לָעַג

lâʻag /law-ag'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly
KJV usagehave in derision, laugh (to scorn), mock (on), stammering.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word lâʻag, represented by H3932, is a primitive root meaning to deride. It appears 18 times in 18 unique verses and carries connotations of mockery, speaking unintelligibly like a foreigner, laughing to scorn, and stammering. This term describes a contemptuous act, often directed against God's people, the poor, or God himself.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H3932 is frequently used to depict the scorn faced by the righteous. The prophet Jeremiah cries out that he is mocked by everyone Jeremiah 20:7, and the suffering psalmist is laughed to scorn by his enemies, who shake their heads at him Psalms 22:7. Similarly, those attempting to rebuild Jerusalem's wall are laughed to scorn and despised by their adversaries (Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah 4:1). Conversely, the term is also used to describe God's response to the wicked; He who sits in the heavens holds earthly rulers in derision (Psalms 2:4, Psalms 59:8). In a unique context, the word describes the unintelligible speech of a foreign people, referring to a "stammering tongue" Isaiah 33:19.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of mockery and contempt:

  • H959 bâzâh (despise, disdain): This term is often used alongside H3932 to emphasize deep contempt. The enemies of Jerusalem both "laughed us to scorn" and "despised us" Nehemiah 2:19, and Zion is described as having "despised" and "laughed to scorn" her Assyrian aggressor 2 Kings 19:21.
  • H2778 châraph (reproach, defame): This word highlights the offensive nature of mockery. Mocking the poor is not just an act of derision H3932 but also an act that "reproacheth his Maker" Proverbs 17:5.
  • H5128 nûwaʻ (to waver, shake, wag): This describes the physical gesture that often accompanies verbal scorn. The enemies of the psalmist "laugh me to scorn" and "shake the head" Psalms 22:7, and the daughter of Jerusalem "shaken her head" at her enemy in a gesture of derisive triumph Isaiah 37:22.
  • H7832 sâchaq (to laugh, deride, scorn): Often used in parallel, this word for laughter can carry the same derisive meaning. God "shall laugh" at the wicked and "have them in derision" H3932 Psalms 2:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3932 is significant, often serving as a warning against arrogance and a statement of divine justice.

  • An Affront to God: Mockery directed at the vulnerable is treated as an attack on God Himself. The one who "mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker" Proverbs 17:5. Similarly, an eye that "mocketh at his father" faces a grim curse Proverbs 30:17.
  • Divine Retribution: Mockery is turned back upon the mockers. Personified Wisdom declares that she will "laugh at your calamity" and "mock when your fear cometh" to those who rejected her counsel Proverbs 1:26. God's derision is His sovereign response to the rebellion of humanity Psalms 2:4.
  • The Mark of the Wicked and the Test of the Righteous: The wicked are identified by their tendency to mock Nehemiah 4:1, while the righteous are often the target of such scorn (Psalms 22:7, Jeremiah 20:7). However, there is a promised reversal, where the righteous and innocent will ultimately "laugh them to scorn" Job 22:19.

Summary

In summary, H3932 is a potent term that defines an act of severe contempt. It is not simple laughter but a malicious derision that carries grave consequences. Whether it is the scorn of men against the righteous, the mockery of fools against their parents and the poor, or the ultimate derision of God against the proud, lâʻag illustrates the biblical principle that arrogance and contempt are odious to God and will ultimately be met with divine justice.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 19 occurrences, inflected in 15 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Niphal Participle Singular Masculine Construct 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×

+ 3 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 18 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Job (4 verses).

1
2 Kings
1
2 Chronicles
2
Nehemiah
4
Job
4
Psalms
3
Proverbs
2
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah

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