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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 30:10 Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/30-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/20_Pro_30_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 30:10 - The Words of Agur" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt." /><script type="application/javascript" 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border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/30-9.htm" title="Proverbs 30:9">◄</a> Proverbs 30:10 <a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm" title="Proverbs 30:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/30.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Do not slander a servant to their master, or they will curse you, and you will pay for it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/30.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Never slander a worker to the employer, or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/30.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/30.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not malign a servant to his master, Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not slander a slave to his master, Lest he curse you and you be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not slander a slave to his master, Lest he curse you and you be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not slander <i>or</i> malign a servant before his master [stay out of another’s personal life], Or he will curse you [for your interference], and you will be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t slander a servant to his master or he will curse you, and you will become guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t slander a servant to his master or he will curse you, and you will become guilty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Slander not a servant unto his master, Lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't tell a slave owner something bad about one of the slaves. That slave will curse you, and you will be in trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Slander not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Do not slander a slave to his master. The slave will curse you, and you will be found guilty."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Never criticize servants to their master. You will be cursed and suffer for it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Don't lie about a servant to his master, or that servant will curse you and you will pay for it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you are found guilty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Don’t slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not accuse a servant to his lord, "" Lest he disapprove of you, and you are found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Accuse not a servant unto his lord, Lest he disesteem thee, and thou be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not slander the servant to his lord lest he shall curse thee, and thou wert guilty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou fall. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not accuse a servant to his lord, lest he curse you, and you fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not criticize servants to their master, lest they curse you, and you have to pay the penalty. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not slander a servant to a master, or the servant will curse you, and you will be held guilty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Do not deliver a slave to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not hand over a Servant to his Master, lest he curse you and you be condemned<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Slander not a servant unto his master, Lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Deliver not a servant into the hands of his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/30-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=6220" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">The Words of Agur</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3960.htm" title="3960: tal·šên (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to lick; but used only as a denominative from lashown; to wag the tongue, i.e. To calumniate.">slander</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘e·ḇeḏ (N-ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">a servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ʾă·ḏō·nō (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">his master,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: yə·qal·lel·ḵā (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms:: 2ms) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">he will curse you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/816.htm" title="816: wə·’ā·šā·mə·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To offend, be guilty. Or mashem; a primitive root; to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish.">and you will bear the guilt.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Exodus 23:1</a></span><br />“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Leviticus 19:16</a></span><br />You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16-19</a></span><br />If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Psalm 15:3</a></span><br />who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Psalm 101:5</a></span><br />Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-19.htm">Proverbs 6:19</a></span><br />a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Proverbs 11:13</a></span><br />A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-5.htm">Proverbs 19:5</a></span><br />A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-9.htm">Proverbs 19:9</a></span><br />A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18</a></span><br />Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a></span><br />If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Matthew 7:1-2</a></span><br />“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-37.htm">Luke 6:37</a></span><br />Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-14.htm">Luke 3:14</a></span><br />Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.</p><p class="hdg">accuse not or hurt not with thy tongue</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-23.htm">Proverbs 24:23</a></b></br> These <i>things</i> also <i>belong</i> to the wise. <i>It is</i> not good to have respect of persons in judgment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15</a></b></br> Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/22-9.htm">1 Samuel 22:9,10</a></b></br> Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub… </p><p class="hdg">lest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-26.htm">Proverbs 11:26</a></b></br> He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing <i>shall be</i> upon the head of him that selleth <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-24.htm">Proverbs 24:24</a></b></br> He that saith unto the wicked, Thou <i>art</i> righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/28-27.htm">Proverbs 28:27</a></b></br> He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/3-30.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-24.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/genesis/27-13.htm">Disesteem</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-27.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-6.htm">Found</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-25.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-9.htm">Held</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Master</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Slander</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Trouble</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/4-4.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/genesis/27-12.htm">Disesteem</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-28.htm">Found</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-23.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-19.htm">Held</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Master</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-7.htm">Slander</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-22.