The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a gossiper cut like wounds, and they sink deep into a person's heart and soul.
This verse is warning that gossip and spreading rumors hurts people deeply, wounding them in ways that go far beneath the surface.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs is a book of wisdom literature from ancient Israel, attributed to King Solomon, which was written to provide practical guidance for everyday life in a society where oral communication was central. In that cultural context, gossip or talebearing was a significant issue because it could destroy reputations and cause deep emotional harm in close-knit communities, where words were seen as having lasting, almost physical effects. This verse uses vivid imagery to emphasize how careless speech penetrates deeply, reflecting the broader biblical emphasis on the power of words in Israelite teachings.
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