Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:A rumor is an unverified piece of information or a account that is circulated among people. In the biblical context, rumors can often lead to misunderstanding, fear, and discord among individuals and communities. The Bible addresses the nature and impact of rumors, emphasizing the importance of truth and the dangers of spreading false information.
Biblical References and Context:The Bible contains several references to rumors, highlighting their potential to cause harm and disrupt peace. In the Old Testament, rumors are often associated with fear and panic. For instance, in
Jeremiah 51:46 , the prophet warns, "Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land, for a rumor will come one year—and then another the next year—of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler." This passage illustrates how rumors can incite fear and anxiety, leading to instability.
In the New Testament, the spread of rumors is addressed in the context of the early Christian community.
Acts 21:21 mentions how rumors about the Apostle Paul led to misunderstandings among the Jewish believers: "They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe our customs." This example shows how rumors can distort the truth and create division within the community.
Moral and Ethical Implications:The Bible consistently advocates for truthfulness and integrity, warning against the spread of falsehoods.
Proverbs 11:13 states, "A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence." This verse underscores the value of discretion and the importance of being a reliable source of information. Similarly,
Proverbs 26:20 notes, "Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a conflict ceases." This metaphor highlights how rumors can fuel conflict and how their absence can lead to peace.
Practical Applications:Believers are encouraged to be discerning and cautious in their communication, ensuring that they do not contribute to the spread of rumors.
Ephesians 4:29 advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This instruction calls for speech that edifies and encourages rather than harms or misleads.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive discourse on rumors, it offers clear guidance on the importance of truth and the dangers of spreading unverified information. By adhering to biblical principles, believers can foster a community characterized by trust, peace, and mutual respect.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A flying or popular report; the common talk; hence, public fame; notoriety.
2. (n.) A current story passing from one person to another, without any known authority for its truth; -- in this sense often personified.
3. (n.) A prolonged, indistinct noise.
4. (v. t.) To report by rumor; to tell.
Greek
189. akoe -- hearing, the sense of hearing... akoe Phonetic Spelling: (ak-o-ay') Short Definition: hearing, faculty of hearing,
ear Definition: hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report,
rumor.
...2279. echos -- a noise, sound
... a noise, sound. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: echos Phonetic
Spelling: (ay'-khos) Short Definition: a sound,rumor Definition: (a) a sound...
5345. pheme -- a saying or report
... Word Origin from phemi Definition a saying or report NASB Word Usage news (2). report,
news. From phemi; a saying, ieRumor ("fame") -- fame. see GREEK phemi....
864. aphikneomai -- to arrive at
... come abroad, go forth. From apo and the base of hikanos; to go (ie Spread) forth
(byrumor) -- come abroad. see GREEK apo. see GREEK hikanos....
2811. kleos -- fame
... Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kleos Phonetic Spelling: (kleh'-os) Short Definition:
glory, fame, praise Definition: glory, fame, praise;rumor, report, credit....
Strong's Hebrew
8052. shemuah -- a report... Word Origin from shama Definition a report NASB Word Usage heard (1), message (3),
news (6), report (10),
rumor (4), rumors (1), tidings (1), what it means (1
...8088. shema -- a hearing, report
... From shama'; something heard, ie A sound,rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience --
bruit, fame, hear(-ing), loud, report, speech, tidings....
Library
Now, when all Galilee was Filled with thisRumor...
... Section 27. Now, when all Galilee was filled with thisrumor? 27. Now,
when all Galilee was filled with thisrumor, that their...
The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr
... to strict and exact inquiry"not, moved by prejudice or respect for superstitious
men, or by irrational impulse and long-established evilrumor, giving a vote...
How Moses Ascended up to Mount Sinai, and Received Laws from God...
... also; nay, indeed, it cannot be looked at without pain of the eyes: and besides
this, it was terrible and inaccessible, on account of therumor that passed...
However, Before those Laws were Sent into Africa by which Men are...
...Rumor, however, had carried the tidings even across the sea that he had been killed
by the violence of the Donatists; and when afterwards he himself went abroad...
A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Athenian
... But if the accusation goes no farther than a name"and it is clear that up to today
the tales about us rest only on popular and uncriticalrumor, and not a...
The Roman Conflagration and the Neronian Persecution.
... Publicrumor traced it to Nero, who wished to enjoy the lurid spectacle of burning
Troy, and to gratify his ambition to rebuild Rome on a more magnificent scale...
Treatise on the Priesthood. Book I.
... [47] As soon as I heard thisrumor I was seized with alarm and perplexity: with
alarm lest I should be made captive against my will, and perplexity, inquiring...
Corn in Egypt
... to hope that there may be corn somewhere; and then he thinks there is; and then
he says there is; and then, what begins with a wish comes to be arumor and a...
The Life of Flavius Josephus
... Section 26. There were some bold young men of the village of Dabaritta? Section
27. Now, when all Galilee was filled with thisrumor? Section 28....
The Shadow of Disappointment.
... And, in the midst of their despondency, striking upon this very chord, the startling
rumor reached them that Christ had risen from the dead....
Thesaurus
Rumor (10 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) A prolonged, indistinct noise. 4. (vt) To report by
rumor; to
tell. Multi-Version Concordance
Rumor (10 Occurrences).
...Fame (38 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Public report orrumor. 2. (n.) Report
or opinion generally diffused; renown; public estimation...
Noise (126 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Loud or continuous talk; general talk or discussion;rumor; report.... 5. (vi)
To sound; to make a noise. 6. (vt) To spread byrumor or report....
Embassador (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 49:14 I have heard arumor from the LORD, and an embassador is sent to
the heathen, saying, Assemble, and come against her, and rise up to the battle....
Bruit (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Report;rumor; fame.... BRUIT. broot (shema`): A word no longer in common use
(marked "archaic" and "obsolete" by Murray), signifying arumor or report....
Follows (65 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come on mischief, andrumor shall be onrumor; and they
shall seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest...
Mischief (64 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come on mischief, andrumor shall be onrumor; and they
shall seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest...
Nero
...Rumor had it that on hearing the Greek verse, "When I am dead let the earth be wrapped
in fire," he interrupted, "Nay rather, while I live" (Suetonius xxxviii...
Try (84 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come on mischief, andrumor shall be onrumor; and they
shall seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest...
Lost (85 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come on mischief, andrumor shall be onrumor; and they
shall seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest...
Resources
What does the Bible say about spreading rumors? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian be interested in conspiracy theories? | GotQuestions.orgRumor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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