לָשַׁן
to wag the tongue, i.e. to calumniate
Definition
The Hebrew verb לָשַׁן (lâshan) means to use the tongue for harmful speech, specifically to slander or accuse someone falsely. It describes the act of maliciously wagging the tongue to spread damaging reports about another person. In its two biblical occurrences, it carries the sense of making a false accusation or engaging in defamatory gossip. The word inherently implies speech that is deceitful and destructive to relationships and reputations.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in poetic wisdom literature. In Psalm 101:5, King David declares his commitment to righteous rule, stating he will destroy 'him that secretly slanders (lâshan) his neighbor.' This context highlights the covert and treacherous nature of the act. In Proverbs 30:10, the sage warns, 'Accuse not (lâshan) a servant unto his master,' presenting it as a reckless action that can bring a curse upon the accuser. Both uses condemn the act as socially destructive and morally wrong.
Etymology
לָשַׁן is a primitive root that originally meant 'to lick.' However, in biblical Hebrew, it is used exclusively as a denominative verb derived from the noun לָשׁוֹן (lâshôn, H3956), meaning 'tongue.' Thus, its meaning developed from the physical action of the tongue to the metaphorical action performed by it—specifically, harmful speech. This connection emphasizes that the tongue is the instrument of the slanderous act.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it addresses the serious biblical ethics of speech. Slander (lâshan) is portrayed as a sin that violates the command to love one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:16) and disrupts community peace. It is associated with deceit and is condemned in wisdom literature as foolish and destructive. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of passages like Psalm 101:5, revealing God's desire for leaders and communities to actively oppose malicious gossip, protecting truth and justice.
In ancient Israelite culture, oral communication was primary, and one's reputation within the close-knit community was paramount. An accusation or slander (lâshan) could irreparably damage a person's social standing and livelihood, as there were limited means for public redress. Such speech was considered a grave offense because it undermined social trust and harmony. The specific warning in Proverbs 30:10 about slandering a servant reflects the vulnerable position of servants, who had little recourse against false claims from outsiders.
רָכִיל (râkîl, H7400) — to go about as a talebearer or slanderer, often involving going from person to person. דִּבָּה (dibbâh, H1681) — a defamatory report or evil whisper, the content of the slander rather than the act.
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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