לָעַב
la.av
to jest
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word 'la'av' (Strong's number: H3931) is translated as "to jest." Based on the available information, this verb appears to convey a lighthearted or playful tone, potentially even with a sense of mocking or ridiculing. The occurrence of 'la'av' in the Bible is limited to a single instance, suggesting that its usage is highly context-dependent and likely used to convey specific shades of meaning or emotional tone in a particular passage. Without further context, it's difficult to discern the precise nature of this jest or the intended audience. Given its singular appearance in the Bible, 'la'av' is unlikely to hold significant theological or doctrinal weight. Instead, its purpose seems to be a literary device used to create a particular atmosphere or highlight a character's emotional attitude, serving more as a stylistic choice than a core part of a larger message.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text