English · KJV
H3897

לָחַךְ

lâchak /law-khak'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto lick
KJV usagelick (up).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lâchak — 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 lâchak, represented by H3897, is a primitive root meaning to lick or lick (up). It appears a total of 6 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. While its literal meaning is straightforward, it is often used metaphorically to depict concepts of total consumption, overwhelming power, and profound humiliation.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H3897 paints a vivid picture in several contexts. It is used literally when Moab expresses fear that the Israelites will consume everything around them, "as the ox licketh up the grass of the field" Numbers 22:4. More frequently, it serves as a powerful metaphor. The fire of the LORD " licked up the water that was in the trench" during Elijah's confrontation on Mount Carmel, demonstrating divine power and complete consumption 1 Kings 18:38. The image is also used to describe the utter subjugation of enemies, who "shall lick the dust" in defeat and submission (Psalms 72:9, Micah 7:17). This imagery culminates in the prophecy that kings and queens will " lick up the dust of thy feet" as a sign of reverence Isaiah 49:23.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to contextualize the meaning of complete consumption and submission:

  • H398 ʼâkal (to eat...consume, devour(-er, up)): This word appears alongside H3897 to describe the all-consuming fire of the LORD, which not only licked up the water but also consumed the sacrifice, wood, stones, and dust 1 Kings 18:38.
  • H6083 ʻâphâr (dust...clay, earth, mud): This word is intrinsically linked to the metaphorical use of H3897, forming the recurring image of enemies who "lick the dust" in total defeat before God and His people (Psalms 72:9, Isaiah 49:23, Micah 7:17).
  • H7812 shâchâh (to depress, i.e. prostrate...bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat)): In the same breath that kings are prophesied to lick up the dust, they are also said to bow down to Israel, connecting the act of licking with a posture of worship and obeisance Isaiah 49:23.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3897 is communicated through its powerful imagery.

  • Total Consumption: The term illustrates an overwhelming and complete action. Whether it is an ox consuming grass or the fire of God consuming water, the image is one of totality, leaving nothing behind (Numbers 22:4, 1 Kings 18:38).
  • Absolute Subjugation: Licking the dust is a sign of ultimate humiliation and defeat. It represents the reversal of fortunes where powerful enemies are brought to the lowest possible state of abasement before God's chosen people (Micah 7:17, Psalms 72:9).
  • Divine Vindication: The act of foreign rulers licking the dust of Israel's feet serves as a sign of God's ultimate vindication of His people. It is a promised event that will cause Israel to "know that I am the LORD" Isaiah 49:23.

Summary

In summary, H3897 is a visceral term that moves from a simple, literal action to a profound metaphor. It is used to convey the concepts of overwhelming force, whether of an army or of God's own power, and the absolute submission and humiliation of those who stand in opposition. The word vividly portrays a world where victory and defeat are absolute, and where bowing in the dust is the ultimate acknowledgment of a superior power.

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 verb across 6 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

  • יְלַחֲכוּ
  • לִחֵכָה
  • לְחֹךְ

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.

H398 אָכַל a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, H6083 עָפָר from עָפַר; dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud; ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. H7812 שָׁחָה a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouc

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 5 verses across 5 of the 39 books. 5 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 34.

1
Numbers
1
1 Kings
1
Psalms
1
Isaiah
1
Micah

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.