לָחַשׁ
to whisper; by implication, to mumble aspell (as a magician)
Definition
The Hebrew verb לָחַשׁ (lâchash) fundamentally means 'to whisper' or 'to speak softly.' In its biblical usage, this whispering is often associated with the secretive, murmured incantations of a magician or sorcerer, implying the casting of a spell (Psalm 58:5). It can also describe the act of whispering together in a conspiratorial or secretive manner, as seen when David's servants whisper together about his condition (2 Samuel 12:19). In Psalm 41:7, the word describes people whispering maliciously, plotting against the psalmist. Thus, the term consistently conveys hushed, private, and often illicit or harmful speech.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only three times in the Old Testament, always in poetic or narrative contexts involving secrecy or malevolence. In 2 Samuel 12:19, it describes David's servants whispering to each other upon seeing his reaction to his child's death. In Psalm 41:7, it depicts enemies whispering together, plotting harm. In Psalm 58:5, it is used metaphorically for the enchanters who 'charm' or whisper spells, likening the wicked to serpent charmers. The usage pattern shows it applies to both literal, hushed conversation and the metaphorical 'whispering' of magical incantations.
Etymology
לָחַשׁ is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to a low, murmuring sound. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian laḫāšu ('to whisper an incantation'), reinforcing the strong association with magical practices. The Hebrew noun לַחַשׁ (laḥash, H3908) means 'whispering' or 'incantation,' directly derived from this verb.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the biblical contrast between seeking power through forbidden, occult practices (like the whispered spells of Psalm 58:5) and relying on the power and word of God. It underscores the seriousness of witchcraft and divination, which are condemned in the Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing the secretive, insidious nature of both social conspiracies and spiritual rebellion against God's authority.
In the ancient Near Eastern cultural context, whispering was intrinsically linked to magic and sorcery. Magicians and enchanters were believed to wield power through secret formulas and murmured incantations, a practice well-attested in surrounding cultures like Egypt and Mesopotamia. The biblical use of לָחַשׁ taps into this common understanding, using the image of the serpent charmer's whispered spell (Psalm 58:5) as a powerful metaphor for the deceptive and venomous speech of the wicked.
חָשַׁב (chāshav, H2803) — to think, plan, or devise; focuses on the internal thought behind speech, whereas לָחַשׁ focuses on the hushed, audible utterance. דִּבֵּר (dibbēr, H1696) — to speak; a general term for speech, lacking the secretive or magical connotations of לָחַשׁ.
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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