Original Word: דִּבָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: dibbah
Pronunciation: dib-baw'
Phonetic Spelling: (dib-baw')
KJV: defaming, evil report, infamy, slander
NASB: bad report, report, slander, whispering, evil report
Word Origin: [from H1680 (דָּבַב - flowing gently) (in the sense of furtive motion)]

1. slander

defaming, evil report, infamy, slander

From dabab (in the sense of furtive motion); slander -- defaming, evil report, infamy, slander.

see HEBREW dabab

Word Origin
from dabab
Definition
whispering, defamation, evil report
NASB Translation
bad report (2), bad* (2), evil report (1), report (2), slander (2), whispering (2).

דִּבָּה noun feminine whispering, defamation, evil report (? as that which glides stealthily) — absolute ׳ד Numbers 14:36; Proverbs 10:18; construct דִּבַּת Jeremiah 20:10 4t.; suffix דִּבָּֽתְךָ Proverbs 25:10 דִּבָּתָם Genesis 37:2; —

1 whispering Psalm 31:14; Jeremiah 20:10 (Hi Hup De Gf VB; yet compare Che Psalm).

2 defamation Proverbs 10:18 (with הוציא).

3 evil report, specifically a (true) report of evil doing Genesis 37:2 (P) וַיָּבֵא אֶתדִּֿבָּתָם רָעָה; compare also Proverbs 25:10 & Ezekiel 36:3 וֵַ˜תּעֲלוּ עַלשְֿׂפַת לָשׁוֺן וְדִבַּתעָֿ֑ם, unfavourable report of spies Numbers 13:32; Numbers 14:36,37 (all P & all with הוֺצִיא; adjective רעה only Numbers 14:37).

Meaning and Scope

Though never neutral, דִּבָּה denotes speech that actively harms—an “evil report,” whisper, or slander aimed at destroying confidence in persons, promises, or places blessed by God.

Patterns of Use across the Old Testament

• Family Setting (Genesis 37:2) – Joseph’s “bad report” widens existing jealousy, illustrating how slander can fracture households.
• National Crisis (Numbers 13:32; 14:36-37) – Ten spies undermine faith in the promised land; their words provoke rebellion and end in God-sent plague.
• Personal Persecution (Psalm 31:13; Jeremiah 20:10) – David and Jeremiah face coordinated rumor campaigns yet entrust their reputations to the LORD.
• Wisdom Instruction (Proverbs 10:18; 25:10) – Proverbs brands the slanderer a fool and warns that betraying a secret ruins one’s own name.
• Prophetic Indictment (Ezekiel 36:3) – Gentile nations vilify Israel; God vows to reverse the shame, proving He hears international slander as clearly as private gossip.

Consequences and Divine Response

1. Relational Estrangement – Joseph’s brothers deepen their hatred.
2. Corporate Unbelief – Israel forfeits immediate entry to Canaan.
3. Judicial Judgement – Plague strikes the spies; exile exposes nations that defamed Israel.
4. Ultimate Vindication – God defends the righteous and restores those maligned.

Theology of Speech

Words carry covenant weight. דִּבָּה violates the Ninth Commandment and aligns the speaker with the adversary, not with the God of truth. The consistent biblical remedy is faithful testimony that upholds God’s character and promises.

Ministry Reflections

• Guard the Flock – Confront rumor swiftly to protect unity (cf. Titus 3:10-11).
• Model Truth-Telling – Leaders must avoid half-facts that erode trust in God’s Word.
• Teach from Numbers 13-14 – Show how slander inflames fear where faith should stand.
• Pastoral Care – Counsel believers to answer defamation with prayerful reliance on divine vindication, following David, Jeremiah, and ultimately Christ.

New Testament Echoes

The vocabulary of “slander” (blasphēmia, diabolos) sustains the Old Testament warning (James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1). Jesus endures false testimony (Mark 14:56) and is vindicated on the third day, providing the definitive pattern for responding to דִּבָּה.

Summary

דִּבָּה is malicious speech that sows distrust, incites rebellion, and invites God’s judgment, yet Scripture continually assures that He will silence every slander and honor those who cling to truth.

דִ֝בָּ֗ה דִּבַּ֣ת דִּבַּ֤ת דִּבַּ֥ת דִּבָּתָ֥ם דִבַּת־ דִבָּ֖ה דבה דבת דבת־ דבתם וְ֝דִבָּתְךָ֗ וְדִבַּת־ ודבת־ ודבתך dib·bā·ṯām ḏib·bāh dib·baṯ ḏib·baṯ- dibBah ḏibbāh dibBat dibbaṯ ḏibbaṯ- dibbaTam dibbāṯām vedibbat vedibbatecha wə·ḏib·bā·ṯə·ḵā wə·ḏib·baṯ- wəḏibbaṯ- wəḏibbāṯəḵāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts