English · KJV
H3858

לַהַט

lahaṭ /lah'-hat/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom לָהַט
Meaninga blaze; also (from the idea of enwrapping) magic (as covert)
KJV usageflaming, enchantment.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lahaṭ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word lahaṭ, represented by H3858, carries a dual meaning of flaming or enchantment. According to its base definition, it can refer to a blaze or, through the idea of enwrapping, a form of magic. This word is used sparingly in scripture, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses, yet its applications are significant and distinct.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of H3858 showcase its contrasting meanings. In Genesis, it describes the flaming sword that God placed to guard the way to the tree of life after driving man from Eden Genesis 3:24. Here, it signifies a manifestation of divine, unapproachable power. Conversely, in Exodus, the word is translated as enchantments, used by the Egyptian magicians and sorcerers in their attempt to replicate the miracles performed before Pharaoh Exodus 7:11. This context frames it as a form of occult, human-derived power.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H3858 appears:

  • H2719 chereb (sword): This is the object described as "flaming" H3858 in Genesis 3:24. It is defined as a cutting instrument, such as a knife or sword.
  • H7931 shâkan (to reside or permanently stay): This verb is used in the same verse, where God placed the Cherubims and the flaming sword to guard the Garden of Eden Genesis 3:24.
  • H1644 gârash (to drive out from a possession): This word establishes the reason for the flaming sword, as God drove out man from the garden before setting the guard Genesis 3:24.
  • H2748 charṭôm (magician): These were the individuals in Pharaoh's court who performed their enchantments H3858 in opposition to Moses Exodus 7:11.
  • H3784 kâshaph (sorcerer, (use) witch(-craft)): This term describes the sorcerers who, along with the magicians, used these enchantments Exodus 7:11.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3858 lies in its distinct applications, which highlight a key biblical theme: the difference between divine power and its imitation.

  • Divine Barrier: In Genesis, the "flaming" sword represents God's holy and impassable judgment. It acts as a righteous barrier, separating humanity from the source of eternal life after the fall.
  • Occult Counterfeit: In Exodus, the "enchantments" of the magicians represent a counterfeit power. It is an attempt by man to mimic divine authority through covert or magical means, ultimately proving inferior.
  • A Word of Power: Both uses of H3858 involve a form of power. One is a legitimate, holy blaze set by God himself, while the other is a deceptive, magical practice used in rebellion against Him.

Summary

In summary, H3858 is a potent word that, despite its rarity, illustrates a profound contrast. It captures both the holy, protective fire of God's authority and the deceptive, covert "enchantment" of those who oppose Him. Its appearances in the narrative of the fall of man and the Exodus from Egypt anchor it to pivotal moments where the nature of true power is put on display.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • לַהֲטֵי
  • לַהַט

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2719 חֶרֶב from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implemen H7931 שָׁכַן a primitive root (apparently akin (by transmission) to שָׁכַב through the idea of lodging; compare סִכְלוּת, שָׁכַם); to H1644 גָּרַשׁ a primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce; cast up (out), divorced (woman), H2748 חַרְטֹם from the same as חֶרֶט; a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles); magician. H3784 כָּשַׁף a primitive root; properly, to whisper aspell, i.e. to inchant or practise magic; sorcerer, (use) witch(-craft).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Genesis and Exodus (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Genesis
1
Exodus

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.