לָאָה

לָאָה

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

Definition

The Hebrew verb לָאָה (lâʼâh) primarily means 'to be weary' or 'to become tired,' describing physical exhaustion, as when the men of Sodom were struck with blindness and 'wearied themselves' trying to find Lot's door (Genesis 19:11). Figuratively, it extends to emotional and spiritual weariness, expressing disgust or loathing, such as when God declares His soul is 'weary' of Israel's insincere worship (Isaiah 1:14). In some contexts, it describes causing weariness in others, as in Job 16:7 where Job says God has 'wearied' his family. The word captures a progression from physical fatigue to profound aversion.

Biblical Usage

לָאָה is used 18 times across narrative, poetic, and prophetic books. It appears in narratives for physical exhaustion (Genesis 19:11; Exodus 7:18). In wisdom literature (Job, Proverbs), it often describes emotional or relational weariness (Job 4:2, 5; Proverbs 26:15). Prophetic books, especially Isaiah, use it for God's profound displeasure with ritualistic sin (Isaiah 1:14). The Psalms employ it for communal exhaustion relieved by God's provision (Psalm 68:9). A pattern emerges: earlier uses are more physical, while later poetic/prophetic uses emphasize internal, spiritual fatigue.

Etymology

לָאָה is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. Cognates exist in related Semitic languages like Arabic and Aramaic with similar meanings of 'to be weary' or 'to tire.' The root concept is physical fatigue, which naturally extended in Hebrew to metaphorical senses of disgust or loathing due to the draining effect of prolonged, unpleasant experiences.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it portrays the relational strain of sin. When used of God (Isaiah 1:14), it reveals His holy aversion to empty religiosity, emphasizing that worship without justice and righteousness is exhausting to Him. For humans, it describes the consequence of striving without God (Job 16:7) or the exhaustion of wickedness (Proverbs 26:15). Understanding לָאָה enriches reading by highlighting how biblical authors connect physical weariness with spiritual condition, pointing to our need for God's sustaining grace, as in Psalm 68:9. In an ancient agrarian and labor-intensive society, physical weariness was a daily, tangible reality. The extension of this term to emotional and spiritual realms would have been immediately understood—constant hardship, oppressive relationships, or futile tasks were as draining as physical toil. The concept of God becoming 'weary' (Isaiah 1:14) uses this human experience to powerfully communicate divine displeasure in terms relatable to the original audience. יָגַע (yāgaʿ, H3021) — focuses more on the labor or toil that produces weariness. עָיֵף (ʿāyēp̄, H5889) — describes the state of being faint or weary, often from thirst or journeying. יָעַף (yāʿap̄, H3286) — similar to עָיֵף, meaning to be weary or fatigued.

Word Details