Proverbs 25:10

Study note

Setting — The text addresses a mediator handling a dispute with a neighbor, warning against betraying a confidence while arguing a case. This instruction stands immediately before the proverb on timing speech appropriately.

The words — The Hebrew פֶּן (pen) means "lest," introducing a caution, while שֹׁמֵעַ (sho.me.a) denotes "one who hears." The verb תָּשׁוּב (ta.shuv) literally means "it will turn back," combined with לֹא (lo) to state "it will not turn back."

The thread — The concern over lasting disgrace parallels the petition in Psalms 119:39 to turn away dreaded shame. Both passages treat enduring reproach as a direct outcome of unguarded communication.

Why it lands — The verse states that leaking private information causes permanent reputational damage, requiring the mediator to prioritize discretion over winning a case. It demands the reader to measure speech against the risk of irreversible infamy.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.