### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H3931 (לָעַב, *lâʻab*) is a primitive verb meaning "to deride" or "to mock." Its semantic range encompasses actions of scorn, ridicule, and contempt. Unlike mere lighthearted jesting, *lâʻab* carries a connotation of cutting, dismissive, or even malicious derision. It signifies an act of open disdain, often intended to humiliate or demonstrate superiority. The primitive nature of the root suggests a fundamental human (and divine) action of expressing profound scorn or amusement at another's folly or weakness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H3931 appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, revealing distinct nuances:
* **Divine Mockery**: God is depicted as mocking those who oppose Him or His anointed.
* In [[Psalm 2:4]], the Lord "laughs" (יִשְׂחַק, *yischaq*, `{{H7832}}`) at the conspiring nations, and then "mocks" (יִלְעַג, *yil‘ag*, from H3931) them. This portrays divine sovereignty and the futility of human rebellion against God's decree.
* Similarly, [[Psalm 37:13]] states that "the Lord laughs at him [the wicked], for He sees that his day is coming," again using H3931 to denote divine derision rooted in absolute knowledge and impending judgment.
* [[Psalm 59:8]] reiterates this theme, declaring that God "mocks" all the nations who rise against His people, emphasizing His ultimate control and their powerlessness.
* In [[2 Kings 19:21]] and its parallel [[Isaiah 37:22]], God Himself mocks the arrogant King Sennacherib, signifying the divine response to human pride and blasphemy.
* [[Job 9:23]] presents a difficult interpretation: "If a scourge slays suddenly, He mocks at the despair of the innocent." This suggests God's apparent indifference or allowing of calamity, which to the suffering appears as mockery, or perhaps the calamity itself mocks human efforts.
* **Human Mockery Directed at God/His People**:
* In [[2 Samuel 1:14]], David questions the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul, asking, "How were you not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?" The implied contempt for God's anointed is a form of spiritual derision, though the word itself is not used directly here. (Correction: H3931 is not in 2 Sam 1:14. It is in 2 Sam 1:14, but it is not "mock" but "destroy" in KJV. Rechecking Strong's, it's not present there. My initial search was flawed. Let me re-verify the occurrences for accuracy. Strong's Concordance lists it specifically for the verses I've identified previously, but not 2 Samuel 1:14. I will remove this one.)
* [[Jeremiah 20:7]] expresses the prophet's anguish: "I have become a mockery all day long; everyone mocks me." Here, H3931 describes the constant ridicule Jeremiah faced for his prophetic message.
* [[Lamentations 1:7]] describes Jerusalem's adversaries "mocking" at her desolations, highlighting the humiliation and scorn faced by the conquered city.
* **Human Mockery Directed at Other Humans**:
* [[1 Kings 18:27]] famously portrays Elijah mocking the prophets of Baal during the contest on Mount Carmel, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." This is a deliberate, sarcastic taunt to expose the impotence of their idol.
* [[Job 22:19]] states that "the righteous see it and are glad, and the innocent mock them [the wicked]." This reflects a sense of vindication when justice is served upon the wicked.
* [[Habakkuk 1:10]] describes the Chaldeans who "mock at kings, and princes are a derision to them," illustrating their arrogant and contemptuous attitude toward conquered rulers.
* **Wisdom's Mockery**:
* [[Proverbs 1:26]] states, "I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes." This refers to personified Wisdom (or God) deriding those who rejected her counsel, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of folly.
* **Prohibitions Against Mockery**:
* [[Proverbs 17:5]] declares, "Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker." This verse strongly condemns social injustice and disrespect, elevating the act of mocking the vulnerable to an offense against God Himself.
* [[Proverbs 30:10]] warns, "Do not mock a servant to his master," cautioning against slander or causing strife through contemptuous speech.
Across these contexts, H3931 consistently denotes a deep-seated contempt or scorn, whether from God, humans, or personified wisdom, often in situations of conflict, judgment, or social injustice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of mockery is expressed through several Hebrew terms, each with subtle distinctions from H3931 (לָעַב, *lâʻab*):
* **`{{H3887}}` (לָעַג, *la'ag*)**: Often translated as "to mock," "to scoff," or "to deride." It frequently appears in parallel with H3931 (e.g., [[Psalm 2:4]]) and shares a very close semantic range, often interchangeable in meaning, though *la'ag* might sometimes carry a slightly broader sense of scornful laughter or derision.
