רָכִיל
ra.khil
slander
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the Hebrew word רָכִיל (Strong's number: H7400), we can analyze that its primary meaning is "slander." This term suggests a spreading of false or malicious information about someone, often with the intention of causing harm or damaging their reputation. The range of usage for this word is relatively confined, appearing only six times in the Bible. This scarcity implies that the concept of slander may be viewed as particularly significant or egregious within the biblical context. The semantic domain assigned to this word is Geography & Place, but given the definition provided, it appears to actually fall under a more emotional-social category. It may have implications for how we interact with others within our communities, as well as the impact of malicious gossip in those environments.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences across the text
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
Jeremiah 6:28They are all grievous rebels, going around to slander. They are bronze and iron. All of them deal corruptly.
Jeremiah 9:4“Everyone beware of his neighbor, and don’t trust in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go around like a slanderer.
Ezekiel 22:9Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness among you.
Leviticus 19:16“ ‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people. “ ‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.