לָהַט

lâhaṭ /law-hat'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to blaze
KJV usageburn (up), set on fire, flaming, kindle.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word lâhaṭ, represented by H3857, describes an intense and consuming fire. Its base definition is to lick, which implies a fire that blazes, burns up, and kindles. It appears 12 times across 11 unique verses, often depicting a powerful and divinely initiated combustion.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H3857 is frequently used to illustrate divine judgment and power. It describes God's anger as a fire that will set on fire the foundations of the mountains Deuteronomy 32:22 and the coming day of the LORD that will burn them up, referring to the proud and wicked Malachi 4:1. The word is also used to portray the devastating advance of an army, where a fire devours before them and a flame burneth behind them Joel 2:3. Metaphorically, it can describe people who are "set on fire," whose malicious words are like weapons Psalms 57:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to frame the concept of this consuming fire:

  • H784 'êsh (fire): This is the general term for fire and is often used in conjunction with H3857. For example, a fire H784 goes before the LORD and burneth up H3857 His enemies Psalms 97:3.
  • H1197 bâʻar (to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating)): This word often appears in parallel with H3857 to describe divine wrath. A fire was kindled H1197 in the company of the rebellious, and the flame burned up H3857 the wicked Psalms 106:18.
  • H3852 lehâbâh (flame): This noun describes the visible result of the action of H3857. A flame H3852 has burned H3857 all the trees of the field Joel 1:19.
  • H7179 qash (stubble): This word identifies the material consumed by the fire of H3857, representing those who are subject to judgment. The proud and wicked shall be stubble H7179 which the day of the LORD will burn them up H3857 Malachi 4:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3857 is primarily connected to God's holiness and judgment.

  • Divine Wrath: The word is a potent descriptor of God's righteous anger against sin. This fire is poured out on those who rebel, as seen when the LORD's anger set him on fire H3857 round about, yet he did not lay it to heart Isaiah 42:25.
  • Consuming Judgment: H3857 signifies an irreversible and complete judgment. In the final day, the wicked will be burned up so thoroughly that it will leave them neither root nor branch Malachi 4:1. A fire burneth up H3857 His enemies round about Psalms 97:3.
  • Agents of Divine Power: The imagery is also applied to God's agents. He makes His ministers a flaming H3857 fire, showing that they carry His authority and power Psalms 104:4.

Summary

In summary, H3857 is more than a simple word for burning; it signifies an intense, all-consuming, and often divine blaze. It serves as a powerful biblical illustration of God's judgment against wickedness, the consequences of rebellion, and the formidable power wielded by God and His ministers. From the foundations of the earth to the fate of the ungodly, lâhaṭ depicts a fire that is final and absolute.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 4×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Piel Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 6 books. Most frequent in Psalms (5 verses).

1
Deuteronomy
1
Job
5
Psalms
1
Isaiah
2
Joel
1
Malachi

Verse Explorer

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