Proverbs 20:19He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~950 BC. Solomon observing court intrigue where loose tongues destroy careers and relationships in Jerusalem, Israel...
The emotion here: protective anger watching innocent people destroyed by loose tongues
The original word
rakil (רָכִיל) — a traveling merchant of secrets, one who peddles gossip for social currency
Why it matters
Ancient courts employed spies called 'whisperers' who gathered secrets to sell to the highest bidder
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 20:19
The phrase 'opens wide his lips' suggests someone who can't control their mouth - it's a character flaw, not just bad behavior
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about not gossiping, but it's actually about choosing your friends carefully. The command is 'don't keep company' - avoid people who can't keep secrets, even if they're fun to be around.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 20:19
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 20:19 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 20:19 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include discretion, relationships. Notable phrases: tale-bearer reveals secrets; don't keep company. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 20:19 mean to you, today?
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