Topical Bible: Slander

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Nature:
Slander is the act of making false and damaging statements about someone, with the intent to harm their reputation. It is considered a serious sin in the Bible, as it not only injures the person being spoken about but also reflects a corrupt heart and a lack of love for one's neighbor. Slander is often associated with gossip, deceit, and malice, and is condemned throughout Scripture.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Leviticus 19:16 · "You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD."
· Proverbs 10:18 · "The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool."
· Psalm 101:5 · "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate."

2. New Testament:
· Ephesians 4:31 · "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice."
· James 4:11 · "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it."
· 1 Peter 2:1 · "Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander."

Theological Implications:
Slander is a violation of the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39). It is an expression of the sinful nature that believers are called to put off (Colossians 3:8). Slander not only harms the individual being spoken about but also disrupts the unity and fellowship within the body of Christ. It is a tool of the enemy, used to sow discord and division among believers.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
Christians are called to speak truthfully and lovingly, building each other up rather than tearing each other down (Ephesians 4:29). The tongue, though small, has the power to cause great harm, and believers are urged to control it (James 3:5-6). Slander is a reflection of a heart that is not aligned with God's will, and it is a behavior that must be repented of and forsaken.

Practical Applications:
Believers are encouraged to examine their speech and ensure that it aligns with the teachings of Christ. This includes refraining from spreading rumors, speaking ill of others, or engaging in conversations that could damage someone's reputation. Instead, Christians are to speak words that are edifying, truthful, and reflective of the love of Christ. In situations where slander has occurred, it is important to seek forgiveness and reconciliation, both with God and with those who have been wronged.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure the reputation of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the dissemination of malicious tales or suggestions to the injury of another.

2. (n.) Disgrace; reproach; dishonor; opprobrium.

3. (n.) Formerly, defamation generally, whether oral or written; in modern usage, defamation by words spoken; utterance of false, malicious, and defamatory words, tending to the damage and derogation of another; calumny.

4. (v. t.) To defame; to injure by maliciously uttering a false report; to tarnish or impair the reputation of by false tales maliciously told or propagated; to calumniate.

5. (v. t.) To bring discredit or shame upon by one's acts.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

SLANDER

slan'-der (substantive, dibbah, "slander"; diabolos, "slanderer"; verb raghal, "to slink about" as a talebearer, lashan, "to use the tongue," "to slander"; diaballo, "to calumniate," "to slander"; and other words): Slander (etymologically a doublet of "scandal," from OFr. esclandre, Latin scandalum, "stumblingblock") is an accusation maliciously uttered, with the purpose or effect of damaging the reputation of another. As a rule it is a false charge (compare Matthew 5:11); but it may be a truth circulated insidiously and with a hostile purpose (e.g. Daniel 3:8, "brought accusation against," where Septuagint has diaballo, "slander"; Luke 16:1, the same Greek word). Warnings, condemnations and complaints in reference to this sin are very frequent, both in the Old Testament and New Testament. Mischievous "tale-bearing" or "whispering" is condemned (Leviticus 19:16 Ezekiel 22:9). There are repeated warnings against evil-speaking (as in Psalm 34:13 Proverbs 15:28 Ephesians 4:31 Colossians 3:8 James 4:11 1 Peter 3:10), which is the cause of so much strife between man and man (Proverbs 16:27-30), and which recoils on the speaker himself to his destruction (Psalm 101:5; Psalm 140:11). Especially is false witness, which is "slander carried into a court of justice," to be condemned and punished (Exodus 20:16 Deuteronomy 19:16-21; compare Proverbs 12:17; Proverbs 14:5, 25; 19:05; 21:28; 24:28). Special cases of slander more than usually mean are when a wife's chastity is falsely impeached by her husband (Deuteronomy 22:13-19), and when one slanders a servant to his master (Proverbs 30:10). Even a land may be slandered as well as persons (Numbers 14:36). Slanderers and backbiters are mentioned in some of Paul's darkest catalogues of evildoers (Romans 1:29, 30 2 Corinthians 12:20 2 Timothy 3:3). To refrain from slander is an important qualification for citizenship in theocracy (Psalm 15:1, 3; Psalm 24:3, 4) and for a place in the Christian church (1 Timothy 3:11 Titus 2:3). Jesus Himself was the victim of slanders (Matthew 11:19) and of false testimony (Matthew 27:63). The apostles, too, came in for a full share of it (e.g. Acts 24:5; 28:22:00; 2 Corinthians 6:8). In the case of Paul, even his central doctrine of justification was "slanderously reported" as if it encouraged immorality (Romans 3:8). The devil (= "the calumniator") is represented as the great accuser of God's people (Revelation 12:10), the slanderer paragraph excellence (compare Job 1:9-11 Zechariah 3:1).

