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לָחַךְ

𐤋𐤇𐤊

lâchak

H3897 verb

SILEX Entry

Root לחך to lick, to consume, to devour

Definition

To lick, to pass the tongue over a surface in order to consume or taste; by extension, to consume or devour, often in the sense of swallowing up or removing thoroughly. Used both in reference to animals (literal licking) and metaphorically of fire, swords, or military defeat as consuming or destroying entirely.

Semantic Range

to lick with the tongue, to lap up (liquid), to consume or devour thoroughly (fire, sword), to destroy by consumption, to drink in

Root / Etymology

Root לָחַךְ (lachak) derives from the Hebrew root לחך, denoting the action of licking or consuming with the tongue. The verb form shows basic Qal usages and occasional figurative extensions. There is no evidence of borrowing from other Semitic languages; the root appears native to Hebrew, with cognates attested in other Semitic languages carrying similar meanings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, לָחַךְ is used in literal contexts (e.g. an animal licking up water, 1 Kings 21:19, 24) and in vivid metaphors (e.g. fire licking up sacrifice, Isaiah 49:26). The image is one of thorough consumption, suggesting not only the physical act but also, figuratively, the idea of complete destruction or removal (as fire licks up or as a sword 'licks up' blood in battle contexts). English translations often render the verb as 'lick', but in metaphorical passages, 'devour' or 'consume' may better convey the Hebrew nuance. The word never means to taste lightly or test, but rather always refers to an act of taking in or eradicating thoroughly. Over time, the imagery was preserved, and the figurative sense expanded where the context evokes devastating effects, particularly in prophetic and poetic texts.

Translation Consistency

primary "lick" 5 occurrences

Most common and natural rendering for both literal (tongue) uses and the common metaphorical sense (fire, sword, defeat "licking" or "licking up" what it consumes). "Lick" is simple, idiomatic English and fits the typical range of H3897 better than more formal alternatives like "consume" or "devour."

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"she-devoured thoroughly" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to lick; lick (up).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לחך (l-ḥ-k) — to lick, to consume, to devour

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3897-03 יְלַחֲכ֤וּ yelachakhu HVpi3mp shall lick up they will lick up they will lick up 2
H3897-04 יְלַחֵ֑כוּ yelachekhu HVpi3mp shall lick they will lick up they will lick up 2
H3897-01 כִּ/לְחֹ֣ךְ kilechokhe HR/Vqc like the licking of to lick like the licking of 1
H3897-02 לִחֵֽכָה lichekhah HVpp3fs that was in the trench she-devoured thoroughly she-devoured thoroughly 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3897-03 Numbers 22:4 יְלַחֲכ֤וּ yelachakhu HVpi3mp shall lick up they will lick up they will lick up
H3897-01 Numbers 22:4 כִּ/לְחֹ֣ךְ kilechokhe HR/Vqc like the licking of to lick like the licking of
H3897-02 1 Kings 18:38 לִחֵֽכָה lichekhah HVpp3fs that was in the trench she-devoured thoroughly she-devoured thoroughly
H3897-04 Isaiah 49:23 יְלַחֵ֑כוּ yelachekhu HVpi3mp they-will-lick they will lick up they will lick up
H3897-03 Micah 7:17 יְלַחֲכ֤וּ yelachakhu HVpi3mp they will lick they will lick up they will lick up
H3897-04 Psalms 72:9 יְלַחֵֽכוּ yelachekhu HVpi3mp shall lick they will lick up they will lick up
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