Slander and foot?
When the Psalm describes a person who “does not slander with his tongue,” it does so in an incredibly vivid way. English Bible translations do not fully capture this nuance. The verb for “slander” in Hebrew is רָגַל (ragal). It shares its root with the noun רֶגֶל (regel) which means... “foot.”
The word for “foot solider” or a member of the infantry is רַגְלִי (ragli). Many words in Hebrew can originate from this basic root. For example, the three “pilgrim feasts” in the Bible are called רְגָלִים (regalim), literally holidays for which “one travels on foot.” Finally, one word for “spies” in Hebrew is מְרַגְּלִים (meraglim), someone who “scouts on foot.” But what do “feet” have to do with slanderous speech? There is a clear connection, but it can only be seen in Hebrew.
Walking all over someone!
The psalmist’s answer begins by describing a person who “walks with integrity” (Ps 15:2). And this “walk” includes thoughts, speech, and actions that can lead to slander, scorn, and contempt (15:3). The slanderer literally walks all over someone’s reputation with their tongue; slandering is like trampling another person underfoot! This is the mental image of slander which the Hebrew verb paints; something much more egregious than some false statements, and much weightier than a denigrating remark. To slander other people is to tread upon their very personhood!
The "Weight" of the Bible
Instead of "walking all over someone," the Psalms inspire us to declare, "I walk in your faithfulness" (Ps 26:3). The Hebrew language, in particular, adds layers of meaning that are often unseen in English translations. In Hebrew, words carry the weight of actions, thoughts, and intentions, revealing how deeply interconnected our behaviors are with the spiritual and moral consequences they produce.
Hebrew and the Hebraic World
Do you enjoy digging deeper into Scripture? Open the world of the Hebrew Bible even wider by learning how to read Hebrew and understand the Hebraic world of the Scriptures. Learn more about unseen connections, meanings, hints, and links, where the Bible tells a much deeper and more nuanced story than the one we see in translation. Join our learning community, dive into the Jewish Context and Culture Program, and encounter the original text of Israel’s Scriptures.
