slander. Psalm 101:5 states, "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure" . Here, slander is associated with pride and arrogance, and God expresses His intent to silence those who engage in such behavior.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, slander is similarly condemned. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently lists slander among other sins that are incompatible with a life led by the Spirit. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul instructs believers, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice" . This verse places slander alongside other destructive behaviors that believers are to abandon.

The Apostle Peter also warns against slander in his epistles. In 1 Peter 2:1, he writes, "Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" . Peter's exhortation is part of a broader call to live holy lives, free from the sins that corrupt and divide the community.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, slander is not merely a social or ethical issue but a spiritual one. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's truth and love. Slander is often rooted in deeper sins such as envy, pride, and malice, which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. The act of slandering others is a violation of the command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39).

Practical Considerations

For Christians, the call to avoid slander is part of the broader mandate to speak truthfully and lovingly. James 4:11 advises, "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it" . This instruction highlights the importance of maintaining integrity in speech and the need to uphold the dignity of others.

In practical terms, believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of humility and grace, seeking to build others up rather than tear them down. The avoidance of slander is part of the Christian witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in the life of the believer.(n.) One who slanders; a defamer; a calumniator.1228. diabolos -- slanderous, accusing falsely
... accusing falsely. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: diabolos Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ab'-ol-os) Short Definition: slanderous, the Slanderer, the Devil ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1228.htm - 8k

2637. katalalos -- a defamer
... backbiter, slanderer. From kata and the base of laleo; talkative against, ie
A slanderer -- backbiter. see GREEK kata. see GREEK laleo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2637.htm - 6k

5588. psithuristes -- a whisperer
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: psithuristes Phonetic Spelling:
(psith-oo-ris-tace') Short Definition: a whisperer, secret slanderer Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5588.htm - 6k

1225. diaballo -- to bring charges (usually with hostile intent)
... is true. 1228 ('slanderer') is this same root and it is used even of women,
'she-devils' (1 Tim 3:11)" (, 2, 215). Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1225.htm - 7k

7400. rakil -- slander
... 7399, 7400. rakil. 7401 . slander. Transliteration: rakil Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-keel') Short Definition: slanderer. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/7400.htm - 6k

5372. nirgan -- talebearer, whisperer
... Word Origin the same as ragan, qv. talebearer, whisperer From an unused root meaning
to roll to pieces; a slanderer -- talebearer, whisperer. 5371, 5372. ...
/hebrew/5372.htm - 5k

7279. ragan -- to murmur, whisper
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to murmur, whisper NASB Word Usage criticize
(1), grumbled (2), slanderer (1), whisperer (3). murmur. ...
/hebrew/7279.htm - 5k

3956. lashon -- tongue
... Origin from an unused word Definition tongue NASB Word Usage bar (2), bark* (1),
bay (3), charmer* (1), language (14), languages (2), slanderer* (1), speech (1 ...
/hebrew/3956.htm - 6k

376. ish -- man
... 1), oppressor* (1), ordinary (1), own (1), people (3), person (5), persons (2),
prime (1), rank (1), respective (1), sailors* (1), slanderer* (1), soldiers (1 ...
/hebrew/376.htm - 7k

Petilianus Said: Over and Over Again He Reproaches the False ...
... Over and over again He reproaches the false speakers and liars in such terms as
these: Ye are the children of the devil, for he also was a slanderer from the ...
/.../chapter 13 29 petilianus.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... He is [Greek] (the slanderer); Satan, the spiteful adversary; the old snake or dragon,
hissing out lies, and spitting forth venom of calumnious accusation; the ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... This is a sin against the ninth commandment. The scorpion carries his poison
in his tail, the slanderer carries his poison in his tongue. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

This Commandment the Man Kept Not, but was Disobedient to God...
... disposition he apostatized and departed from God, he was called Satan, according
to the Hebrew word; that is, Apostate: [108] a but he is also called Slanderer ...
/.../chapter 16 this commandment the.htm

Letter cciii. To the Bishops of the Sea Coast.
... For what name can be properly applied to the slanderer [2731] except that which
he professes to bear by the very conduct of which he is guilty? ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cciii to the bishops.htm

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness.
... The word which our King James Version translates "devils" should be translated
"demons." The word "devil" means false accuser or slanderer, and the word in the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xix jesus tempted in the.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... concerning his neighbour's intentions otherwise than as they are evidently expressed
by words, or signified by overt actions, is a slanderer; because he ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

In Reference to Daniel My Answer Will be that I did not Say that ...
... Bel and the Dragon, which are not contained in the Hebrew Bible, the man who makes
this a charge against me proves himself to be a fool and a slanderer; for I ...
/.../33 in reference to daniel.htm

A Bundle of Proverbs
... The 'froward man' here seems to be the same as the slanderer in the next clause. ...
The slanderer works secretly; this mischief-maker goes the plain way to work. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a bundle of proverbs.htm

The Tongue.
... character: "the tongue can no man tame." You cannot arrest a calumnious tongue,
you cannot arrest the calumny itself; you may refute a slanderer, you may trace ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

Slanderer (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Slanderer (5 Occurrences). Leviticus 19:16 "'You
shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people. ...
/s/slanderer.htm - 7k

Slander (34 Occurrences)
... slan'-der (substantive, dibbah, "slander"; diabolos, "slanderer"; verb raghal,
"to slink about" as a talebearer, lashan, "to use the tongue," "to slander ...
/s/slander.htm - 21k

Slandered (8 Occurrences)

/s/slandered.htm - 8k

Wrote (74 Occurrences)
... 11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother
who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a ...
/w/wrote.htm - 30k

Immorality (38 Occurrences)
... 11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother
who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a ...
/i/immorality.htm - 18k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... 11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother
who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Idolater (2 Occurrences)
... 11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother
who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a ...
/i/idolater.htm - 7k

Endangers (1 Occurrence)
... Endangers (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 19:16 "'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer
among your people. "'You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. ...
/e/endangers.htm - 6k

Endanger (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:16 "'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people.
"'You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh. (WEB NIV). ...
/e/endanger.htm - 8k

Extortioner (3 Occurrences)
... 11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother
who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a ...
/e/extortioner.htm - 7k

What are the names of Satan? | GotQuestions.org

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Is the devil / Satan a person or a force / personification of evil? | GotQuestions.org

Slanderer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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