CALUMNY
Or false testimony, is strongly condemned by the Law. Those guilty of this crime had to suffer the penalty that they had tried to inflict on the slandered person (Deut. 19:16-18).
If it meant defamation against someone’s character, public compensation was to be given (Lev. 6:4). The Talmud states: “The slanderer destroys the reputation of his victims and will be forced to expatriate.”
The prophets attack slander (Is. 59:13; Ezek. 22), as well as other books (Prov. 10:18, etc.).
The Christian is exhorted, however, to pray and to forgive his persecutors and slanderers (Lk. 6:28; cp. 1 Pet. 3:16).