לָעַג
la.ag (H3932)
to mock
AI Word Study
# לָעַג (la'ag): The Biblical Language of Mockery The Hebrew verb לָעַג (la'ag) carries the fundamental meaning "to mock," denoting a deliberate act of ridicule or contempt directed at another person. With eighteen occurrences across the biblical text, this word represents a significant vocabulary item for describing hostile verbal behavior. The verb captures a specific communicative act—not merely disagreement or criticism, but active derision intended to belittle or shame its target. The consistent presence of this term throughout Scripture suggests that mockery was recognized as a distinct social problem worthy of linguistic specificity. By having a dedicated verb for this behavior, biblical writers could precisely distinguish mockery from related negative behaviors like lying, insults, or simple disrespect. This precision indicates that ancient Israelite culture understood mockery as a particular form of social transgression—one involving not just harsh words but an element of ridicule designed to diminish another's dignity or standing. The eighteen biblical instances establish לָעַג as more than a rare or marginal concept; rather, it represents an ongoing concern within scriptural discourse. The term's repeated appearance across different literary contexts suggests that mocking behavior was sufficiently common in ancient Israelite society to warrant regular condemnation or discussion. Understanding this word provides a window into how biblical communities conceptualized and addressed interpersonal cruelty expressed through
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning him: ‘The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.
So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even to Zebulun, but people ridiculed them and mocked them.
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”
But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and was very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
If the scourge kills suddenly, he will mock at the trial of the innocent.
Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
Allow me, and I also will speak; After I have spoken, mock on.
He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.
All those who see me mock me. They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads, saying,
But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.
You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.
I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
“The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it.
You will no longer see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that you can’t comprehend, with a strange language that you can’t understand.
this is the word which Yahweh has spoken concerning him. The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.
Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded. You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day. Everyone mocks me.