Psalms 50:20
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
Original Language Analysis
תֵּ֭שֵׁב
Thou sittest
H3427
תֵּ֭שֵׁב
Thou sittest
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּאָחִ֣יךָ
against thy brother
H251
בְּאָחִ֣יךָ
against thy brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
2 of 7
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
תְדַבֵּ֑ר
and speakest
H1696
תְדַבֵּ֑ר
and speakest
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 7
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּבֶֽן
son
H1121
בְּבֶֽן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 7
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אִ֝מְּךָ֗
thine own mother's
H517
אִ֝מְּךָ֗
thine own mother's
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
5 of 7
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
Historical Context
Family solidarity was fundamental to Israelite society. Slandering one's own brother violated the deepest bonds of loyalty and obligation, indicating profound moral corruption.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is slander within family particularly grievous?
- How does 'sitting and speaking' indicate deliberate, ongoing malice?
Analysis & Commentary
Family betrayal: 'Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.' Even family bonds don't prevent the wicked person's malicious speech. 'Sitting and speaking' suggests deliberate, leisured gossip, not momentary outbursts. The closest relationships suffer their destructive tongue.