Lexical Summary laeg: Mockery, derision Original Word: לָעֵג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance buffoon, mocker, stammerer From la'ag; a buffoon; also a foreigner -- mocker, stammering. see HEBREW la'ag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom laag Definition mocking NASB Translation jesters (1), stammering (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [לָעֵג] adjective mocking, only plural construct as noun (si vera lectio), לַעֲגֵי מָעוֺג Psalm 35:16 mockers of מָעוֺג (q. v.), but text dubious; Che reads לֹעֲגֵי SchwZAW xi. 1890, 258 לָֽעֲגוּ. — To [לָעֵג] is also reffered לַעֲגֵי Isaiah 28:11 by Ges De Che Du, < below לַעַג q. v. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Nuance in Hebrew Thought The term לָעֵג carries the vivid picture of persons who do not merely laugh but deride; it suggests scorn that wounds. In Hebrew rhetoric the word is used when mockery becomes deliberate hostility—speech that belittles righteousness or disregards God’s chosen servants. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Psalm 35:16 Contextual Analysis Psalm 35:16 – David laments that “like godless jesters at a feast they gnashed their teeth at me.” The derision intensifies his suffering: enemies gather as if at a banquet, relishing his distress. Their scorn is portrayed as a weapon equal to physical violence. The verse forms part of a prayer for vindication, showing that mockery is not treated lightly in the divine courtroom. Isaiah 28:11 – “For with mocking lips and foreign tongue He will speak to this people.” The prophet confronts leaders of Jerusalem who, drunk with pride, dismiss God’s warnings. Ironically, the very contempt they voice becomes the measure of their judgment: foreign invaders will address them in a language they cannot grasp. Mockery here signals covenant breach and heralds impending exile. Historical and Cultural Background In the Ancient Near East public ridicule exposed a person to shame before the community. Honor cultures regarded words as potent social tools; thus scorn in royal courts or city gates harmed reputations and undermined authority. When David’s foes employed לָעֵג, they attacked more than his feelings—they aimed at his legitimacy as the anointed king. In Isaiah’s day Judah’s leaders derided prophetic calls to repentance, trusting political alliances instead. Their mockery typified a broader cultural drift from reliance on the Lord to self-confidence and syncretism. Theological Significance 1. Moral gravity: Scripture treats scorn as rebellion, not mere rudeness. Mockery reveals a heart hardened against truth (Proverbs 14:6; 2 Peter 3:3). Christological and New Testament Resonance Isaiah’s oracle of foreign tongues finds partial echo at Pentecost when “each one heard them speaking in his own language” (Acts 2:6). Peter explains that this sign authenticates divine initiative rather than drunken jesting (Acts 2:13-15). Where Isaiah’s audience encountered judgment, the Jerusalem crowd receives an invitation to salvation. Moreover, the soldiers’ ridicule of Jesus (Matthew 27:29-31) fulfills the pattern that mockery peaks at the climactic revelation of God’s plan, yet is turned to triumph in the resurrection. Practical and Ministry Applications • Guarded speech: Believers are called to “let no unwholesome talk” proceed from their mouths (Ephesians 4:29). Mockery corrodes fellowship and hinders witness. Devotional Challenge Reflect on whether any attitude of contempt has lodged in the heart. Pray the psalmist’s plea, “Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me” (Psalm 35:19), and commit to bless rather than belittle. The God who hears the sigh of the mocked will uphold the humble and bring every idle word into judgment, proving yet again that His word cannot be derided into silence. Forms and Transliterations בְּלַעֲגֵ֣י בלעגי לַעֲגֵ֣י לעגי bə·la·‘ă·ḡê bəla‘ăḡê belaaGei la‘ăḡê la·‘ă·ḡê laaGeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 35:16 HEB: בְּ֭חַנְפֵי לַעֲגֵ֣י מָע֑וֹג חָרֹ֖ק NAS: Like godless jesters at a feast, KJV: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, INT: godless jesters A feast gnashed Isaiah 28:11 2 Occurrences |
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