See also CRIMES; PUNISHMENTS.

D. Miall Edwards

Greek

988. blasphemia -- slander
... slander. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: blasphemia Phonetic Spelling:
(blas-fay-me'-ah) Short Definition: abusive or scurrilous language ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/988.htm - 7k

987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ...
... to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely of sacred things. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: blasphemeo Phonetic Spelling: (blas-fay-meh'-o) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k

940. baskaino -- to slander, hence by ext. to bewitch
... 939, 940. baskaino. 941 . to slander, hence by ext. ... 5,13, ).]. Word Origin
from baskanos (slanderous) Definition to slander, hence by ext. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/940.htm - 7k

2635. katalaleo -- to speak evil of
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katalaleo Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-al-eh'-o)
Short Definition: I speak evil of Definition: I speak evil of, rail at, slander ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2635.htm - 7k

1225. diaballo -- to bring charges (usually with hostile intent)
... charges (usually with hostile intent). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaballo
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ab-al'-lo) Short Definition: I slander, complain of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1225.htm - 7k

2636. katalalia -- evil-speaking
... Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al-al-ee'-ah) Short Definition: evil-speaking, backbiting,
detraction Definition: evil-speaking, backbiting, detraction, slander. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2636.htm - 6k

3469. momaomai -- to find fault with
... to find fault with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: momaomai Phonetic Spelling:
(mo-mah'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I blame, slander Definition: I blame ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3469.htm - 6k

5587. psithurismos -- a whispering
... whispering. From a derivative of psithos (a whisper; by implication, a slander;
probably akin to pseudomai); whispering, ie Secret detraction -- whispering. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5587.htm - 7k

3570. nuni -- now
... Col 3:8: "But (3570 ) you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice,
slander, and abusive speech from your mouth" (). 3570 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3570.htm - 7k

1908. epereazo -- to revile
... mistreat, falsely accuse. From a comparative of epi and (probably) areia (threats);
to insult, slander -- use despitefully, falsely accuse. see GREEK epi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1908.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

3960. lashan -- to use the tongue, slander
... 3959, 3960. lashan. 3961 . to use the tongue, slander. Transliteration: lashan
Phonetic Spelling: (law-shan') Short Definition: slander. ...
/hebrew/3960.htm - 6k

7400. rakil -- slander
... 7399, 7400. rakil. 7401 . slander. Transliteration: rakil Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-keel') Short Definition: slanderer. ... slander, carry tales, talebearer. ...
/hebrew/7400.htm - 6k

1681. dibbah -- whispering, defamation, evil report
... Origin from dabab Definition whispering, defamation, evil report NASB Word Usage
bad report (2), bad* (2), evil report (1), report (2), slander (2), whispering ...
/hebrew/1681.htm - 6k

7270. ragal -- to go about on foot
... Word Origin denominative verb from regel Definition to go about on foot NASB Word
Usage slander (1), slandered (1), spied (3), spies (11), spy (9), taught to ...
/hebrew/7270.htm - 6k

1848. dophi -- a blemish, fault
... 1847, 1848. dophi. 1849 . a blemish, fault. Transliteration: dophi Phonetic
Spelling: (dof'-ee) Short Definition: slander. Word ...
/hebrew/1848.htm - 5k

