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לָעַג

𐤋𐤏𐤂

lâʻag

H3932 verb

SILEX Entry

Root לעג to mock, ridicule, imitate scornfully

Definition

To mock, to speak or act with ridicule or scorn; to deride, especially by mimicking another’s speech or mannerisms in a derogatory way. The word often denotes verbal expressions intended to humiliate or diminish the dignity of another, sometimes by imitating foreign speech in a mocking manner, or by making stammering or unintelligible sounds. In extended use, it covers public displays of contempt, ridicule, or scorn, whether verbal or physical.

Semantic Range

to mock, to deride, to ridicule by mimicking, to have in derision, to laugh (to scorn), to make unintelligible or stammering speech, to treat contemptuously

Root / Etymology

Root ל-ע-ג (lamed-ayin-gimel), meaning 'to mock' or 'ridicule.' The verb לָעַג is a primary denominative from this root, expressing the notion of derisive behavior through words or gestures. The noun form לַעַג also means 'mockery' or 'derision.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb לָעַג is attested primarily in contexts where individuals or groups are subject to scorn or ridicule by others (e.g., enemy nations, social outcasts, or prophets). Notably, the verb sometimes focuses on mocking through speech, particularly by mimicking or distorting language, suggesting foreignness or incomprehensibility. This nuance is evident in Isaiah 28:11, where the root is associated with 'stammering lips.' The cultural context of mockery as a collective social act is important, especially in communal laments or prophetic denunciations. English translations such as 'mock,' 'deride,' or 'scoff' generally capture the core sense, but may sometimes obscure the nuance of mimicked foreign speech or communicative alienation. While the KJV renders some instances as 'laugh to scorn,' the underlying Hebrew may connote deeper, more public social ridicule. The use of לָעַג is fairly consistent throughout the biblical periods, with its semantic scope stable from early monarchic literature through post-exilic texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly; have in derision, laugh (to scorn), mock (on), stammering.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לעג (l-ʿ-g) — mocking, ridicule, derisive imitation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3933 לַעַג the mockery
H3934 לָעֵג with mockers of

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3932-12 יִלְעַג yileag HVqi3ms he mocks he mocks 3
H3932-03 לֹעֵ֥ג loeg HVqrmsa mocking mocking one 2
H3932-02 לָעֲגָ֣ה laagah HVqp3fs and scorns she mocked 2
H3932-06 תִּ֝לְעַ֗ג tileag HVqi2ms that mocks you mock 2
H3932-05 תַלְעִֽיג taleig HVhi2ms you may mock you will make a mockery 1
H3932-07 וּ/מַלְעִגִ֖ים umaleigim HC/Vhrmpa and mocking those causing mockery 1
H3932-11 יַלְעִ֣גוּ yaleigu HVhi3mp mock they will make mockery 1
H3932-04 נִלְעַ֥ג nileag HVNsmsc stammering one being mocked 1
H3932-09 וַ/יַּלְעֵ֖ג vayaleeg HC/Vhw3ms and he mocked he caused to mock 1
H3932-08 וַ֝/תִּלְעַ֗ג vatileag HC/Vqw2ms and you mock and you mocked 1

Occurrences in Scripture

18 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3932-02 2 Kings 19:21 לָעֲגָ֣ה laagah HVqp3fs and scorns she mocked
H3932-04 Isaiah 33:19 נִלְעַ֥ג nileag HVNsmsc stammering one being mocked
H3932-02 Isaiah 37:22 לָעֲגָ֣ה laagah HVqp3fs has mocked she mocked
H3932-03 Jeremiah 20:7 לֹעֵ֥ג loeg HVqrmsa mocking mocking one
H3932-12 Psalms 2:4 יִלְעַג yileag HVqi3ms scoffs he mocks
H3932-11 Psalms 22:8 יַלְעִ֣גוּ yaleigu HVhi3mp mock they will make mockery
H3932-06 Psalms 59:9 תִּ֝לְעַ֗ג tileag HVqi2ms will mock you mock
H3932-13 Psalms 80:7 יִלְעֲגוּ yileagu HVqi3mp mock they will mock
H3932-01 Proverbs 1:26 אֶ֝לְעַ֗ג eleag HVqi1cs will mock I will mock
H3932-03 Proverbs 17:5 לֹעֵ֣ג loeg HVqrmsa mocks mocking one
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