מְלִיצָה
𐤌𐤋𐤉𐤑𐤄
mᵉlîytsâh
H4426 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A saying or utterance distinguished by its figurative, indirect, or enigmatic character; can refer to a maxim or aphorism marked by conciseness and subtlety, or a satirical speech or taunt. The term also extends to interpretive speech or (rarely) the act or product of interpretation in poetic or ambiguous language.
Semantic Range
aphorism, satirical saying, riddle or enigma, taunting speech, interpretive or figurative utterance, inspired poetic speech
Root / Etymology
From the root לוץ (lut͡s), which fundamentally means 'to scorn, mock, speak in a derisive or sly manner.' The noun מְלִיצָה derives from this root, carrying the sense of a 'saying' or 'utterance' characterized by indirectness, sophistication, or mockery, depending on context.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מְלִיצָה typically refers to speech or poetry characterized by enigma, indirection, or artistic wording, often associated with proverb-like sayings (e.g., Numbers 23:7) or with satirical biting speech (e.g., Psalm 49:4; Habakkuk 2:6). The underlying sense is language that is not straightforward—whether as riddled poetic discourse, sarcastic taunt, or maxims with layered meaning. In classical usage, it frequently connotes a distance from literal expression, emphasizing interpretative or indirect modes of communication. The term is less common in later Hebrew, where 'proverb' (מָשָׁל) becomes more standard. English translations often render it as 'taunting speech,' 'proverb,' 'riddle,' or 'satirical saying,' but these do not always capture the full nuance of poetic or enigmatic verbal expression. Unlike מָשָׁל (which is broader, often implying a complete proverb or parable), מְלִיצָה can lean heavily on the figurative, subtle, or even mocking aspects of language, particularly in poetic texts of the First Temple period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from לוּץ; an aphorism; also a satire; interpretation, taunting.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
לוּץ (lâtsôwn) — to mock, to scorn, to deride, to speak contemptuously
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3944 | לָצוֹן | mocker |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4426-01 |
וּ/מְלִיצָ֖ה | umelitsah | HC/Ncfsa |
and a figure | and a sly saying | and a figure | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4426-01 |
Habakkuk 2:6 | וּ/מְלִיצָ֖ה | umelitsah | HC/Ncfsa |
and a taunting proverb | and a sly saying | and a taunting proverb |
H4426-01 |
Proverbs 1:6 | וּ/מְלִיצָ֑ה | umelitsah | HC/Ncfsa |
and a figure | and a sly saying | and a figure |