Lexical Summary laag: derision, scoffing Original Word: לַעַג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance derision, scorning From la'ag; derision, scoffing -- derision, scorn (-ing). see HEBREW la'ag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom laag Definition a mocking, derision NASB Translation derision (4), scoffing (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs לַ֫עַג noun [masculine] mocking, derision, (barbarous) stammering; — absolute ׳ל Job 34:7 2t. + Psalm 123:4 (׳הַל ᵑ0 construct with article — so KöSynt. § 303e — but probably insert לְ following Hup Now Bae, compare also Ges§ 127g), + Ezekiel 23:32 (but strike out ᵐ5B Hi Co Berthol), + Ezekiel 36:4 (where Co reads בלע, but less probably, compare Berthol); suffix לַעְגָּם Hosea 7:16 (see below) plural construct לַעֲגֵי Isaiah 28:12 (see below); — 1. a. mocking, derision, Psalm 123:4 ("" בוז); so apparently with suffix as Genitive object Hosea 7:16 (but very dubious, probably corrupt, compare We Now); nearly = blasphemy Job 34:7. b. = object of derision Psalm 44:14 = Psalm 79:4 ("" חֶרְמָּה, קֶלֶס); so also Ezekiel 23:32 ("" צחק; si vera lectio, see above), Ezekiel 36:4. 2 stammerings (of barbarous language), שָׂפָה ׳ל Isaiah 28:11 ("" לָשׁוֺן אַחֶרֶת; so Ew Brd Di Hup-NowPsalm 35:16, De and others below לָעֵג); but GrMonatsschr. 1884, 45 reads עלגי, √ עלג. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 3933, לַעַג (la‘ag), denotes jeering, ridicule, or derision. The root depicts open scorn expressed in words or gestures that belittle the object of contempt. Every occurrence shows hostility, never innocent humor. In Scripture the term becomes a barometer of covenant faithfulness: when the righteous are mocked, God sees and will vindicate; when Israel mocks, it reaps judgment. Distribution in Scripture Six passages employ לַעַג: Job 34:7; Psalm 44:13; Psalm 79:4; Psalm 123:4; Ezekiel 36:4; Hosea 7:16. Together they form two broad groupings—mockery endured by the faithful (Job 34; Psalms 44, 79, 123) and mockery suffered or deserved by an unfaithful Israel (Ezekiel 36; Hosea 7). Mockery Directed Toward the Righteous 1. Job 34:7—Elihu laments that Job “drinks derision like water,” highlighting how the sufferer becomes a target of scorn precisely while maintaining integrity. These uses remind believers that ridicule is not necessarily evidence of divine abandonment; it can be the lot of the faithful awaiting God’s vindication (compare Matthew 5:11-12). Mockery as Covenant Judgment 1. Ezekiel 36:4—mountains, ravines, and cities of Israel have become “a prey and derision” because of the people’s idolatry. The mockery is a covenant curse, yet it sets the stage for the new-covenant promises later in the chapter. The prophets show that derision from the nations exposes Israel’s spiritual adultery. Still, the same passages promise reversal once repentance and divine renewal occur (Ezekiel 36:8-11, 33-36). Historical Context Ancient Near Eastern culture valued honor; public mockery signaled profound disgrace. Military defeat, exile, or personal calamity opened victims to la‘ag, turning physical loss into social humiliation. Scripture harnesses this cultural reality to teach that ultimate honor or shame is determined by relationship to the covenant Lord. Theological Significance • La‘ag reveals the arrogance of sinners who dismiss God’s servants (Psalm 123:4) and exposes the folly of covenant breakers who invite scorn upon themselves (Hosea 7:16). Christological Trajectory Old-Testament la‘ag anticipates the mockery heaped upon Jesus. The Greek empaizō in Matthew 27:29, “they knelt before Him in mockery,” mirrors the motif. The righteous sufferer of Job and the derided nation in the psalms find fulfillment in the Messiah, who “endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). His resurrection answers every taunt, assuring believers that present ridicule will be eclipsed by future glory. Practical and Pastoral Applications • Expect opposition: Faithfulness may invite la‘ag, but “the LORD is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). Related Themes Scoffing (Proverbs 9:7-8), Reproach (Psalm 69:9), Shame vs. Honor (Romans 9:33), Persecution of the Righteous (2 Timothy 3:12). Forms and Transliterations הַלַּ֥עַג הלעג וּלְלַ֔עַג וללעג לַ֥עַג לַּ֥עַג לַעְגָּ֖ם לעג לעגם hal·la·‘aḡ halla‘aḡ halLaag la‘·gām la‘aḡ la‘gām la·‘aḡ Laag laGam ū·lə·la·‘aḡ ūləla‘aḡ uleLaagLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 34:7 HEB: כְּאִיּ֑וֹב יִֽשְׁתֶּה־ לַּ֥עַג כַּמָּֽיִם׃ NAS: Who drinks up derision like water, KJV: [who] drinketh up scorning like water? INT: Job drinks derision water Psalm 44:13 Psalm 79:4 Psalm 123:4 Ezekiel 36:4 Hosea 7:16 6 Occurrences |
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