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-7.htm">Trouble</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 30</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm">Agur's confession of his faith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-7.htm">The two points of his prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-10.htm">The meanest are not to be wronged</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Four wicked generations</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Four things insatiable</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">four things exceeding wise</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-29.htm">Four things stately</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Wrath is to be prevented</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In ancient Israel, servants were often part of a household and had specific roles and responsibilities. Slandering a servant could disrupt the household's harmony and lead to unjust treatment. The Bible consistently warns against false testimony (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>) and emphasizes the value of every individual, regardless of social status. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of loving one's neighbor (<a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>) and treating others with fairness and respect (<a href="/james/2.htm">James 2:1-9</a>).<p><b>or he will curse you</b><br>In biblical times, a curse was considered a powerful pronouncement that could bring about misfortune or divine retribution. The servant, feeling wronged, might invoke a curse as a plea for justice. This reflects the biblical theme that God hears the cries of the oppressed and acts on their behalf (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>). The warning here is that unjust actions can lead to consequences, both socially and spiritually.<p><b>and you will bear the guilt</b><br>This phrase underscores personal responsibility for one's actions. In the biblical context, guilt is not just a feeling but a state of being accountable before God and others. The Bible teaches that God is just and holds individuals accountable for their words and deeds (<a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a>). Bearing guilt implies facing the consequences of one's actions, which could include divine judgment or social repercussions. This serves as a reminder of the importance of righteousness and the fear of the Lord, which is a recurring theme in Proverbs.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/servant.htm">Servant</a></b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, a servant was often someone who worked under the authority of a master, either as a hired worker or in a more permanent servitude. The servant's role was crucial in maintaining the household or estate.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/master.htm">Master</a></b><br>The master is the authority figure over the servant. In biblical times, the master had significant control over the servant's life and well-being.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/agur.htm">Agur</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">Proverbs 30</a>, Agur son of Jakeh, is a figure about whom little is known, but he is credited with this collection of sayings that emphasize wisdom and humility.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guard_your_speech.htm">Guard Your Speech</a></b><br>The verse warns against slandering, which involves speaking falsely or maliciously about someone. As Christians, we are called to speak truthfully and lovingly, avoiding gossip and false accusations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_authority_structures.htm">Respect Authority Structures</a></b><br>The relationship between a servant and master in this proverb highlights the importance of respecting established authority structures. Slandering a servant disrupts this order and can lead to conflict and guilt.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consider_the_consequences.htm">Consider the Consequences</a></b><br>The warning that the servant will curse you and you will bear the guilt underscores the idea that our words have consequences. We must be mindful of how our speech can impact others and ourselves.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seek_reconciliation.htm">Seek Reconciliation</a></b><br>If you have wronged someone through slander, seek to make amends. This aligns with the biblical principle of reconciliation and maintaining peace within the community.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_stance_on_slander.htm">What is the Bible's stance on slander?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_laziness.htm">What does the Bible say about laziness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god's_justice_shown_in_matt_25_24-30.htm">How can the harsh judgment on the servant in Matthew 25:24-30 be reconciled with a supposedly just and merciful God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jesus_weep.htm">What does the Bible say about being passive?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/30.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">Accuse not a servant--</span><span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, a slave, thus making his already hard life still more intolerable.<p><span class= "bld">And thou be found guilty </span>before God of having wronged him, and so have to bear the punishment.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Accuse not a servant unto his master.</span> Calumniate, slander not; <span class="greek">μὴ</span> <span class="greek">καταλαλήσης</span>, Theodotion; <span class="greek">μὴ διαβάλης</span>, Symmachus. Do not secretly bring a charge against a man's slave, and make his master suspicious of him; have a kind feeling for those in lowly condition, and do not render their lot more unbearable by insinuating false or frivolous accusations against them. Ewald and others would render, "Entice not a servant to slander his master;" but there is no need so to take the expression, as the hiph. of the verb is used in post-biblical Hebrew in the sense of "to calumniate." The Septuagint has, "Deliver not a servant into the hands of his master," which seems to refer to the treatment of runaway slaves (<a href="/deuteronomy/23-15.htm">Deuteronomy 23:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty,</span> and have to atone for it. The slandered slave imprecates a curse on his slanderer, and, as the latter has incurred vengeance by his word or action, the curse will not fall harmless (<a href="/proverbs/26-2.htm">Proverbs 26:2</a>); God's righteous retribution will overtake him, and he shall suffer for it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/30-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slander</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּלְשֵׁ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(tal·šên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3960.htm">Strong's 3960: </a> </span><span class="str2">To wag the tongue, to calumniate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a servant</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֭בֶד</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·ḇeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his master,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּֽן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will curse you,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְקַלֶּלְךָ֥</span> <span class="translit">(yə·qal·lel·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and you will bear the guilt.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָשָֽׁמְתָּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·šā·mə·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_816.htm">Strong's 816: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be guilty, to be punished, perish</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/30-10.htm">Proverbs 30:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/30-10.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:10 Don't slander a servant to his master (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/30-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 30:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 30:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 30:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 30:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>