לָטַשׁ
𐤋𐤈𐤔
lâṭash
H3913 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sharpen, especially by grinding, whetting, or hammering; to make a tool, weapon, or implement keen-edged or fit for use. The term is typically used in relation to physical objects such as swords, axes, or other metal implements, and in a limited sense can denote the act of preparing or equipping by means of sharpening.
Semantic Range
to sharpen a tool or weapon, to hammer or forge an edge, to polish, to prepare a blade for use, one who sharpens (rarely as noun)
Root / Etymology
From root לטש (ל-ט-שׁ), likely expressing the notion of striking, polishing, or making keen. The root carries the basic sense of applying work—often by hammering or friction—to sharpen the edge of a metallic object. The derived verb form לָטַשׁ conveys the specific process of sharpening or polishing, especially for practical tools or arms. The noun form exists rarely, denoting one who sharpens or a device for sharpening.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, לָטַשׁ appears in texts such as Genesis 4:22, where Tubal-cain is described as a forger or sharpener of instruments of bronze and iron—highlighting early technological craftsmanship in Iron Age society. Other occurrences (e.g., Isaiah 41:7, Psalm 7:13) emphasize its usage for metalworking, especially forging or sharpening weapons. While the English word 'instructer' appears in some translations due to ambiguous noun forms, the usage in Hebrew is almost exclusively physical, not metaphorical; there is no reliable biblical instance of לָטַשׁ being used in the sense of mental or spiritual instruction. The semantic focus is on preparation and readiness via technological means. Not all English translations fully convey the specificity of the sharpening/crafting context, sometimes generalizing it as 'smith' or 'craftsman.' The root is distinct from חָרַשׁ (to engrave, plow, devise) and צָרַף (to refine, smelt), occupying a narrower semantic range related specifically to the act of sharpening or making fit by edge-work.
Translation Consistency
“Sharpen” naturally covers the typical sense (whetting, grinding, polishing) and extends to preparing/setting an edge by hammering or forging. It is the common, natural English verb already used in most occurrences and will provide consistent renderings for all forms of H3913.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to hammer out (an edge), i.e. to sharpen; instructer, sharp(-en), whet.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
לטש (Letushim) — to sharpen, to polish, to smooth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3912 | לְטוּשִׁם | and the sharpened-ones |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3913-04 |
יִלְט֖וֹשׁ | yiletosh | HVqi3ms |
he sharpens | he will sharpen | he sharpens | 2 |
H3913-01 |
לִ֠/לְטוֹשׁ | liletosh | HR/Vqc |
to sharpen | to sharpen | to sharpen | 1 |
H3913-02 |
לֹטֵ֕שׁ | lotesh | HVqrmsc |
forger | sharpener of | forger of | 1 |
H3913-03 |
מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ | melutash | HVPsmsa |
sharpened | hammer-sharpened | sharpened | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3913-02 |
Genesis 4:22 | לֹטֵ֕שׁ | lotesh | HVqrmsc |
forger | sharpener of | forger of |
H3913-01 |
1 Samuel 13:20 | לִ֠/לְטוֹשׁ | liletosh | HR/Vqc |
to sharpen | to sharpen | to sharpen |
H3913-04 |
Psalms 7:13 | יִלְט֑וֹשׁ | yiletosh | HVqi3ms |
he sharpens | he will sharpen | he sharpens |
H3913-03 |
Psalms 52:4 | מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ | melutash | HVPsmsa |
sharpened | hammer-sharpened | sharpened |
H3913-04 |
Job 16:9 | יִלְט֖וֹשׁ | yiletosh | HVqi3ms |
sharpens | he will sharpen | he sharpens |