מִלָּה
mil.lah
speech
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word מִלָּה (mil.lah) carries a fundamental meaning of "speech." With 38 occurrences in the Bible, it is a relatively common term used across various contexts. The frequency of its usage suggests that speech played a significant role in the lives of ancient Israelites. The word's meaning encompasses not only spoken words but possibly also inner thoughts, since speech can refer to one's inner musings (Psalm 39:1-4). This association broadens its scope to include all forms of verbal expression, including both external speech and internal reflections. As such, mil.lah highlights the significance of language and communication in the ancient Israelite's world. While its broad meaning encompasses various aspects of communication, mil.lah does not specifically refer to any particular type of speech, such as lying, prophesying, or singing, for instance. Its general term allows for nuanced expressions that convey a wide range of spoken and unspoken communications in biblical narratives and poetry.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
38 total occurrences across the text
“If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
Job 4:4Your words have supported him who was falling, You have made firm the feeble knees.
Job 6:26Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
Job 8:10Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?
Job 12:11Doesn’t the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?
Job 13:17Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
Job 15:3Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or with speeches with which he can do no good?
Job 15:13That you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth?
Job 16:4I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,
Job 18:2“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
Job 19:2“How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?
Job 19:23“Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
Job 21:2“Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.
Job 23:5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would tell me.
Job 24:25If it isn’t so now, who will prove me a liar, and make my speech worth nothing?”
Job 26:4To whom have you uttered words? Whose spirit came out of you?
Job 29:9The princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
Job 29:22After my words they didn’t speak again. My speech fell on them.
Job 30:9“Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them.
Job 32:11“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
Job 32:14for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.
Job 32:15“They are amazed. They answer no more. They don’t have a word to say.
Job 32:18For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.
Job 33:1“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
Job 33:8“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
Job 33:32If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
Job 34:2“Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
Job 34:3For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
Job 34:16“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
Job 35:4I will answer you, and your companions with you.
Job 36:4For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
Job 38:2“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Psalms 19:4Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Psalms 139:4For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
Job 35:16Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”
Job 36:2“Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.
Proverbs 23:9Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
2 Samuel 23:2“Yahweh’s Spirit spoke by me. His word was on my tongue.