לוּעַ
to gulp; figuratively, to be rash
Definition
The Hebrew verb לוּעַ (lûwaʻ) means 'to gulp down' or 'to swallow greedily.' In its literal sense, it describes the physical act of swallowing, often with haste or in large quantities. This literal meaning is vividly used in Job 6:3, where Job laments that his calamity is heavier than the sand of the sea, implying it would be 'swallowed down' without a thought. Figuratively, the word extends to describe rash, impulsive, or arrogant behavior, as seen in Obadiah 1:16, where the nations 'swallow down' (drink) on God's holy mountain, symbolizing their presumptuous and careless actions that will lead to judgment.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in poetic or prophetic contexts. In Job 6:3, it is used literally in a metaphorical comparison to express overwhelming calamity. In Obadiah 1:16, it is used figuratively within a prophecy of judgment against Edom and the nations, depicting them as drinking (i.e., acting arrogantly) on Mount Zion. The pattern shows a movement from a concrete physical action to a metaphorical description of moral or spiritual recklessness.
Etymology
לוּעַ is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. It is related to the act of swallowing. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic and Aramaic, with similar meanings of 'swallowing' or 'devouring,' reinforcing its core sense of consuming hastily.
Semantic Range
This word, though rare, contributes to themes of divine justice and human presumption. In Obadiah 1:16, it illustrates the concept that arrogant nations who act rashly against God's people will themselves 'drink' and be judged. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by highlighting the link between careless, gluttonous action and impending retribution, emphasizing that God judges not only evil deeds but the arrogant spirit behind them.
In the ancient Near East, 'swallowing' or 'gulping' could symbolize not just consumption but also overwhelming force or disrespect, especially in contexts of feasting or warfare. The figurative use in Obadiah likely draws on the imagery of victorious nations reveling and drinking in a conquered sacred space, an act of profound cultural and religious insult.
בלע (bālaʻ, H1104) — a more common verb for 'to swallow,' often with a sense of destruction or making disappear. לעס (lāʻas, H3937) — to chew or grind, focusing on the preparatory action before swallowing.
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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