לַחַשׁ
properly, a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation; concretely
Definition
The Hebrew noun לַחַשׁ (lachash) fundamentally means 'a whisper' or 'a murmuring sound.' In the Bible, it develops two distinct meanings based on context. In a positive, spiritual sense, it refers to a whispered, private prayer, as seen in Isaiah 26:16, where people whisper a prayer in distress. In a negative, magical sense, it denotes a whispered incantation or charm, used by a snake charmer (Ecclesiastes 10:11) or in the context of divination and enchantment (Jeremiah 8:17). Concretely, it can also refer to an amulet or charm worn for protection, likely inscribed with such whispers (Isaiah 3:20).
Biblical Usage
לַחַשׁ is used five times in the Old Testament, primarily in poetic and prophetic books. Its usage clearly splits between the concepts of prayer and magic. The 'prayer' sense appears only in Isaiah 26:16. The 'magical incantation' or 'charm' sense is found in Ecclesiastes 10:11 (snake charming), Jeremiah 8:17 (serpent's venom), and Isaiah 3:3 (a skilled enchanter). The concrete object, an 'amulet' or 'earring' with magical connotations, is found in Isaiah 3:20, listed among the finery of the women of Zion.
Etymology
לַחַשׁ is a noun derived from the root verb לָחַשׁ (lachash, H3907), which means 'to whisper' or 'to murmur.' This root conveys the idea of soft, secretive speech. The noun form carries this core idea into its various applications, whether the intimate whisper of prayer to God or the secret murmur of a magical spell.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights a biblical contrast between legitimate and illegitimate spiritual practices. The 'whispered prayer' represents humble, personal communion with the one true God. The 'whispered incantation' represents humanity's attempt to manipulate spiritual forces through secret knowledge or power, which Scripture consistently condemns (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Understanding this range of meaning enriches reading by clarifying whether a passage is endorsing heartfelt prayer or denouncing occult practices.
In the ancient Near East, whispered spells and incantations were a common part of folk magic and divination. Amulets inscribed with such whispers were widely worn for protection, health, or success. Isaiah 3:20 reflects this common practice. The biblical authors use this culturally understood term but consistently frame the magical use negatively, contrasting it with the proper, covenantal relationship with Yahweh established through prayer and obedience.
תְּפִלָּה (tephillah, H8605) — The common, general word for 'prayer,' not specifically whispered. כֶּשֶׁף (kesheph, H3784) — Sorcery or witchcraft, a broader term for magical arts, while לַחַשׁ specifies the whispered spell component. נֶחָשִׁים (nechashim, H5172) — Divination or enchantment, often involving omens, overlapping with the magical sense of לַחַשׁ.
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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