A Study of Gossip

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A Study of Gossip
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Gossip in the Bible

• The word gossip is not found in some versions
  of the Bible
• Words like whisperer talebearer, tattler,
  or infamy are used in its place
• Some Bible versions will use the word gossip
  (RSV, NASV, etc.)
• This lesson focuses on Bible passages and word
  definitions, not the comments of men

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What is Gossip?

• Whisperer (KJV)
• Heb. lah-ghash, whisper, mumble, secretive
  talk or Heb. Neer-gahn, to roll to pieces a
  slanderer backbite whisper maliciously a
  person who harms others verbally and falsely
• Lah-ghash Psa. 417 585 2 Sam. 1219
• Neer-gahn Prov. 1628

4
What is Gossip?

• Whisperer (KJV)
• Gr. psithuristes and Gr. psithurismos secret
  slandering detractor (onomatopoetic)
• NT Use Rom. 129 2 Cor. 1220

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What is Gossip?

• Whisperer (KJV)
• Synonymous with No. 1 is katalalos, a
  backbiter (Rom. 130), the distinction being
  that this denotes one guilty of open calumny,
  psithuristes, one who does it clandestinely
  (Vine, 674)

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What is Gossip?

• Talebearer (KJV)
• Heb. rah-cheel, a scandal-monger (as travelling
  about), slander, slanderous informer,
  spreading rumors or falsities defamer or
  Heb. neer-gahn, to roll to pieces, a slanderer
• Rah-cheel Lev. 1916 Prov. 1113 2019
  Jer. 628 94 Ezek. 229 (men that carry
  tales, KJV)
• Neer-gahn Prov. 188 2620,22

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What is Gossip?

• Tattler (KJV)
• Gr. phluaros, lit. boil up, bubble up to
  babble, empty talk and Gr. phluareo, to
  prate against, utter nonsense, make empty,
  unjustified charges
• NT Use 1 Tim. 513 3 Jn. 10

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What is Gossip?

• Infamy (KJV)
• Heb. dib-bah, slander, defaming, evil,
  malicious report, calumny
• Dib-bah Gen. 372 Num. 1332 1436,37 note
  the true, but negative report Psa.
  3113-14 Prov. 1018 2510 Jer. 2010
  Ezek. 363

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What is Gossip?

• In its biblical setting, gossip is used to
  designate the spreading of secrets or rumors,
  usually for the purpose of slander (ISBE,
  revised, 2536)
• Not simply passing on information that is true,
  but passing on information (true or false) with
  some bad motive (see malicious gossip in
  2 Tim. 33 Tit. 23 NASV)