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דִּבָּה

𐤃𐤁𐤄

dibbâh

H1681 noun

SILEX Entry

Root דבב to speak, move gently, whisper

Definition

A spoken account or report, typically negative or damaging in nature; an unfavorable, malicious, or slanderous report circulated about a person or group, often implying intent to harm reputation or incite ill-will. The term encompasses gossip, rumor, or contentious accusation, especially when based on questionable or false information.

Semantic Range

disparaging report, slander, malicious or evil report, gossip, rumor, spoken accusation, infamy

Root / Etymology

From the root דבר (דבב), which at root conveys 'to speak' or 'to move gently/stealthily.' The noun דִּבָּה is derived from this root with a semantic shift toward 'speech,' particularly negative or injurious speech.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite context, דִּבָּה frequently describes malign or unsubstantiated speech that undermines reputation or causes discord, as in Numbers 13:32 where it refers to the negative (and discouraging) report given by the scouts about the land of Canaan. In other instances (Genesis 37:2), it refers to a damaging report brought against Joseph's brothers. Usage in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs) highlights its role in social cohesion, as spreading דִּבָּה is associated with division or enmity. The nuance is not limited to falsehoods: it may include true but maliciously presented statements. Later biblical usage continues to emphasize its destructive social effect, and its translation as 'evil report' or 'slander' can both capture aspects of the meaning but may not always convey the full malicious or destabilizing intent embedded in the term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from דָּבַב (in the sense of furtive motion); slander; defaming, evil report, infamy, slander.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

דבב (d-b-b) — to speak, whisper, move gently/stealthily

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1677 דֹּב bear
H1679 דֹּבֶא your quietness
H1680 דָּבַב gently gliding one

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1681-02 דִּבַּ֤ת dibat HNcfsc the slander malicious report of 4
H1681-01 דִבָּ֖ה dibah HNcfsa slander malicious report 2
H1681-04 וְ/דִבַּת vedibat HC/Ncfsc and-talk-of and slander-report of 1
H1681-05 וְ֝/דִבָּתְ/ךָ֗ vedibatekha HC/Ncfsc/Sp2ms and your evil report and your slanderous report 1
H1681-03 דִּבָּתָ֥/ם dibatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their report their slanderous report 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1681-03 Genesis 37:2 דִּבָּתָ֥/ם dibatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their report their slanderous report
H1681-02 Numbers 13:32 דִּבַּ֤ת dibat HNcfsc a bad report malicious report of
H1681-01 Numbers 14:36 דִבָּ֖ה dibah HNcfsa a bad report malicious report
H1681-02 Numbers 14:37 דִבַּת dibat HNcfsc the report malicious report of
H1681-02 Jeremiah 20:10 דִּבַּ֣ת dibat HNcfsc the slander malicious report of
H1681-04 Ezekiel 36:3 וְ/דִבַּת vedibat HC/Ncfsc and-talk-of and slander-report of
H1681-02 Psalms 31:14 דִּבַּ֥ת dibat HNcfsc the slander malicious report of
H1681-01 Proverbs 10:18 דִ֝בָּ֗ה dibah HNcfsa slander malicious report
H1681-05 Proverbs 25:10 וְ֝/דִבָּתְ/ךָ֗ vedibatekha HC/Ncfsc/Sp2ms and your evil report and your slanderous report
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