from לָהַט; a blaze; also (from the idea of enwrapping) magic (as covert); flaming, enchantment.
Transliteration:lahaṭ
Pronunciation:lah'-hat
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word לַהַט (lahaṭ), Strong's `{{H3858}}`, is derived from the verbal root לָהַט (lahaṭ, `{{H3857}}`), which signifies "to burn," "to be inflamed," or "to glow." Consequently, the primary semantic range of לַהַט encompasses "a blaze," "flaming," or "intense heat." This meaning is evident in contexts describing literal fire or a fiery appearance.
A secondary, yet significant, semantic extension of לַהַט is "magic" or "enchantment." This meaning is understood to arise from the idea of "enwrapping," "covering," or "concealing," suggesting a hidden or deceptive power. This dual nature of לַהַט—referring to both visible, intense light/heat and hidden, deceptive arts—is crucial for understanding its biblical usage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term לַהַט appears in a limited but highly significant set of biblical passages, illustrating its dual semantic range:
1. **"Blaze" or "Flaming":**
* In [[Genesis 3:24]], לַהַט describes the "flaming sword" (להט החרב המתהפכת) of the cherubim guarding the way to the tree of life after the expulsion from Eden. Here, לַהַט unequivocally conveys the visual and destructive power of a fiery blade, symbolizing divine judgment, separation, and the inaccessibility of life apart from God's provision.
* [[Isaiah 4:5]] speaks of "a flaming fire by night" (להט אש יומם) that the Lord will create over Mount Zion. This imagery evokes divine protection and presence, akin to the pillar of fire in the wilderness, but also carries an implicit sense of consuming holiness that purifies or judges.
2. **"Enchantment" or "Magic":**
* The term appears three times in the Exodus narrative concerning the Egyptian magicians: [[Exodus 7:11]], [[Exodus 7:22]], and [[Exodus 8:7]] (Hebrew 8:3). In these instances, לַהַט (in the plural, בלהטיהם - "with their enchantments") refers to the secret arts or magical practices employed by Pharaoh's sorcerers to mimic the miracles performed by Moses and Aaron.
* In [[Exodus 7:11]], the magicians cast down their staffs, which become serpents "by their enchantments," mirroring Aaron's staff. Similarly, in [[Exodus 7:22]], they replicate the turning of water into blood, and in [[Exodus 8:7]], they bring up frogs. These contexts highlight the deceptive and imitative nature of human magic, which, though initially successful, ultimately proves inferior and limited compared to the true, sovereign power of Yahweh. The magicians' לַהַט eventually fails, underscoring the distinction between divine omnipotence and human artifice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of לַהַט benefits from examining its etymological and conceptual connections:
* **לָהַט (`{{H3857}}`)**: The verbal root, meaning "to burn," "to be inflamed," or "to glow fiercely." This root firmly establishes the primary meaning of לַהַט as related to fire and intense heat.
* **אֵשׁ (`{{H784}}`)**: The general Hebrew word for "fire," often associated with divine presence, judgment, and purification. לַהַט describes a specific characteristic or manifestation of fire—its blazing intensity.
* **לֶהָבָה (`{{H3852}}`)**: "Flame" or "blaze," another noun closely related to fire, often used interchangeably with or in conjunction with לַהַט to describe fiery phenomena.
* **לָט (`{{H3909}}`)**: "Secret arts" or "incantations." This word is etymologically and semantically linked to the "magic" aspect of לַהַט, particularly through the shared idea of "enwrapping" or "concealing." לָט also appears in the Exodus narrative ([[Exodus 7:22]], [[Exodus 8:7]]) in parallel with or as a descriptor of the magicians' practices. Both לַהַט and לָט convey the hidden, deceptive nature of sorcery.
* **כֶּשֶׁף (`{{H3785}}`)**: "Sorcery" or "witchcraft," a broader term for magical practices, often condemned in the Old Testament as an abomination to God. לַהַט provides a specific nuance to this broader category, emphasizing the "enchanting" or "blazing" aspect of such arts.
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of לַהַט carries profound theological implications:
1. **Divine Authority and Judgment**: When לַהַט refers to a "blaze" or "flaming," it often signifies God's holy presence, His unapproachable nature, and His righteous judgment. The "flaming sword" in Eden ([[Genesis 3:24]]) serves as a powerful symbol of humanity's expulsion from paradise and the divine barrier against sin. It underscores God's holiness that cannot tolerate sin in His presence and His sovereign right to restrict access to life. This blazing fire also speaks to divine protection and manifestation, as seen in [[Isaiah 4:5]], where God's glory is a defense for His people.
2. **Human Deception and Opposition**: In its meaning of "enchantment," לַהַט highlights the realm of human-initiated magic and sorcery, which stands in direct opposition to divine power. The Exodus narrative vividly portrays this conflict: the Egyptian magicians' לַהַט represents a counterfeit power, an attempt to mimic God's works through human artifice and demonic influence. While initially appearing effective, their לַהַט ultimately demonstrates its limitations and impotence when confronted with the true, unchallengeable power of Yahweh. This serves as a theological lesson on the futility of relying on human schemes or dark arts against the will of God, emphasizing the unique sovereignty and omnipotence of the Creator.
### Summary
The Hebrew word לַהַט (`{{H3858}}`) is a lexically rich term with a compelling dual semantic range. Primarily, it denotes a "blaze" or "flaming," signifying intense heat or light, as seen in the "flaming sword" of [[Genesis 3:24]] and the divine protection in [[Isaiah 4:5]]. In this sense, לַהַט powerfully conveys aspects of God's holy presence, His unapproachable nature, and His righteous judgment. Secondarily, derived from the concept of "enwrapping" or "concealing," לַהַט refers to "magic" or "enchantment." This meaning is prominently featured in the Exodus accounts of the Egyptian magicians, whose לַהַט represents human deception and a futile attempt to counterfeit divine power ([[Exodus 7:11]], [[Exodus 7:22]], [[Exodus 8:7]]). Thus, לַהַט encapsulates both the awe-inspiring manifestation of divine power and the deceptive, ultimately impotent, nature of human rebellion and occult practices.
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