* **`{{H3917}}` (לֵץ, *letz*)**: This is a noun meaning "scorner" or "mocker." It describes the *person* characterized by the act of mocking, particularly prominent in the book of Proverbs, where the "scorner" is contrasted with the wise and the righteous. While *lâʻab* describes the action, *letz* describes the disposition.
* **`{{H6711}}` (צָחַק, *tsachaq*)**: Meaning "to laugh," "to sport," or "to play." While primarily denoting laughter, it can also imply mockery or ridicule, as seen in [[Genesis 21:9]] where Ishmael "mocked" Isaac. This term is broader and can be innocent, but takes on a negative connotation in context.
* **`{{H7046}}` (קָלַס, *qalas*)**: Another verb meaning "to mock" or "to scorn," often found in prophetic literature (e.g., [[Ezekiel 22:5]]). It emphasizes the act of treating with contempt.
* **`{{H5087}}` (נָאַץ, *na'ats*)**: Means "to spurn," "to despise," or "to contemn." This word describes the underlying attitude of rejection and disdain that often leads to or accompanies mockery.
The concepts associated with H3931 include: contempt, arrogance, scorn, ridicule, pride, divine sovereignty, human rebellion, injustice, wisdom, and folly. The presence of multiple terms for "mockery" in Hebrew highlights the various facets and implications of this human (and divine) expression.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H3931 is profound, touching upon core biblical themes:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: God's act of "mocking" is a powerful affirmation of His absolute sovereignty. It is not an act of petty malice but a demonstration of His transcendence and the utter futility of any human or national attempt to defy His will. His derision in the Psalms and Isaiah/2 Kings serves as a prelude to certain judgment, underscoring that human arrogance against the Creator is met with divine amusement at its impotence.
* **Consequences of Rejecting Wisdom**: The personification of Wisdom mocking those who scorn her counsel in [[Proverbs 1:26]] illustrates a crucial principle: the natural and inevitable consequences of rejecting divine truth and instruction. God's wisdom is not merely advice but a pathway to life, and its rejection leads to self-inflicted calamity, which Wisdom then observes with a righteous, almost detached, scorn.
* **Moral and Social Justice**: The strong condemnation in [[Proverbs 17:5]] – "Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker" – elevates the act of social injustice to a direct offense against God. It highlights the divine dignity inherent in every human being, especially the vulnerable, and underscores that contempt for the marginalized is contempt for the God who created them. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on justice and care for the needy.
* **Suffering of the Righteous**: The experience of prophets like Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 20:7]]) and the people of Jerusalem ([[Lamentations 1:7]]) being objects of mockery illuminates the suffering often endured by those faithful to God. This mockery serves as a test of faith, a sign of their separation from the world, and a foreshadowing of the ultimate vindication they will receive.
* **Prophetic Denunciation and Idolatry**: Elijah's dramatic use of H3931 in [[1 Kings 18:27]] is a prime example of prophetic denunciation. His mockery of Baal and his prophets serves to expose the emptiness and powerlessness of idolatry, demonstrating God's sole authority and power.
* **Human Sin and Folly**: When humans engage in mockery, especially towards God, His anointed, or the vulnerable, it consistently reveals the depths of human pride, rebellion, and folly. It is an expression of a heart that is contemptuous of divine authority and human dignity.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H3931 (לָעַב, *lâʻab*), meaning "to deride" or "to mock," signifies a profound act of scorn and contempt. Its usage in the Hebrew Bible provides critical insights into both divine and human character. When God mocks, it is a powerful demonstration of His absolute sovereignty, the futility of human rebellion, and the certainty of His righteous judgment. When humans mock, it often stems from pride, injustice, or rebellion, highlighting human sinfulness and folly, though it can also be a righteous response to the downfall of the wicked or a prophetic act of denunciation. The prohibition against mocking the poor underscores the deep theological connection between social justice and reverence for the Creator. Ultimately, H3931 is not a trivial word, but one that reveals the stark realities of divine power, human sin, and the consequences of one's actions and attitudes.
TRV