לָאַט
𐤋𐤀𐤈
lâʼaṭ
H3813 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To cover, to muffle, to act covertly or softly. The verb denotes the act of covering or veiling an object, often to obscure it from view or perception, or the act of muffling a sound or action as to render it quiet or concealed. In some contexts, it may imply acting in a secretive or surreptitious manner.
Semantic Range
to cover, to muffle, to act covertly, to disguise oneself, to obscure, to act softly or surreptitiously
Root / Etymology
Root: לָאַט. The root suggests covering, muffling, or acting in a manner that lessens visibility or audibility. The literal sense is 'to cover,' but it is often used in idioms or poetic passages to indicate subtlety or secrecy. Not directly attested elsewhere in Hebrew, and its precise relationship to other Semitic roots is debated. There is no clear etymological connection with more common Hebrew roots for 'cover' such as כסה (kasah) or סתר (satar), suggesting לָאַט represents a more specialized or archaic nuance of covering or concealment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
לָאַט is a rare verb, attested only a few times in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., 1 Samuel 28:8, where Saul disguises himself by 'covering'). Its usages tend to have a sense of stealth or intentional concealment, rather than the general or physical act of hiding. Later Hebrew and Rabbinic literature do not substantially expand its meaning, and it remains a somewhat literary or poetic verb. Standard English translations may render it as 'in disguise,' 'covertly,' or 'stealthily,' but these often miss the nuance of muffling or veiling action suggested in the original. Not to be confused with more common words for 'cover'—לָאַט implies an intentional decrease in perceptibility, not mere physical concealment.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to muffle; cover.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לאט (l-ʾ-ṭ) — covering, muffling, covert action, soft concealment
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3814 | לָאט | in muffled secrecy |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3813-01 |
לָאַ֣ט | laat | HVqp3ms |
went slowly | he muffled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3813-01 |
2 Samuel 19:5 | לָאַ֣ט | laat | HVqp3ms |
went slowly | he muffled |