Leviticus 19:16
[16] Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.
The Most High does not want us to put ourselves in a position where we are going “up and down as a talebearer among our people”. But what does that actually mean? Let’s examine it by analyzing the definition of a talebearer to get a better understanding of what he is talking about.
Strong's Number
H7400
Original Word
רכיל
Transliterated Word
râkîyl
Phonetic Spelling
raw-keel'
Parts of Speech
Noun Masculine
Strong's Definition
From H7402; a scandal monger (as travelling about): - {slander} carry {tales} talebearer.
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Definition
slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer
Scandal
a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc.
an offense caused by a fault or misdeed.
damage to reputation; public disgrace.
defamatory talk; malicious gossip.
a person whose conduct brings disgrace or offense.
verb (used with object), scan·daled, scan·dal·ing or (especially British) scan·dalled, scan·dal·ling.
Monger
a person who is involved with something in a petty or contemptible way (usually used in combination):
a gossipmonger.
Tale bearing is the art of revealing secrets and telling lies, usually to discredit or defame another person. However, it is not something that is exclusive to people. But it is the most damaging when done to people. It is often done to companies as well. And similar to murmuring it is tearing down through the words we speak or write to others. Which can lead to wars, fights, loss of life, loss of friends and damaged or lost relationships. And the damage, once done, can leave a person or rather a name irredeemable. To make matters worse, this can all be done by one person. Even with one word as simple as “rape” or “abuse” from someone else’s mouth.
Sirach 26:5
There be three things that mine heart feareth; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death.
All of these things in Sirach 26:5 make up the definition of talebearing. All of which is initiated through the words spoken. And is worse then death because people will still be talking about you after your dead, and now you died with a bad stain on your name you can’t even amend! These words tear down and derail someone from one frame of thinking toward a person, place, or thing. And aligns that very same person, place, or thing with something totally different. Yet, if pushed hard enough, those negative words will lead to negative thoughts associated with that name for years to come. If I say, “oh, he’s young”. One will now find youth as a reason to discredit someones ability to be able to do something or achieve a particular result. As people have different definitions of “young” and “old”. If I say, “Oh, he’s power hungry.” Now anytime a said person tries to lead you or direct some department or organization one will think it is not in sincereity and they will not be for the people. When if you're in a position of authority you automatically gain power. If I said “hate group” different people and organizations come to mind. All of this just off of one word. That is usually not even true. It is a slander. Yet, many things we may deem as “hate” we must learn is love according to the Most High.
Proverbs 11:13
[13] A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
A talebearer by one definition is one who will talk about you and announce or disclose the information you don’t want getting out. And usually there is an understanding that this is between me and you. Or just a select group of people where that trust is given. But someone that is faithful (or trustworthy) will conceal the matter and insure that the information discussed stays “between me and you” or the respected parties that information should be shared with.
Proverbs 26:20-22
[20] Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. [21] As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. [22] The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
We see two analogy’s used to describe a talebearer in this verse. The first, is wood to a fire and the second, is fresh coal to burning coal (which is also derived from wood). Regardless of how you cut it, a talebearer is regarded as one who will fuel the fire. What’s wrong with that? Well, the whole objective is to put the fire out! However, if you can eliminate the person who is doing it, it is best to do so. The first thing to do is address and see if they will change or repent. If not you may need to distance yourself from that person, or remove them from your congregation. As a talebearer is the source of the fire continuing to spread.
One should also note how a talebearer is mentioned along with a contentious individual. Why? Because one may choose to deliberately slander someone or disclose information with the intention of causing harm to this person or their reputation. They can literally start or “kindle” problems like a fire that will spread and cause a whole lot of damage. And through words you are tearing down. Although, the saying goes, “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That saying is far from the reality we live in and what the scriptures teach. Words can stick with you, and those words can affect your mind and spirit more than what a physical injury can.
Psalm 35:14-16 KJVS
[14] I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. [15] But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: [16] With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
The situations are more hurtful when you dealt with that person as a friend or brother. And when you are going through something and looking to confide in someone they betray you. Even worse is that they rejoice in your suffering and gather themselves together with others that also want to see your downfall. And that is how more drama starts with the rumors and slander they come up with. Unfortunately, you may not even know it, and it may be some time before it is fully revealed to you.
Tobit 3:7–10
7 It came to pass the same day, that in Ecbatane a city of Media Sara the daughter of Raguel was also reproached by her father’s maids; 8 Because that she had been married to seven husbands, whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed, before they had lain with her. Dost thou not know, said they, that thou hast strangled thine husbands? thou hast had already seven husbands, neither wast thou named after any of them. 9 Wherefore dost thou beat us for them? if they be dead, go thy ways after them, let us never see of thee either son or daughter. 10 When she heard these things, she was very sorrowful, so that she thought to have strangled herself; and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be a reproach unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave.