5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... Requite (2), requited (1), roared loudly* (1), roared* (1), send (4), sends (1),
sent (4), set (74), setting (5), show (2), showed (1), slander* (1), sounds ...
/hebrew/5414.htm - 9k

561. emer -- speech, word
... from amar Definition speech, word NASB Word Usage arguments (1), chastisement (1),
command (1), decreed (1), promise (1), sayings (4), slander* (1), speech (2 ...
/hebrew/561.htm - 6k

7170. qerats -- a piece
... accuse. (Aramaic) corresponding to qerets in the sense of a bit (to "eat the morsels
of" any one, ie Chew him up (figuratively) by slander) -- + accuse. ...
/hebrew/7170.htm - 6k

8267. sheqer -- deception, disappointment, falsehood
... hope (1), falsehood (19), falsehoods (1), falsely (19), liar (1), lie (14), lies
(5), lying (12), lying visions (1), perjury* (1), slander* (1), treacherously ...
/hebrew/8267.htm - 6k

Library

Psalm 31 Part 2 Deliverance from Slander and Reproach.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 31 PART 2 Deliverance from slander and reproach.
v.7-13,18-21 CM. Deliverance from slander and reproach. PAUSE. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 31 part 2 deliverance.htm

The Twenty-Eighth Chapter: Strength against Slander
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Twenty-Eighth Chapter: Strength Against
Slander. The Voice of Christ MY CHILD, do not take it ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twenty-eighth chapter strength against.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... THE FOLLY OF SLANDER. Part 1. "He that uttereth slander is a fool.""Proverbs
10:18. General declamations against vice and sin ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... THE FOLLY OF SLANDER. Part 2. "He that uttereth slander is a fool.""Proverbs
10:18. I have formerly in this place, discoursing ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

Psalm 31:2. 7-13 18-21. Second Part. Deliverance from Slander and ...
... Deliverance from slander and reproach. ... 4 Slander and fear on every side, Seiz'd and
beset me round; I to the throne of grace apply'd, And speedy rescue found. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 31 2 0 13-jul 18-21 second.htm

In the Next Place, as it is his Object to Slander Our Scriptures.. ...
... Chapter XXXVIII. In the next place, as it is his object to slander our
Scriptures? In the next place, as it is his object to slander ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxviii in the next.htm

The Forty-Sixth Chapter: Trust in God against Slander
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Forty-Sixth Chapter: Trust in God Against Slander.
The Voice of Christ MY CHILD, stand firm and trust in Me. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the forty-sixth chapter trust in.htm

Ninth Commandment
... Lying"uttering or acting falsehood"and slander"the spreading of false reports tending
to destroy the reputation of another"are two of the most common ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

Commandment Second. On Avoiding Evil-Speaking, and on Giving Alms ...
... But if you listen, you will partake of the sin of him who speaks evil, if you believe
the slander which you hear; [154] for believing it, you will also have ...
/.../commandment second on avoiding evil-speaking.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... They raised for a slander of Paul, that he preached Men might do evil that good
might come of it.' We be slanderously reported; and some affirm that we say ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Thesaurus

Slander (34 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To bring discredit or shame upon by one's acts. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. SLANDER. slan'-der (substantive, dibbah, "slander...
/s/slander.htm - 21k

Defame
... 1. (vt) To slander; to harm or destroy the good reputation of; to disgrace; especially,
to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to ...
/d/defame.htm - 7k

Defaming (3 Occurrences)
... de-fam', de-fam'-ing: These words occur but twice in the King James Version, and
are translations of dibbah, "slander," from dabhath, "to slander," or spread ...
/d/defaming.htm - 8k

Slandered (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Slander. Multi-Version Concordance Slandered
(8 Occurrences). Romans 14:16 Then don't let your good be slandered, (WEB) ...
/s/slandered.htm - 8k

