Bible Dictionary

Tale

Other • Both

“Tale” can mean a number or measured amount, as in the required tally of bricks. In Psalm 90:9 it refers to a brief utterance, sigh, or meditation; in the New Testament, idle tales mean empty or nonsensical reports.

Definition

In older biblical English, “tale” may mean a number or full tally, especially a measured task such as the required number of bricks. In another usage it denotes a thought, whisper, sigh, or meditation. In the New Testament, “idle tales” means nonsensical talk.

Biblical Usage

Pharaoh demanded the full tale of bricks from Israel. The word in Psalm 90:9 is probably “a sigh” or “a murmur,” rather than a story. The women’s report of the resurrection was called idle talk by the disciples. Related language also describes slanderous gossip.

Historical Background

The older English word could mean counting or reckoning, as in “tell” meaning to number. Its translation in Psalm 90:9 is uncertain, with ancient versions rendering it as a spider’s web and other interpreters understanding it as a sigh or murmur.

Scripture References

Exodus 5:18 1 Samuel 18:27 1 Chronicles 9:28 Ezekiel 45:11 Psalms 90:9 Job 37:2 Ezekiel 2:10

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Heb. tokhen, “a task,” as weighed and measured out = tally, i.e., the number told off; the full number (Ex. 5:18; see 1 Sam. 18:27; 1 Chr. 9:28). In Ezek. 45:11 rendered “measure.” (2.) Heb. hegeh, “a thought;” “meditation” (Ps. 90:9); meaning properly “as a whisper of sadness,” which is soon over, or “as a thought.” The LXX. and Vulgate render it “spider;” the Authorized Version and Revised Version, “as a tale” that is told. In Job 37:2 this word is rendered “sound;” Revised Version margin, “muttering;” and in Ezek. 2:10, “mourning.”

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

tal (tokhen, mithkoneth, micpar; leros): In the King James Version of the Old Testament (with one exception, Ps 90:9) "tale" (in the sing.) means number. "Tell" often has the same meaning, e.g. "I may tell (i.e. reckon) all my bones" (Ps 22:17). When Moses requested permission to go three days' journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to Yahweh, Pharaoh replied by demanding the full "tale" of bricks from the Israelites although they were compelled to provide themselves with straw (Ex 5:8,18; see also 1Sa 18:27; 1Ch 9:28). In Ps 90:9, "as a tale that is told" is a doubtful rendering (see GAMES). The Septuagint and the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) render "as a spider's web." The literal and perhaps accurate translation is "as a sigh" (Driver, in the Parallel Psalter, gives "as a murmur"). The word used in this psalm means "to whisper," or "speak sotto voce," as a devout believer repeats to himself the words of a favorite hymn or passage (Ps 1:2).The disciples considered the account given by the women in regard to the resurrection as "idle tales" (the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "idle talk"), literally, "nonsensical talk" (Lu 24:11).In talebearer the word has another meaning, namely, "slanderous talk or gossip." The word occurs 5 times in Pr 11:13; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20,22 (the King James Version) and once in Leviticus (19:16). The word used in Leviticus and also in Pr 20:19 means a person who gads about from house to house hawking malicious gossip (compare 1Ti 5:13). From the same root comes the Hebrew word for "merchant." In Eze 22:9 for the King James Version "men that carry tales" the Revised Version (British and American) gives "slanderous men," as Doeg (1Sa 22:9,22); Ziba (2Sa 16:3; 19:27); and a certain maid-servant (2Sa 17:17).See SLANDER.T. Lewis

Back to Dictionary Search