Proverbs 18:8

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds - `piercing' like a 'sword,' (Proverbs 12:18; cf. margin). [The participle in the Hebrew stands for a noun, from laaham (H3859), by metathesis for haalam, to wound]. Or, 'as blandishments' (from the Hebrew, laham, to blandish). Maurer, 'As delicate morsels,' from a root laham, 'eagerly to swallow.' (Compare Psalms 55:21.) They insinuate themselves under a smooth appearance, but - "they go down into the innermost parts of the belly".

They go down into the innermost parts of the belly. The talebearer's story wounds at once him whom he detracts and him before whom he utters the detraction. Though the hearer may seem to make light of it, yet the poison 'goes down' deeply, and leaves in him a suspicion, distrust, dislike.