לָעַז

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word lâʻaz, represented by H3937, is a primitive root used to mean to speak in a foreign tongue; strange language. It appears only 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. Its singular usage serves to highlight a distinct cultural and linguistic separation between peoples.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H3937 is in Psalms 114:1, which recounts the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. The verse describes the "house of Jacob" H3290 going out from "a people of strange language". This term is used to characterize the Egyptians, establishing them as linguistically and culturally foreign to the people of Israel H3478. The context is one of departure and liberation, where Israel is leaving an alien environment.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its only context help clarify its meaning:

• H5971 ʻam (a people): This word is directly connected to H3937 in the phrase "a people of strange language," defining the collective group from which Israel was separating Psalms 114:1.
• H4714 Mitsrayim (Egypt, Egyptians): This identifies the specific nation and people characterized by the strange language. The entire narrative of the Exodus centers on God delivering Israel from the Egyptians Exodus 3:8.
• H3318 yâtsâʼ (to go out): This key verb describes the action of Israel's departure, a physical and spiritual "going out" from the land of the people with a foreign tongue Psalms 114:1.
• H3290 Yaʻăqôb (Jacob): This refers to the patriarch and, by extension, his descendants, the "house of Jacob." They are the ones being distinguished from the people of a strange language Psalms 114:1.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H3937 is tied to its specific narrative function:

• A Mark of Distinction: The term is used to distinctly mark the Egyptian people as "other." This linguistic barrier underscores the cultural and spiritual separation between Israel and the nation from which they were delivered Psalms 114:1.
• The Nature of Bondage: By characterizing the Egyptians with a "strange language," the text subtly defines the state of bondage as being among a people who are fundamentally different and foreign.
• The Identity of God's People: The use of H3937 helps to define Israel's identity by contrast. They are not the people of a strange language; they are the "house of Jacob" H3290, a people called out by God to be distinct.

Summary

In summary, while H3937 is exceptionally rare, its single use is significant. It functions as a powerful descriptor within the Exodus narrative, defining the Egyptians as a foreign-speaking people. This emphasizes the theme of separation and deliverance, highlighting the unique identity of Israel as they are brought out from a land and a culture that is explicitly alien to them.