Events happen in our lives and others can want to chime in on the cause and reason as to why you are going through what you are going through. However, not everyone is balanced or does it in wisdom. And you can put yourself in a place where you are slandering someone by making up lies that you tell others regarding what happened. An evil spirit killed this woman’s husbands before she was able to consummate with them. But all her fathers female servants saw was an opportunity to tare her down. “You married seven men, and murdered them, choked them all out.” And start bringing up an evil name on her and her fathers house. So much so, that it caused this woman to want to commit suicide. Would you want that blood on your hands due to your words or influence?
Remember that it was the slander of Christ by the Pharisees that got him killed. All these rumors that were deliberately started to see his downfall. We forget that we listen to what people say. This is why companies work hard to get positive feedback from their customers because one bad or unpleasant experience could possibly ruin the company if it gets too noised abroad. Something as simple as “Girl don’t go to the Walmart on such and such, I went in there and asked the manager where such and such was and they didn’t even know. Them people over there don’t know where nothing be at.” Boom, now that location starts getting slandered for “not knowing where nothing is at.” No one is going to consider, “Oh, it is a new store” “Oh, it was a new manager from a different area.” Or “he said he didn’t know and he had to check the inventory but you were too impatient to wait.”
You can even find a talebearer as one who puts a ten on a two. They add way more to the situation that was there and make it seem way worse than it really was. Often times, when that wasn’t even what happened. So now it becomes a whole new story. And now it is a lie. And if told it using dysphemisms instead of euphemisms it can easily become slander and defamation of a person, place, or thing. Because one is deliberately using words to make something or someone sound worse. Which can change the whole context of the conversation and meaning. I can take the same situation and describe it in totally different ways to convey a different meaning, just by changing a word. Look at these examples below as I go from euphemisms to dysphemisms:
He tapped me
He bumped me
He hit me
He beat me
Notice, this is just with one word being substituted. Mind you, people distort whole sentences and scenarios. Look at how a word out of context can now make the story a lie. And not just a lie it is now slander and talebearing because you are painting an image. I can tell a lie and not necessarily tale-bear or slander per say. Like if someone asked me, “did you eat the last donut?” “No.” Here I did not slander or tale-bear on anyone. So be mindful of what you say and your word choice.
Proverbs 20:18-19
[18] Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. [19] He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
If one is planning to go to war, you need good information and advice to plan accordingly. You don’t need someone who will spread rumors or reveal information that they shouldn’t. As it may cause you to lose the war. And a sign of someone who may be in that position is someone who seems to be very charming or persuasive with their words.
2 Esdras 12:38
And teach them to the wise of the people, whose hearts thou knowest may comprehend and keep these secrets.
Esdras was charged with the preservation of the scriptures and to take other men and write what we would consider the “Bible“ at that time. Howbeit, some information he was given to write and declare so all may know it. Other information was given and told to keep and only show to those who are wise and may comprehend it.
Not everyone in your circle has the same level of wisdom and understanding. And some may be destitute of both. Which is why you should practice discernment to know who will keep your secrets and who will not. Who has wisdom and who lacks it. This does not mean you cannot have them in your circle, you just have to be mindful of what you can and can’t tell them. You have to know who you can and who you can’t share certain information with.
Sirach 22:22
If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for for these things every friend will depart.
There may come a time when you may speak on something you shouldn’t, or someone close to you does the same to you. In some cases things can be amended. In others, it may not be able to be amended in a way where everything is all good. And there are certain offenses where a friend will depart need that be, you two are no longer friends. Or now you deal with them with a “long handled spoon” or vice versa. The relationship has changed due to the damage done. Which is why we have to practice what we do and don’t disclose to others. And how generic or specific we may be with information.
Sirach 27:16–17
Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind. Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.
Let’s say this person continues in the same spirit. It will be a situation where they will lose credit. They will not have credibility, or rather trust and will not be able to develop healthy relationships with others. And when they truly evaluate who they have as friends in their life, they will see that less and less people come to mind. Until they reach a point in time where they will not be able to think of anyone. Which brings us back to the importance of loving and valuing our friends and being faithful to them and maintain that trust. And the later end being that if you have done too much damage, yes try to do what you can to mend but don’t be the primary one trying to push for things to be as they were. Leave them alone and give them space to see how they will deal with you. And if they don’t want to be close to you anymore that is okay.
Sirach 27:21
As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.
A physical wound can be bound up. The physical wound is the easier wound to heal, even if it may be a mild injury like a broken bone. And even if someone may say some harsh words or revile you, all is not lost. Things may or may not be able to be reconciled. But when one deals with betrayal, especially of secrets you can be in a place where the hope of healing that wound and that relationship may more than likely be lost. And if someone is known for behaving in this way, there is no hope in them having successful and healthy relationships until they sincerely change.
Sirach 41:23–24
23 Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets. 24 So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men.
If you can be mindful of speaking on things that you may have heard or were told to you, you will find favor with people. If you don’t it will only bring you shame.
Sirach 19:15
Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.
With all that being said, remember your friends and intreat the person first. For the scriptures are true when it says, “for MANY times it is a SLANDER.” And don’t believe every tale. Why? Because many people are talebearers need that be intentionally or accidentally. They are possibly even in a mood for a time, a moment, or just toward that person and they are tearing down with their words.
Psalm 101:5 KJVS
[5] Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
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