לַ֫יִשׁ (la.yish)
la.yish
Laish; Laishah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name la.yish translates directly to "lion," a title that carries significant weight in its two primary biblical contexts. As a place name, it refers to Laish, the original designation for the city later known as Dan in the far north of Israel. The tribe of Dan conquered this site and renamed it after themselves, but the older name persists in texts like Judges 18:29, preserving the memory of its former identity.
The word also appears as a personal name for a man living during the United Monarchy. In 1 Samuel 25:44, he is identified as Palti (or Phaltiel), the husband given to King Saul’s daughter Michal by her father, even though she was already married to David. This usage highlights the political maneuvering of the time, where names like "lion" might signify strength or status, even amidst personal tragedy.
Isaiah 10:30 mentions Laishah, a variant spelling located north of Jerusalem, though its exact site remains unknown. The recurrence of this lion-themed name in both geography and biography suggests it was a recognizable term for power or prestige in ancient Israelite culture, applied to places that held strategic importance and men involved in royal affairs.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Laish carries the weight of a lion, evoking strength and presence in both geography and biography. In Judges, it marks the quiet security of a northern city before the tribe of Dan claimed it as their own. This shift from Laish to Dan reminds us that places—and people—often carry hidden histories beneath their current names. God’s plans unfold even when we are unaware of the full story.
As a personal name, Laish appears in the lives of those caught in royal turmoil. Palti, son of Laish, lost his wife Michal to political maneuvering, yet Scripture records his lineage without judgment. This shows that ordinary individuals, bearing names linked to power or prestige, are part of God’s larger narrative. Their stories invite us to trust His sovereignty amid uncertainty.
Whether referring to a distant city or a forgotten husband, Laish points to how God uses the mundane and the mighty alike. It encourages us to see our own lives—our names, our places, our struggles—as woven into something greater than ourselves. In every detail, there is purpose waiting to be discovered.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Laish4×
- [was] Laish1×
- O Laishah1×
- Laish/ towards1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לָֽיִשׁ\׃1×
- לָ֑יְשָׁ/ה1×
- לַיִשׁ֒1×
- לַ֥יִשׁ1×
- לַ֗יִשׁ1×
- לַ֖יִשׁ1×
- לַ֖יְשָׁה1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 18:29
They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of the city used to be Laish.
This verse explicitly links the place name Laish to its later identity as Dan, showing how historical memory persists even after renaming.
-
I Samuel 25:44
Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.
Here, Laish identifies the father of Palti, grounding a personal tragedy in political reality while preserving his lineage.
-
Isaiah 10:30
Cry aloud with your voice, daughter of Gallim! Listen, Laishah! You poor Anathoth!
The variant form Laishah is addressed prophetically, highlighting its geographic significance north of Jerusalem during judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Laish mean in the Bible?
Why is Laish mentioned in Judges 18?
Who is Palti son of Laish?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 4 books)
Judges 4 verses
Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in safety, in the way of…
Judges 18:14Then the five men who went to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brothers, “Do you know that there…
Judges 18:27They took that which Micah had made, and the priest whom he had, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting,…
Judges 18:29They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel; however the name of…