Proverbs 11 · Verse 13

Proverbs 11:13

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Proverbs 11:13, King James Version

Proverbs 11:13 in other translations

BSBA gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
WEBOne who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
ASVHe that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
YLTA busybody is revealing secret counsel, And the faithful of spirit is covering the matter.
DARBYHe that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
BBEHe who goes about talking of others makes secrets public, but the true-hearted man keeps things covered.
WebsterA tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

What does Proverbs 11:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. tale-bearer--(Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 A talebearer - הולך רכיל holech rachil, the walking busybody, the trader in scandal. Revealeth secrets - Whatever was confided to him he is sure to publish abroad. The word means a hawker, or travelling chapman. Such are always great newsmongers; and will tell even their own secrets, rather than have nothing to say.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 11:13 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הוֹלֵ֣ךְho.Lekh[one who] goes aboutH1980
רָ֭כִילRa.khila slandererH7400
מְגַלֶּה\־me.ga.leh-[is] revealingH1540
סּ֑וֹדSoda secretH5475
וְנֶאֱמַן\־ve.ne.'e.man-and a [person] faithful ofH539
ר֝֗וּחַRu.achspiritH7307
מְכַסֶּ֥הme.kha.Seh[is] concealingH3680
דָבָֽר\׃da.Vara matterH1697

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 11:13

  • Proverbs 20:19

    He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

  • Proverbs 25:9

    Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

  • Leviticus 19:16

    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.

  • 1 Timothy 5:13

    And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

  • Proverbs 26:20-22

    Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

  • Joshua 2:14

    And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

  • Joshua 2:20

    And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

  • Jeremiah 38:27

    Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.

  • Proverbs 14:5

    A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

  • Nehemiah 6:17-19

    Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
A tale bearer. Heb. He that walketh being a talebearer.
20:19; Le 19:16
revealeth.
25:9; 26:20-22; Ne 6:17-19
he.
14:5; Jos 2:14,20; Jer 38:27

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 11:12

    He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

  • Proverbs 11:13

    A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

  • Proverbs 11:14

    Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Read all of Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que anda en chismes, descubre el secreto: mas el de espíritu fiel encubre la cosa.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui va rapportant révèle le secret, mais celui qui est d’un esprit fidèle couvre la chose.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer als Verleumder umhergeht, deckt das Geheimnis auf; wer aber treuen Geistes ist, deckt die Sache zu.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui ambulat fraudulenter, revelat arcana; qui autem fidelis est animi, celat amici commissum.