Proverbs 25:10
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
Original Language Analysis
פֶּֽן
H6435
פֶּֽן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יְחַסֶּדְךָ֥
it put thee to shame
H2616
יְחַסֶּדְךָ֥
it put thee to shame
Strong's:
H2616
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, perhaps to bow (the neck only [compare h2603] in courtesy to an equal), i.e., to be kind; also (by euphemistically [compare h1288], but rare
שֹׁמֵ֑עַ
Lest he that heareth
H8085
שֹׁמֵ֑עַ
Lest he that heareth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 6
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Historical Context
Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes speech's power and discretion's value (11:13, 20:19, 25:9). Ancient communities depended on trust; reputation mattered immensely. Someone known for revealing secrets faced social isolation. Modern social media culture encouraging public exposure violates this wisdom. Viral shaming and public callouts damage both exposed and exposer. Wisdom maintains discretion.
Questions for Reflection
- What reputation damage have you suffered from revealing others' secrets or having yours revealed?
- How can you cultivate trustworthiness through confident discretion?
- What temptations to expose others' faults publicly need to be resisted through private resolution?
Analysis & Commentary
Lest the hearer reproach you, and your infamy not turn away. The Hebrew 'chasad' (reproach/put to shame) and 'dibah' (infamy/evil report) describe reputational damage from revealed secrets. If you expose others' secrets in disputes, hearers will distrust you - if you revealed their secret, you'll reveal mine. Trustworthiness requires confidence-keeping. Those who expose secrets lose others' trust. This warns: preserving reputation requires preserving others' confidences.