Proverbs 26:22
The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer) are like tasty morsels, 1 and they go down into the innermost chambers of the beten. 1
Orthodox Jewish Bible
In The King James Version
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
In Context
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to eish; 1 so is a contentious ish to kindle strife. 1
23Fervent sfatayim (lips) and a lev rah 1 are like earthenware covered with silver dross. 1
Cross References
Proverbs 18:8The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, talebearer, slanderer) are like mitlachamim (delicious tidbits), 1 and they go down into the innermost parts of the beten (belly). 1
Ezekiel 22:9In thee are anashim that slander to cause shefach dahm; and in thee are they who eat upon the harim; in the midst of thee they commit zimmah (lewdness).
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:21-23
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. Contention is as a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into a flame. Now here we are told how that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning, that we may avoid the occasions… Read the whole commentary →