לָעֵג
a buffoon; also a foreigner
Definition
The Hebrew noun לָעֵג (lâʻêg) primarily denotes a 'mocker' or 'scorner'—someone who derides others with contemptuous speech. In Psalm 35:16, it describes malicious mockers who gnash their teeth at the psalmist in a context of false accusation and hostility. A secondary meaning, derived from the associated idea of unintelligible speech, is 'stammering' or 'foreign language,' as seen in Isaiah 28:11, where it refers to the incomprehensible speech of Assyrian invaders, which God will use to judge His people.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts. In Psalm 35:16, it appears in a lament, describing the vicious mockery of David's enemies. In Isaiah 28:11, it is used prophetically to describe the 'stammering lips' (i.e., a foreign language) of the Assyrian conquerors, which will be a sign of judgment against Judah. The usage thus spans from personal derision to a national symbol of divine rebuke.
Etymology
לָעֵג (lâʻêg) is derived from the root verb לָעַג (lāʿag, H3932), meaning 'to mock, deride, or stammer.' The noun form inherits this dual sense, capturing both the person who mocks and the resulting unintelligible or foreign speech. Cognates in other Semitic languages also carry meanings related to mocking or speaking incoherently.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights God's perspective on scorn and His sovereignty in judgment. Mockery is portrayed as a serious sin against both people (Psalm 35:16) and God, often associated with pride and rebellion. In Isaiah 28:11, the 'stammering lips' illustrate God's ironic judgment: using the incomprehensible language of a foreign power to discipline His own people who refused to understand His clear prophetic warnings. Understanding this term enriches the reading of these passages by connecting human contempt with divine justice.
In ancient Israelite culture, mocking speech was not merely rude but a profound social and religious offense, attacking a person's honor and standing. The association of mocking with 'foreign language' in Isaiah 28:11 reflects the Israelite view of unfamiliar languages as signs of confusion, alienation, and divine disfavor, especially when used by conquering empires.
לֵץ (lēṣ, H3887) — a scoffer or arrogant mocker, often with a focus on rejecting wisdom and correction. בּוּז (bûz, H936) — to despise or hold in contempt, a broader term for disdain.
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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