Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
A talebearer revealeth secrets,.... The Arabic version adds, in the congregation, openly and publicly; that goes about with tales from place to place, who is like a walking merchant or peddler, as the word {l} signifies; who takes up his wares at one place, and exposes them to sale, and vends them at another; so a talebearer, he goes from house to house, and picks up tales at one place and carries them to another and tells them; and as by his going about he gets into the secrets of persons and families, or is intrusted with them, his character not being known, he reveals them to others, and so breaks the trust committed to him see 1 Timothy 5:13. The Targum and Syriac version render it "an accuser"; and the same name is given to the devil in the New Testament, and indeed such a man is no better;
but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter; that is "faithful" to his friend, that trusts him with his secrets, of which there are but few; he "conceals the matter" he is entrusted with: "the things", as the Septuagint version; the secrets which are imparted to him; or "the word" {m} that he has heard, and has been spoken to him in privacy, and in strict friendship: or he "covers the matter" {n} or thing; he hides the infirmities of his friend and neighbour, and does not expose them as the talebearer does; see 1 Peter 4:8.
{l} lykr Klwh "obambulat ut mercator", Tigurine version; "qui incedit nundinator", Schultens.
{m} rbd "verbum", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Baynus.
{n} rbd hokm "tegit rem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "velat negotium", Schultens.