English · KJV
H3913

לָטַשׁ

lâṭash /law-tash'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen
KJV usageinstructer, sharp(-en), whet.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of lâṭash — 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 lâṭash, represented by H3913, is a primitive root meaning to hammer out an edge or to sharpen. It is used to convey the concepts of being an instructer, to sharp(-en), or to whet. This term appears 5 times in 5 unique verses, indicating a specialized but significant role in the biblical text.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H3913 describes both literal and figurative sharpening. It is used in a foundational context to describe Tubalcain as an "instructer" of every craftsman in brass and iron, highlighting the sharpening of skills Genesis 4:22. It also appears literally when the Israelites must go to the Philistines to sharpen their agricultural tools 1 Samuel 13:20. Figuratively, the word illustrates divine judgment, where God will whet his sword against the unrepentant Psalms 7:12. It is also used to depict intense malice, as when an enemy sharpeneth his eyes Job 16:9 or when a deceitful tongue is likened to a sharp razor Psalms 52:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which lâṭash is used:

  • H2719 chereb (sword): This word refers to a cutting instrument, like a knife or sword. It is the object that God will whet in preparation for judgment, linking the act of sharpening directly to a weapon of retribution Psalms 7:12.
  • H1270 barzel (iron): As the material for many sharpened implements, iron is central to the concept. Tubalcain is an instructor of artificers in brass and iron Genesis 4:22, and later the Israelites must sharpen their tools made of this metal.
  • H3956 lâshôwn (tongue): The tongue is metaphorically described as a weapon that can be sharpened. In Psalms, a deceitful tongue devises mischiefs and is compared to a sharp razor, demonstrating how words can be honed for destructive purposes Psalms 52:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3913 is seen in its powerful metaphorical applications.

  • Divine Readiness for Judgment: The image of God who will whet his sword H2719 shows that divine justice is not passive. It is an active, prepared response to those who do not turn H7725 from their way Psalms 7:12.
  • The Nature of Malice: The word is used to express the focused, intense nature of hatred and deceit. An enemy sharpeneth his eyes H5869, signifying a piercing, hostile gaze Job 16:9. Similarly, a deceitful tongue H3956 is described as sharp, highlighting the damaging and precise nature of malicious speech Psalms 52:2.
  • The Origin of Craftsmanship: In its first appearance, H3913 establishes the concept of teaching and honing skills. Tubalcain is an "instructer," or sharpener, of those who work with brass H5178 and iron H1270, grounding the term in the development of human ability and technology Genesis 4:22.

Summary

In summary, H3913 lâṭash carries a meaning that extends from the blacksmith's forge to the depths of the human heart and the throne of God. While it literally denotes the sharpening of tools and weapons, its figurative uses are more profound. It illustrates God's readiness to execute judgment, the focused intensity of evil intent, and the foundational act of imparting skill. Whether describing a sharpened tool, a sharpened gaze, or a sharpened mind, lâṭash speaks of preparation and readiness for a decisive impact.

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 5 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

  • יִלְטוֹשׁ
  • מְלֻטָּשׁ
  • לְטוֹשׁ
  • לֹטֵשׁ

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 H1270 בַּרְזֶל perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת; iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement; (ax) head, iron. H3956 לָשׁוֹן or לָשֹׁן; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה; from לָשַׁן; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instr H7725 שׁוּב a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily H5869 עַיִן probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); aff H5178 נְחֹשֶׁת for נְחוּשָׁה; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with go

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 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (2 verses); never once in the other 35.

1
Genesis
1
1 Samuel
1
Job
2
Psalms

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.