לַ֫חַשׁ (la.chash)
la.chash
charm
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun laḥash refers to a low, murmuring sound, specifically the act of whispering or casting a spell. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears rarely, with all five occurrences clustered in prophetic and wisdom literature such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ecclesiastes. The word captures the intimate, secretive nature of speech that is meant to be heard by few or no one else.
Its most striking usage involves serpent-charming. In Isaiah 3:3 and 19:3, leaders are described as those who enchant or whisper over snakes, a practice rooted in ancient Near Eastern folk magic rather than divine power. This context highlights laḥash as a technique of manipulation or control, relying on hidden knowledge or ritualistic murmurs to influence the natural world.
However, the term also carries a neutral or even spiritual connotation when applied to prayer. In Ecclesiastes 5:2, believers are instructed not to be rash with their mouths and not to hurry to offer sacrifice, but to let their hearts draw near in the whisper of laḥash. Here, the word denotes a quiet, reverent communication with God, contrasting sharply with the noisy, performative rituals condemned elsewhere. This dual meaning distinguishes between manipulative incantations and sincere, private devotion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lachash describes a low, murmuring sound, often associated with whispering or casting spells. In ancient Israel, it appeared in contexts ranging from folk magic to intimate prayer. Isaiah mentions "clever enchanter" figures who used such whispers for manipulation, while Ecclesiastes invites us to approach God with the same quiet reverence. This duality reminds us that words hold power, whether they are used to control others or to draw near to the Creator.
For your faith life, this word offers a gentle invitation to slow down. In a noisy world, we often rush into prayer or speak without thinking. Ecclesiastes 5:2 suggests that God hears the whisper of the heart just as clearly as a shout. You do not need performative rituals or loud declarations to be heard. Instead, you can find comfort in the simplicity of quiet honesty.
When anxiety rises or situations feel out of control, remember that true security does not come from hidden tricks or manipulative whispers. It comes from trusting in God’s steady presence. Let your prayers be simple and sincere, knowing that Your Father sees what is done in secret and values your genuine heart above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- charming2×
- and/ the/ amulets1×
- a whisper1×
- [is] a charm1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָ֑חַשׁ2×
- לָֽחַשׁ\׃1×
- לַ֔חַשׁ1×
- וְ/הַ/לְּחָשִֽׁים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 10:11
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
This verse uses the word to describe the act of charming a snake, highlighting the practical, albeit risky, nature of such folk magic.
-
Isaiah 3:3
the captain of fifty, the honorable man, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.
Here the term describes a "clever enchanter," showing how the word was applied to leaders who relied on deceptive or magical skills rather than wisdom.
-
Jeremiah 8:17
“For, behold, I will send serpents, adders among you, which will not be charmed; and they will bite you,” says Yahweh.
God promises to send serpents that cannot be charmed, emphasizing that divine judgment cannot be manipulated by human whispers or spells.