from an unused root meaning to stutter; stuttering; stammerer.
Transliteration:ʻillêg
Pronunciation:il-layg'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5926}}` ('illêg) is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of "stuttering" or "stammering." Its primary meaning describes an individual afflicted with a speech impediment, specifically one who speaks with difficulty, haltingly, or with repetition of sounds. It denotes a physical condition related to the articulation of speech, rather than a cognitive or moral deficiency. The semantic range is narrow, focused on the impediment of fluent verbal expression.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5926}}` occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in [[Isaiah 32:4]]. This verse is part of a broader prophetic passage in Isaiah chapters 32-33, which envisions a future era of righteousness, justice, and spiritual clarity, often interpreted as a Messianic age or a time of divine restoration.
In [[Isaiah 32:4]], the text states: "The mind of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will speak readily and clearly." (ESV, or similar translation). Here, the "stammerers" (עִלֵּג, `{{H5926}}`) are presented in contrast to those who are "rash" or "hasty" (נִמְהָר, `{{H4116}}`) in thought. The prophecy indicates a miraculous transformation where both intellectual confusion and verbal impediments are removed. The "stammerer's" tongue is transformed to speak "readily and clearly" (צָחוֹת, tsachot, from `{{H6703}}`), signifying a state of unimpeded, fluent, and understandable communication. This transformation is part of a larger picture of societal and individual renewal under righteous leadership, where all forms of brokenness are addressed by divine intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
While `{{H5926}}` is unique in its specific meaning, it relates to other concepts of speech and impediment in the Hebrew Bible:
* **Speech Difficulties:** Moses' description of himself as "slow of speech and slow of tongue" or having a "heavy mouth" (כְּבַד־פֶּה וּכְבַד לָשׁוֹן, `{{H3515}}` and `{{H6376}}`) in [[Exodus 4:10]] describes a general difficulty in speaking, though not necessarily stuttering. This highlights the biblical awareness of various speech impediments.
* **Clarity and Eloquence:** The antonymic concept in [[Isaiah 32:4]] is "speaking readily and clearly" (צָחוֹת, from `{{H6703}}`), emphasizing the positive state of fluent, articulate, and understandable communication. This contrasts with the difficulty implied by `{{H5926}}`.
* **Divine Healing and Restoration:** The context of Isaiah's prophecy links the removal of the "stammerer's" impediment to broader themes of divine restoration and the establishment of justice and righteousness. This aligns with other prophetic visions of physical healing in the Messianic age, where the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lame walk ([[Isaiah 35:5-6]]), indicating a comprehensive restoration of human faculties.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of `{{H5926}}` in [[Isaiah 32:4]] carries profound theological significance. It is not merely a descriptive term for a physical ailment but a symbolic representation within a grand prophetic vision.
* **Divine Transformation and Perfection:** The prophecy signifies a future era when God will remove all impediments, both spiritual and physical. The miraculous transformation of the "stammerer's" tongue illustrates God's sovereign power to restore, heal, and perfect human brokenness. It speaks to a holistic redemption that addresses physical limitations as well as spiritual understanding.
* **Clarity of Revelation and Proclamation:** The inability to speak clearly can symbolize a broader inability to articulate or fully comprehend divine truth. The removal of the stammerer's impediment suggests a future where God's people will not only grasp His word with clarity but also be empowered to proclaim it effectively and confidently. This speaks to an unhindered flow of communication, both *from* God to humanity and *within* the community of faith, fostering deeper understanding and unified witness.
* **Messianic Hope:** This prophecy contributes to the rich tapestry of Messianic expectations. The coming of the Messiah ushers in an era of peace, justice, and comprehensive restoration, addressing human brokenness in all its forms, including physical and communicative limitations. The `{{H5926}}` is a poignant image of a world made whole under divine rule.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H5926}}` ('illêg) denotes a "stammerer" or one with a speech impediment. Its sole occurrence in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Isaiah 32:4]], is highly significant. Within Isaiah's prophetic vision of a future age of righteousness, the transformation of the "stammerer's" tongue to speak "readily and clearly" symbolizes God's comprehensive restorative power. This transformation points to a time when both intellectual and verbal hindrances will be removed, enabling unhindered understanding and articulation of divine truth. Thus, `{{H5926}}` serves as a potent symbol of divine healing, the clarity of God's revelation, and the holistic restoration anticipated in the Messianic age.
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