Bible Dictionary
Tale
“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.
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.
Scripture References