לָעַז (la.az)
la.az
to mumble
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb la‘az means to speak in a way that is indistinct or unintelligible. It describes speech that lacks clarity, rendering it difficult or impossible for listeners to understand. This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Psalm 114:1.
In that verse, the psalmist contrasts Israel’s experience with the nations, noting that they did not know what to say because their tongues were tied by a similar inability to articulate clear thought or praise. The term captures the frustration of being unable to communicate effectively, whether due to fear, confusion, or divine intervention.
Its rarity in Scripture highlights the significance of its single occurrence. It serves as a vivid image of speechlessness, emphasizing the miraculous nature of Israel’s deliverance when compared to the silence or confusion of other peoples. Translators often render it as "mumble" or "stammer," though the core idea is simply unintelligible speech.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for mumble appears just once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Psalm 114:1. Here it describes the nations who could not understand Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Their tongues were tied, leaving them unable to speak clearly or make sense of what God had done. This image reminds us that clarity often comes only through God’s intervention.
When we feel stuck in our own confusion, this verse offers comfort. It shows that understanding is not always a natural human ability but sometimes a gift from above. We do not need to force words when our minds are clouded by fear or circumstance. Instead, we can trust that God brings light where there was once only silence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- speaking a foreign language1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לֹעֵֽז\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 114:1
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign language,
This verse uses the word to describe the speechless confusion of foreign nations who could not comprehend Israel's miraculous Exodus.