לָשׁוֹן (la.shon)

The Hebrew noun lashon primarily denotes the tongue, serving as both the physical organ of speech and a metonym for language itself. In Genesis 10, it distinguishes the diverse linguistic groups that formed after the flood, while in Exodus 4:10, Moses uses it literally to describe his own speech impediment before God. This dual usage highlights how ancient Hebrew thought often linked the physical capacity for sound directly with the identity of a people or their mode of communication.

Beyond human speech, lashon appears in vivid figurative images that rely on its shape. In Isaiah 30:33, it describes a tongue of fire to illustrate divine judgment, and in Joshua 7:21, Achan’s stolen goods include a wedge of gold shaped like a tongue. The sources also note its use for the tongues of animals, such as the silent tongues in Psalm 114:8, emphasizing its broad application across creation.

In wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs and Psalms, the word carries significant ethical weight. It frequently represents the power of speech to heal or harm. Proverbs 15:4 contrasts a soothing tongue with a spirit that is broken, while Psalm 120:3 questions what God will give to a deceitful tongue. This usage underscores the belief that words are not merely sounds but actions with real consequences.