לָט
𐤋𐤈
lâṭ
H3909 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The state or act of being hidden, secret, or covert; the noun can refer to secrecy or a concealed circumstance. By semantic extension, the word can denote an act performed in secret, or, on rare occasions, an incantation or form of magic, likely due to the association of secrecy with magical rites. The adverbial use stresses the manner of doing something covertly or quietly.
Semantic Range
secrecy, secret action, covert manner, hidden circumstance, secretly, softly, incantation, enchantment
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root לוט (l-w-ṭ), which means 'to wrap, envelop, cover'; לָט is either a derived noun or participle form, indicating that which is covered or concealed. The root meaning concerns the act of covering or enveloping, which developed into the notion of secrecy or hiddenness as found in this noun.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, לָט primarily denotes secrecy or an action performed covertly (e.g., 'in secret,' 'secretly,' 'softly'). It is attested in both narrative and poetic contexts and sometimes employed adverbially. The sense of 'enchantment' or 'incantation' is rare and likely arises from associations between secrecy and magical practices (see e.g., Isaiah 3:3, where it is traditionally rendered as 'enchanter'). In later Hebrew usage, the magical or incantational nuance is not prominent. The broader semantic field contrasts with synonymous roots such as סתר (to hide), which focus on physical concealment, while לָט can emphasize either the act of hiding or the state of being hidden, especially in non-physical, social, or communicative contexts (e.g., intent, speech, or schemes). English translations often render לָט as 'secretly,' 'privily,' or 'softly,' but these may not fully capture its range, particularly the subtle connotation of deliberate concealment. The term's usage is relatively stable throughout the biblical period, though references to incantation are best seen as contextual interpretations rather than the core lexical meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of לָאט or else participle from לוּט; properly, covered, i.e. secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb) covertly; enchantment, privily, secretly, softly.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לט (l-w-ṭ) — to cover, to wrap, to conceal
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3909-02 |
בְּ/לָטֵי/הֶ֑ם | belateyhem | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
with their secret arts | in their concealments | 3 |
H3909-01 |
בַּ/לָּט֙ | balat | HRd/Ncmsa |
secretly | hiddenness | 2 |
H3909-03 |
בַ/לָּ֔ט | valat | HRd/Ncmsa |
secretly | hiddenness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3909-02 |
Exodus 7:22 | בְּ/לָטֵי/הֶ֑ם | belateyhem | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
with their secret arts | in their concealments |
H3909-02 |
Exodus 8:3 | בְּ/לָטֵי/הֶ֑ם | belateyhem | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
with their secret arts | in their concealments |
H3909-02 |
Exodus 8:14 | בְּ/לָטֵי/הֶ֛ם | belateyhem | HR/Ncmpc/Sp3mp |
with their secret arts | in their concealments |
H3909-01 |
1 Samuel 18:22 | בַּ/לָּט֙ | balat | HRd/Ncmsa |
secretly | hiddenness |
H3909-01 |
1 Samuel 24:5 | בַּ/לָּֽט | balat | HRd/Ncmsa |
secretly | hiddenness |
H3909-03 |
Ruth 3:7 | בַ/לָּ֔ט | valat | HRd/Ncmsa |
secretly | hiddenness |