Slanderous (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Given or disposed to slander; uttering slander. 2. (a.) Embodying or containing
slander; calumnious; as, slanderous words, speeches, or reports. ...
/s/slanderous.htm - 7k

Uttereth (30 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 19:27 and he uttereth slander against thy servant unto my lord the king,
and my lord the king 'is' as a messenger of God; and do thou that which is ...
/u/uttereth.htm - 14k

Rage (43 Occurrences)
... NIV). Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander,
be put away from you, with all malice. (See NIV). Colossians ...
/r/rage.htm - 19k

Evilspeaking
... to "speak against" (1 Peter 2:12 James 4:11 1 Peter 3:16); (2) of blasphemia, "what
is hurtful to the good name of anyone," "detraction," "slander" (Ephesians 4 ...
/e/evilspeaking.htm - 9k

Evil-speaking (5 Occurrences)
... to "speak against" (1 Peter 2:12 James 4:11 1 Peter 3:16); (2) of blasphemia, "what
is hurtful to the good name of anyone," "detraction," "slander" (Ephesians 4 ...
/e/evil-speaking.htm - 10k

Malice (24 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,
outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. ...
/m/malice.htm - 15k

Resources

What does the Bible say about slander? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about libel? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about backstabbing? | GotQuestions.org

Slander: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Matthew 10:25
Enough for the learner to be on a level with his teacher, and for the servant to be on a level with his master. If they have called the master of the house Baal-zebul, how much more will they slander his servants?
(WEY)

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 7:22
covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don't desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 3:8
but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 5:14
I would therefore have the younger women marry, bear children, rule in domestic matters, and furnish the Adversary with no excuse for slander.
(WEY NIV)

1 Timothy 6:4
he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
(See RSV)

James 4:11
Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
(See NIV)

1 Peter 2:1
Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 2:12
having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.
(See NAS)

1 Peter 3:16
Yet argue modestly and cautiously, keeping your consciences free from guilt, so that, when you are spoken against, those who slander your good Christian lives may be put to shame.
(WEY NAS NIV)

2 Peter 2:10
but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries;
(See NIV)

Jude 1:8
Yet in like manner these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.
(WEB NIV)

Revelation 2:9
"I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
(See RSV NIV)

Revelation 13:6
He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven.
(See NIV)

Leviticus 19:16
"'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people. "'You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.
(Root in WEB YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 14:36
And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,
(KJV WBS)

2 Samuel 19:27
He has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God. Do therefore what is good in your eyes.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 15:3
He who doesn't slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man;
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 31:13
For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.
(WEB KJV DBY WBS NAS NIV)

Psalms 38:20
They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
(See NIV)

Psalms 41:6
If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.
(See NIV)

Psalms 50:20
You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother's son.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 54:5
He will repay the evil to my enemies. Destroy them in your truth.
(See NIV)

Psalms 59:10
My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.
(See NIV)

Psalms 119:23
Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
(WEB NIV)

Proverbs 10:18
He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 30:10
"Don't slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 32:7
The designs of the false are evil, purposing the destruction of the poor man by false words, even when he is in the right.
(See NAS)

Jeremiah 6:28
They are all grievous rebels, going about with slanders; they are brass and iron: they all of them deal corruptly.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 9:4
Take heed everyone of his neighbor, and don't trust in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 22:9
Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood; and in you they have eaten on the mountains: in the midst of you they have committed lewdness.
(Root in WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 36:3
therefore prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because, even because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that you might be a possession to the residue of the nations, and you are taken up in the lips of talkers, and the evil report of the people;
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Slander

Slander is a Deceitful Work

Slander is Destructive

Slander is Venomous

Slander of David, by his Enemies

Slander of Jeremiah, by the Jews

Slander of Jesus, by the Jews Falsely Charging That he Was a Winebibber (Wino)

Slander of Mephiboseth, by Ziba

Slander of Naboth, by Jezebel

Slander: A Characteristic of the Devil

Slander: An Abomination to God