דִּבָּה
slander
Definition
The Hebrew noun דִּבָּה (dibbâh) primarily denotes a malicious report or slanderous speech intended to damage someone's reputation. It often refers to a false or exaggerated accusation spread secretly, as seen when Joseph brought a 'bad report' about his brothers to their father (Genesis 37:2). In some contexts, it can describe a general 'evil report' that spreads fear and discouragement, such as the negative account the Israelite spies gave about the Promised Land (Numbers 13:32). The word also appears in wisdom literature, warning against those who spread slander (Proverbs 10:18) or revealing a secret (Proverbs 25:10).
Biblical Usage
דִּבָּה is used nine times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and wisdom books. It appears in key stories of conflict: Joseph's report about his brothers (Genesis 37:2), the spies' discouraging report about Canaan (Numbers 13:32; 14:36-37), and the plots against the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:10). The Psalms use it to describe the speaker's experience of being surrounded by malicious talk (Psalm 31:13). Proverbs employs it to illustrate the dangers of gossip and betrayal of confidence (Proverbs 10:18; 25:10). The usage consistently involves speech that harms relationships or communities.
Etymology
דִּבָּה derives from the root דָּבַב (dābab, H1680), which conveys a sense of moving slowly, whispering, or murmuring. This root connection suggests the stealthy, creeping nature of slander—it is not public accusation but often secretive, furtive speech. The noun form emphasizes the product or content of such murmuring: a harmful report.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it addresses the power of speech and the sin of slander, which violates the Ninth Commandment. It highlights how false or malicious reports can destroy trust within families (like Joseph's), undermine faith in God's promises (as with the spies), and persecute the righteous (as with Jeremiah and the Psalmist). Understanding דִּבָּה enriches reading by revealing the destructive, community-shattering potential of words, contrasting with God's truthful and life-giving speech.
In ancient Israelite culture, reputation and honor within the community were paramount. A דִּבָּה was not merely casual gossip but a serious social weapon that could irreparably damage a person's standing and relationships. Unlike modern legal definitions of slander, this concept in its biblical setting carried a weight that could influence family dynamics, tribal unity, and even national decisions, as seen when the spies' report led to a crisis of faith for the entire nation.
רָכִיל (rākîl, H7400) — denotes a talebearer or slanderer, focusing more on the person who goes about spreading reports. לָשׁוֹן הָרָע (lāšôn hārāʿ) — the common phrase for 'evil tongue' or malicious speech, a broader category that includes דִּבָּה. שֶׁקֶר (šeqer, H8267) — means 'lie' or 'falsehood'; while דִּבָּה can be false, it specifically implies report or speech that damages reputation.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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