Whisperer
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "whisperer" is often associated with those who engage in gossip, slander, or the spreading of rumors. The act of whispering in this context is not merely about speaking softly but carries a connotation of deceit and malice, often leading to discord and division among people.

Old Testament References

The concept of the whisperer is addressed in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Proverbs. Proverbs 16:28 states, "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends." Here, the whisperer is equated with a gossip, someone who sows discord and disrupts relationships. The whisperer's actions are seen as perverse, indicating a moral corruption that leads to the breakdown of community and trust.

Proverbs 18:8 further illustrates the impact of a whisperer's words: "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the inmost being." This verse highlights the insidious nature of gossip, suggesting that the words of a whisperer are not only enticing but also deeply penetrating, affecting the very core of an individual's being.

New Testament Context

While the specific term "whisperer" is not as prevalent in the New Testament, the underlying concept is addressed in various passages that warn against gossip and slander. Romans 1:29-30 includes whisperers in a list of those who are unrighteous: "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, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful." Here, whisperers are grouped with other sinful behaviors, emphasizing the severity of their actions in the eyes of God.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a biblical perspective, the whisperer is seen as a destructive force within the community. The act of whispering, or gossiping, is condemned because it undermines trust, fosters division, and can lead to the ruin of reputations and relationships. The Bible calls for believers to avoid such behavior and instead pursue truth, love, and unity.

The ethical teachings of the Bible encourage individuals to speak truthfully and to use their words to build up rather than tear down. Ephesians 4:29 advises, "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 directive stands in stark contrast to the actions of a whisperer, urging believers to be mindful of the power of their words.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical admonition against whispering calls for self-examination and a commitment to integrity in communication. Believers are encouraged to resist the temptation to engage in gossip and to confront whispering behavior within their communities. By fostering an environment of transparency and trust, individuals can help to prevent the harm that whisperers can cause.

The Bible's teachings on whisperers serve as a reminder of the importance of guarding one's speech and maintaining a spirit of love and unity within the body of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) One who whispers.

2. (n.) A tattler; one who tells secrets; a conveyer of intelligence secretly; hence; a backbiter; one who slanders secretly.

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

3873. Lochesh -- "whisperer," a leader in Isr.
... 3872, 3873. Lochesh. 3874 . "whisperer," a leader in Isr. ... Word Origin from lachash
Definition "whisperer," a leader in Isr. NASB Word Usage Hallohesh (2). ...
/hebrew/3873.htm - 6k

7279. ragan -- to murmur, whisper
... 7278, 7279. ragan. 7280 . to murmur, whisper. Transliteration: ragan Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-gan') Short Definition: whisperer. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7279.htm - 5k

Library

Whether Tale-Bearing is a Sin Distinct from Backbiting?
... Objection 2: Further, it is written (Lev.19:16): "Thou shalt not be an informer
[Douay: 'a detractor'] nor a tale-bearer [Douay: 'whisperer'] among the people ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether tale-bearing is a sin.htm

To the Reader. Christian Reader
... and equity of the Lord's dealing, even in his severest punishments inflicted upon
the children of men, as may silence every whisperer against providence, and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/to the reader christian reader.htm

The Second Epistle.
... out of the mouth. Cursed be the whisperer and doubled-tongued, for such have
troubled many that were at peace. A third (tertia) tongue ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/the second epistle 2.htm

Wisdom Brevities
... boasteth. * * *. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they
go down into the innermost parts of the belly. * * *. Boast ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/wisdom brevities.htm

On the Tongue
... out of thy mouth. Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: for he hath
destroyed many that were at peace. A third person's tongue ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv on the tongue.htm

Glossary
... Pincher. A covetous or stingy person. Ravishing. Ecstasy. Reckless. Indifferent.
Ronker. A whisperer. Ronner. A gossip or tale-bearer. Swink. To labour. Witting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/glossary.htm

Reference Table
... Proverbs XIV 4 Proverbs 75 He that is slow to anger Proverbs XVI 32 Proverbs 91
It is naught Proverbs XX 14 Proverbs 132 The words of a whisperer Proverbs XXVI ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/reference table.htm

Letter xxxviii (Circa AD 1135) to his Monks of Clairvaux.
... But if, which God forbid, there be among you any whisperer, or any that is
double-tongued, a murmurer, or rebellious, or impatient of discipline, or restless ...
/.../letter xxxviii circa a d 1135.htm

A Bundle of Proverbs
... An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.28. A
froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.29. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a bundle of proverbs.htm

January 5 Evening
... A whisperer separateth chief friends."There is that speaketh like the
piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/january 5 evening.htm

Thesaurus
Whisperer (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Whisperer (4 Occurrences). Proverbs 16:28 A perverse
man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. ...
/w/whisperer.htm - 7k

Whisperers (1 Occurrence)

/w/whisperers.htm - 6k

Whispered (4 Occurrences)

/w/whispered.htm - 7k

Innermost (22 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NAS RSV). Proverbs 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
they go down into the innermost parts. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). ...
/i/innermost.htm - 13k

Froward (21 Occurrences)
... delight. (KJV WBS). Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer
separateth chief friends. (KJV JPS WBS YLT). Proverbs ...
/f/froward.htm - 11k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... KJV). Proverbs 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they
go down into the innermost parts. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS). ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Morsels (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Proverbs 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they
go down into the innermost parts. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/morsels.htm - 7k

Ceases (10 Occurrences)
... men. (WEB NAS). Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and
where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. (See RSV). ...
/c/ceases.htm - 9k

Stirs (23 Occurrences)
... strife. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends. (WEB NIV). Proverbs ...
/s/stirs.htm - 12k

Separates (8 Occurrences)
... me." (See NIV). Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer
separates close friends. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 17 ...
/s/separates.htm - 8k

Resources
What does the Bible say about a sixth sense / third eye? | GotQuestions.org

Whisperer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Whisperer (4 Occurrences)

Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

Proverbs 18:8
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
(See JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Proverbs 26:20
For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
(See JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Proverbs 26:22
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Whisperer

Whisperer: A Slanderer

Related Terms

Whisperers (1 Occurrence)

Whispered (4 Occurrences)

Innermost (22 Occurrences)

Froward (21 Occurrences)

Dainty (7 Occurrences)

Morsels (5 Occurrences)

Ceases (10 Occurrences)

Stirs (23 Occurrences)

Separates (8 Occurrences)

Separateth (15 Occurrences)

Scattereth (18 Occurrences)

Soweth (16 Occurrences)

Contention (24 Occurrences)

Perverse (55 Occurrences)

Familiar (35 Occurrences)

Strife (71 Occurrences)

Hallohesh (2 Occurrences)

Whispered and Proclaimed
Top of Page
Top of Page