לוּעַ
𐤋𐤅𐤏
lûwaʻ
H3886 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To swallow, gulp, or devour (especially with the throat); figuratively, to consume quickly or behave rashly by not considering consequences. The verb describes the act of swallowing in a physical sense—especially with a sense of greediness or lack of restraint—and metaphorically refers to acting or speaking impetuously without due reflection.
Semantic Range
to swallow (physically), to gulp down, to devour greedily, to consume rapidly, to act rashly (figuratively), to speak or decide impetuously
Root / Etymology
Root לוּע, which in Semitic languages refers to swallowing, devouring, or gulping. The likely core meaning is to swallow or engulf, especially with the throat or gullet. The root is attested only rarely in Biblical Hebrew, with cognates found in some other Semitic languages carrying the sense of swallowing or devouring.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Biblical usages of לוּעַ occur rarely and often in poetic or metaphorical settings, such as Proverbs 20:25, where it conveys the idea of acting or speaking rashly, and Isaiah 28:7, where the imagery of swallowing or gulping is tied to indulgence or lack of restraint. The word does not have the broad semantic range of other Hebrew roots for 'eat' (e.g., אכל) or 'devour' (e.g., בלע), but instead focuses on the manner and impulsiveness of swallowing. In Rabbinic literature, the concept is sometimes tied to speech or vows made hastily, extending the figurative meaning. Standard translations like 'swallow' or 'gulp' may not fully capture the rashness or recklessness implied when used metaphorically. The nuance of physical swallowing versus figurative impetuosity should be observed in context. No major development in basic meaning occurs between pre-exilic and post-exilic periods due to the rarity of the word.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to gulp; figuratively, to be rash; swallow down (up).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לוע (l-w-ʿ) — to swallow, to gulp, to devour
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3930 | לֹעַ | in your gullet |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3886-02 |
וְ/לָע֔וּ | velau | HC/Vqq3cp |
and gulp down | and they swallowed | 1 |
H3886-01 |
לָֽעוּ | lau | HVqp3cp |
have been rash | they gulped down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3886-02 |
Obadiah 1:16 | וְ/לָע֔וּ | velau | HC/Vqq3cp |
and gulp down | and they swallowed |
H3886-01 |
Job 6:3 | לָֽעוּ | lau | HVqp3cp |
have been rash | they gulped down |