Proverbs 18:8

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

דִּבְרֵ֣י נִ֭רְגָּן כְּמִֽתְלַהֲמִ֑ים וְ֝הֵ֗ם יָרְד֥וּ חַדְרֵי־בָֽטֶן׃

Transliteration

diḇrê nirgān like-miṯlahamîm and-they yārəḏû ḥaḏrê-ḇāṭen

Grammar Details

*diḇrê*: noun, masculine plural construct - words of
*nirgān*: noun, masculine singular - whisperer/slanderer/gossip
*miṯlahamîm*: verb, hithpael participle, masculine plural - gulping down/devouring eagerly
*yārəḏû*: verb, qal perfect, 3rd common plural - go down/descend
*ḥaḏrê*: noun, masculine plural construct - innermost parts of/chambers of
*ḇāṭen*: noun, feminine singular - belly/stomach/innermost being

Word Meanings

*nirgān*: whisperer/slanderer/gossip/talebearer
*miṯlahamîm*: gulping down/devouring eagerly/delicious morsels/dainties
*ḥaḏrê*: innermost parts/chambers/rooms
*ḇāṭen*: belly/stomach/womb/innermost being

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Lev 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 neighbor: I am Jehovah.
Prov 16:28 : 28 A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Prov 26:20-22 : 20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. 21 [ As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
Ps 52:2 : 2 Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Prov 12:18 : 18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
Ps 64:3-4 : 3 Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words, 4 That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 26:22-23
2 verses
94%
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Prov 20:19
78%
19He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.
Prov 11:13
78%
13He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
Prov 18:6-7
2 verses
78%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Prov 16:27-28
2 verses
74%
27A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Prov 26:27-28
2 verses
74%
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Prov 10:18-19
2 verses
74%
18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
Prov 12:18
73%
18There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
Eccl 10:11-12
2 verses
73%
11If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Prov 17:4
73%
4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Prov 18:9
71%
9He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Prov 6:18-19
2 verses
71%
18A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
19A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.
Prov 25:18
71%
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Prov 23:8-9
2 verses
71%
8The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Prov 26:19-20
2 verses
71%
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
20For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Jer 9:8
71%
8Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him.
Prov 27:6
70%
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Prov 18:20-21
2 verses
70%
20A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Ps 41:6
69%
6And if he come to see [me], he speaketh falsehood; His heart gathereth iniquity to itself: When he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
Prov 15:4
69%
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
Prov 18:4
69%
4The words of a man's mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
Ps 10:7
69%
7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression: Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
Prov 13:2
69%
2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous [shall eat] violence.
Prov 17:20
69%
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Prov 21:23
68%
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Ps 5:9
68%
9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue.
Prov 19:28
68%
28A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
Prov 29:5
68%
5A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps.
Lev 19:16
68%
16Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am Jehovah.
Ps 15:3
68%
3He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor;
Prov 10:10
68%
10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow; But a prating fool shall fall.
Prov 25:23
68%
23The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Ps 55:21
68%
21His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
Prov 20:30
68%
30Stripes that wound cleanse away evil; And strokes [reach] the innermost parts.
Rom 3:14
67%
14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Prov 6:14
67%
14In whose heart is perverseness, Who deviseth evil continually, Who soweth discord.
Prov 15:7
67%
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
Ps 12:2
67%
2They speak falsehood every one with his neighbor: With flattering lip, and with a double heart, do they speak.