עִלֵּג
stuttering
Definition
The Hebrew noun עִלֵּג (ʻillêg) refers to a person who stutters or stammers, describing a speech impediment characterized by involuntary repetition or prolongation of sounds and difficulty in articulation. In its single biblical occurrence, it describes a condition of impaired, unclear speech. The word is used in a prophetic context in Isaiah 32:4, contrasting the confused speech of the foolish with the future clarity of speech that will characterize God's renewed people. There are no other distinct senses or meanings for this word in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 32:4. It appears in a prophetic oracle describing a future time of restoration and righteousness under a coming king. The verse contrasts the present state, where the 'heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers (עִלֵּג) will be ready to speak plainly.' Its usage is specifically to depict a transformation from unclear, impeded communication to fluent and clear speech as part of God's redemptive work.
Etymology
The noun עִלֵּג (ʻillêg) is derived from an unused Hebrew root (עלג) that signifies stammering or stuttering. It is a primary noun describing the condition or the person characterized by that speech pattern. Cognate words exist in other Semitic languages, such as Arabic and Aramaic, with similar meanings related to speaking thickly, slowly, or with difficulty.
Semantic Range
While describing a physical condition, this word carries theological weight in its context. In Isaiah 32:4, the 'stammerer' represents a state of spiritual and communicative confusion that God will heal in the messianic age. The transformation from stammering to clear speech symbolizes the broader restoration of understanding, justice, and truthful proclamation under God's righteous rule. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by highlighting speech clarity as a sign of God's renewing work among his people.
In the ancient Near East, clear and eloquent speech was highly valued, often associated with wisdom, authority, and divine favor. A speech impediment like stammering could be seen as a social handicap or even a sign of divine disfavor. Isaiah's prophecy subverts this by promising that God himself will grant clear speech to those previously hindered, emphasizing that true communicative power comes from God's transformative action, not innate human ability.
לַעַג (laʻag, H3934) — denotes mocking or derisive speech, focusing on the intent of the speaker rather than a physical impediment.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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