A "talebearer" is a term used in the Bible to describe someone who engages in spreading gossip, rumors, or slander. This behavior is consistently condemned in Scripture, as it often leads to discord, strife, and the destruction of relationships within a community. The Hebrew word often translated as "talebearer" is "rakil," which conveys the idea of a peddler or trader of information, particularly of a harmful or deceitful nature.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 19:16 · "You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD."
This verse is part of the Holiness Code, which outlines ethical and moral conduct for the Israelites. It explicitly prohibits the act of spreading slander, highlighting the seriousness of such behavior in the eyes of God.

2. Proverbs 11:13 · "A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence."
Here, the contrast is drawn between a talebearer and a trustworthy individual. The talebearer is depicted as someone who cannot be trusted with confidential information, while a faithful person respects privacy and maintains integrity.

3. Proverbs 18:8 · "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the inmost being."
This proverb illustrates the enticing nature of gossip. It suggests that while gossip may seem appealing, it ultimately penetrates deeply, affecting the heart and soul of both the speaker and the listener.

4. Proverbs 20:19 · "He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips."
The advice here is to avoid those who cannot keep secrets, as their constant chatter can lead to trouble and division. The talebearer is portrayed as someone whose words are not to be trusted.

5. Proverbs 26:20 · "Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a conflict ceases."
This verse uses the metaphor of fire to describe how gossip fuels conflict. Just as a fire dies without wood, so does strife diminish when gossip is absent.

Moral and Ethical Implications:

The Bible's teachings on talebearing emphasize the importance of guarding one's tongue and being mindful of the impact of words. Talebearing is seen as a destructive force that can tear apart communities and relationships. It is often associated with deceit, betrayal, and a lack of love for one's neighbor.

The New Testament also addresses the issue of harmful speech. In Ephesians 4:29, believers are instructed, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This reinforces the call to use speech for edification rather than harm.

Practical Application:

Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of love, truth, and integrity in their communication. This involves refraining from gossip and slander, seeking to build others up rather than tear them down. The teachings on talebearing serve as a reminder of the power of words and the responsibility to use them wisely in accordance with God's will.(n.) One who officiously tells tales; one who impertinently or maliciously communicates intelligence, scandal, etc., and makes mischief.5372. nirgan -- talebearer, whisperer
... 5371, 5372. nirgan. 5373 . talebearer, whisperer. Transliteration: nirgan Phonetic
Spelling: (neer-gawn') Short Definition: talebearer. ... talebearer, whisperer ...
/hebrew/5372.htm - 5k

7400. rakil -- slander
... Word Origin from rakal Definition slander NASB Word Usage slanderer (3), slanderous
(1), talebearer (2). slander, carry tales, talebearer. ...
/hebrew/7400.htm - 6k

Concerning Peaceableness
... Among these we may rank talebearers (Leviticus 19:16). The talebearer carries
reports up and down. ... The talebearer is an incendiary. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/18 concerning peaceableness.htm

The Fourth Chapter: Prudence in Action
... Perfect men, however, do not readily believe every talebearer, because they know
that human frailty is prone to evil and is likely to appear in speech. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fourth chapter prudence in.htm

That Tale-Bearers are Accursed.
... In Ecclesiasticus, in Solomon: "The talebearer and the double-tongued is accursed;
for he will disturb many who have peace." [4614]. Footnotes: [4614] Ecclus. ...
/.../110 that tale-bearers are accursed.htm

Ninth Commandment
... The talebearer was taken aback, stammered out a qualification, or begged that no
notice might be taken of the statement. But the good lady was inexorable. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who ...
... And from that indignation he conceived grief and brought forth iniquity.[769] And
he became a talebearer among the peoples,[770] now disparaging secretly,[771 ...
/.../chapter vii he does battle.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... and then report what we hear. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer
among thy people' (Leviticus 19:16). A good man is one ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... "Thou shalt not," saith God in the Law, "go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy
people:" as a talebearer (as Rachil, that is), as a merchant or trader in ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... I am aware that a talebearer"a class of persons who do a great deal of harm"once
told her as a kindness that owing to her great fervour in virtue some ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

Talebearer (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Talebearer (8 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer
revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. ...
/t/talebearer.htm - 8k

Tale (7 Occurrences)
... In talebearer the word has another meaning, namely, "slanderous talk or gossip."
The word occurs 5 times in Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 18:8; Proverbs 20:19 ...
/t/tale.htm - 12k

Revealeth (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a
faithful spirit concealeth the matter. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/revealeth.htm - 8k

Wounds (57 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go
down into the innermost parts of the belly. (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/w/wounds.htm - 22k

Belly (62 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as
wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ...
/b/belly.htm - 28k

Neighbor's (31 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people;
neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. ...
/n/neighbor's.htm - 16k

Idly (4 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people:
neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am Jehovah. ...
/i/idly.htm - 7k

Flattereth (6 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth
secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. (KJV WBS). ...
/f/flattereth.htm - 7k

Tale-bearer (7 Occurrences)
Tale-bearer. Talebearer, Tale-bearer. Talebearers . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS YLT). Talebearer, Tale-bearer. Talebearers . Reference Bible.
/t/tale-bearer.htm - 8k

What does the Bible say about gossip? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to love your neighbor as you love yourself? | GotQuestions.org

Talebearer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus