2049. hathulim

Lexical Summary

hathulim: Mockings, Jests

Original Word: הָתֹל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: hathol
Pronunciation: ha-thoo-leem
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-thole')
KJV: mocker
NASB: mockers
Word Origin: [from H2048 (הָתַל - mocked) (only in plural collectively)]

1. a derision

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

mocker

From hathal (only in plural collectively); a derision -- mocker.

see HEBREW hathal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from hathal
Definition
mockery
NASB Translation
mockers (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

הֲתֻלִֿים noun [masculine] plural mockery; — ׳אִםלֹֿא ה עִמָּדִי Job 17:2 truly mockery surroundeth me (De Di Da compare VB).

מַהֲתַלּוֺת

noun feminine plural deceptions; — Isaiah 30:10.

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Root Ideas

The noun הָתֹל captures the notion of scornful deception—words or acts that twist truth in order to belittle, mislead, or taunt. Although used only once, it belongs to a wider Hebrew family of terms that speak of mockery, derision, and the moral injury that accompanies them.

Biblical Occurrence

Job 17:2: “Surely mockers surround me, and my eyes must dwell on their hostility.”

Immediate Context in Job

1. Setting. Chapters 16–17 form Job’s sixth speech. Physically broken (Job 16:8) and spiritually anguished, he now adds social humiliation to his catalogue of suffering.
2. Function of הָתֹל. The single term gathers up the sneers of his companions, who interpret his distress as proof of hidden sin (Job 4:7–8; 22:5). Their rhetoric, intended to correct, becomes an instrument of cruel misrepresentation.
3. Emotional weight. Job’s lament that his “eyes must dwell” on the taunts reveals the psychological dimension of suffering: verbal mockery prolongs pain even when no further blows fall.

Theological Themes

• The cost of faithfulness. Righteous people may suffer not only materially but socially (Psalm 69:7–12).
• God’s vindication of the mocked. Job anticipates a heavenly Advocate (Job 16:19) whose verdict will silence deception—foreshadowing the final justification promised in Romans 8:33.
• Integrity under verbal assault. Scripture repeatedly links lying ridicule with wickedness (Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 19:28). Job stands as a model for believers called to endure defamation without surrendering their integrity (1 Peter 2:19–23).

Historical and Cultural Insights

In patriarchal society, honor was communal. Public mockery threatened family status, inheritance claims, and future alliances. A man stripped of respect lost more than feelings; he risked economic and legal marginalization. Job’s cry therefore exposes the breadth of his trial—body, soul, and social standing are all under siege.

Related Terms and Concepts

• לֵץ / לִיצוּת (“scoffer,” “scoffing”) – Proverbs 21:24.
• שָׂחַק (“to laugh [at], deride”) – Psalm 52:6.
• Greek ἐμπαίζω (“to mock”) – Matthew 27:29.

Christological and Eschatological Reflections

Jesus Christ experienced concentrated הָתֹל in the Passion (Matthew 27:29–31; Luke 23:35). The righteous Sufferer vindicated on the third day supplies the pattern and guarantee that every deceptive taunt against God’s people will be overturned (Revelation 21:4–8).

Pastoral and Ministry Application

1. Encourage believers who face ridicule for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:11–12).
2. Model truthful, gracious speech that refuses to weaponize words (Ephesians 4:29).
3. Provide safe fellowship where slandered saints find affirmation of their identity in Christ (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Key Truths Summarized

• הָתֹל embodies scornful deception, a weapon often wielded against the innocent.
• Job’s solitary usage exposes the social dimension of suffering and anticipates divine vindication.
• Scripture consistently condemns mocking falsehood and assures final recompense for the faithful.
• The gospel answers Job’s plea: in Christ, the mocked are ultimately justified, and all deceptive ridicule is forever silenced.

Forms and Transliterations

הֲ֭תֻלִים התלים hă·ṯu·lîm Hatulim hăṯulîm

Englishman's Concordance

Job 17:2
HEB: אִם־ לֹ֣א הֲ֭תֻלִים עִמָּדִ֑י וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗ם
NAS: Surely mockers are with me, And my eye
KJV: [Are there] not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye
INT: lo not mockers against their provocation

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2049
1 Occurrence

hă·ṯu·lîm — 1 Occ.