מָלַץ
𐤌𐤋𐤑
mâlats
H4452 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be smooth or slippery. By extension, to speak with smoothness or flattery, often implying deception or persuasion through pleasing words; rarely, to be or make pleasant (in speech or manner), but primarily associated with language that is polished to conceal intent.
Semantic Range
to be smooth, to be slippery, to speak smoothly or flatteringly, to entice with smooth words, to persuade through flattery, to make pleasant (rare)
Root / Etymology
Root: מ-ל-ץ. The root indicates the notion of smoothness or slipperiness. The verb מָלַץ (mālatz) is derived directly from this root, carrying the sense of smoothness, both literally (slippery) and especially metaphorically (smooth talk, flattery).
Historical & Contextual Notes
מָלַץ appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Proverbs 7:5, 29:5), primarily denoting speech that is 'smooth' in a negative sense—that is, words that are flattering or persuasive but lacking sincerity or honesty. The verb's use is almost always figurative, describing the act of seducing, misleading, or ensnaring through enticing language. It differs from other verbs like חנף (ḥanaf, 'to act hypocritically') in that מָלַץ focuses on the style rather than the intent, though inherently suggests possible deception. The later English meaning of 'sweet' or 'pleasant' (as in some translations), while possible, does not capture the negative connotations the term typically carries in biblical usage. In post-biblical Hebrew, the root gives rise to words for 'interpreter' or 'spokesman' (מֵלִיץ, meliṣ), suggesting a shift toward the role of a smooth communicator, not necessarily with negative implications. Modern translation traditions sometimes use 'flattering' or 'enticing' to try to render the dominant sense, but contexts should be checked for nuance, especially since later religious terminology (e.g. 'sweet', 'pleasant') can obscure the term's original usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be smooth, i.e. (figuratively) pleasant; be sweet.
Bantu Hebrew
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מלץ (m-l-ṣ) — smoothness, slipperiness, polished speech
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4452-01 |
נִּמְלְצ֣וּ | nimeletsu | HVNp3cp |
sweet are | they were made smooth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4452-01 |
Psalms 119:103 | נִּמְלְצ֣וּ | nimeletsu | HVNp3cp |
sweet are | they were made smooth |