Bible Encyclopedias
Backbite

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bak´bı̄t רגל , rāghal ; δολόω , dolóō ̌ : To slander the absent, like a dog biting behind the back, where one cannot see; to go about as a talebearer. "He that backbiteth [Revised Version, slandereth not with his tongue" (Psalm 15:3 ).

Backbiters bak´bı̄t -ẽrz (Greek κατάλαλοι , katálaloi ̌ : Men who speak against. Vulgate, "detractors" (Romans 1:30 ).

Backbiting bak´bı̄t -ing : סתר , ṣether ̌ : Adj. "a backbiting tongue"; literally, "a tongue of secrecy" (Proverbs 25:23 ). καταλαλία , katalalı́a ̌ : substantive "a speaking against" (2 Corinthians 12:20; Wisdom 2 Corinthians 1:11 ); "evil speaking" (1 Peter 2:1 ). γλώσσα τρίτη , glō̇ssa trı́tē ̌ : "a backbiting tongue" (the King James Version of Ecclesiasticus 28:14, 15); more literally translated in the Revised Version (British and American) "a third person's tongue."