nir.gan denotes a person whose words damage close relationships, sustain quarrels, and enter deeply into others.

The term consistently denotes a person characterized by harmful speech: in the supplied Proverbs, this person separates close friends, contributes to ongoing quarreling, and speaks words portrayed as entering the inner chambers.

1. A speaker whose words harm relationships · dominant

   All four occurrences use a Niphal participle, masculine singular, in portrayals of a person defined by speech. In Proverbs 16:28 the APB renders the clause "a whisperer separates close friends"; in Proverbs 26:20 it says that without such a person "quarreling ceases." Proverbs 18:8 and Proverbs 26:22 portray this person's words as going down into the inner chambers of the belly.

   Proverbs 16:28Proverbs 18:8Proverbs 26:20Proverbs 26:22

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the person as "a whisperer" in Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 18:8, and Proverbs 26:22, and as "a gossip" in Proverbs 26:20. These labels confirm the verses' portrayal rather than establish separate meanings.