לָקַק
𐤋𐤒𐤒
lâqaq
H3952 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lick with the tongue, to lap up liquid, typically referring to the action of humans or animals consuming moisture, water, or other substances with the tongue. In extended contexts, can describe the act of clearing or consuming something greedily or thoroughly by licking.
Semantic Range
to lick, to lap (water or other liquids), to consume greedily or thoroughly with the tongue; figuratively, to consume or devour completely
Root / Etymology
Root ל-ק-ק. The primary sense of the root is the action of licking or lapping, mimicking the quick motion of the tongue. לָקַק is a primitive verb directly expressing this motion and activity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb לָקַק appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is predominantly used in descriptions of animals (e.g., dogs lapping water, Judges 7:5–7) or, figuratively, of warriors or nations thoroughly consuming or devastating a place as animals might lap up liquid (e.g., Isaiah 49:26). In narrative contexts, it often serves to create vivid imagery, drawing attention to humility or abasement (e.g., warriors 'that lap' water as a dog) or to thoroughness in consumption or destruction. Standard English translations such as 'lap' and 'lick' generally capture the physical meaning, but the verb can carry figurative connotations of consuming something completely or eagerly. The word is limited in its occurrence to a few key narrative and prophetic contexts and does not develop specialized technical or liturgical meanings in later periods. Related roots in other Semitic languages similarly denote licking or drinking in a low or animal-like posture. The term is not used outside the basic sense of licking/lapping, and is distinct from verbs for drinking (such as שתה shatah), emphasizing the manner of action rather than the substance consumed.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to lick or lap; lap, lick.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לקק (l-q-q) — to lick, to lap, to consume with the tongue
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3952-04 |
יָלֹק֩ | yaloq | HVqi3ms |
laps | he will lick | 2 |
H3952-01 |
הַֽ/מֲלַקְקִ֤ים | hamalaqeqim | HTd/Vprmpa |
of those lapping | the lapping ones | 2 |
H3952-05 |
יָלֹ֧קּוּ | yaloqu | HVqi3mp |
they-will-lick | they will lick | 1 |
H3952-03 |
וַ/יָּלֹ֤קּוּ | vayaloqu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and-licked | and they licked | 1 |
H3952-02 |
לָקְק֤וּ | laqequ | HVqp3cp |
licked | they licked | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3952-04 |
Judges 7:5 | יָלֹק֩ | yaloq | HVqi3ms |
laps | he will lick |
H3952-04 |
Judges 7:5 | יָלֹ֣ק | yaloq-2 | HVqi3ms |
laps | he will lick |
H3952-01 |
Judges 7:6 | הַֽ/מֲלַקְקִ֤ים | hamalaqeqim | HTd/Vprmpa |
of those lapping | the lapping ones |
H3952-01 |
Judges 7:7 | הַֽ/מֲלַקְקִים֙ | hamalaqeqim | HTd/Vprmpa |
who lapped | the lapping ones |
H3952-02 |
1 Kings 21:19 | לָקְק֤וּ | laqequ | HVqp3cp |
licked | they licked |
H3952-05 |
1 Kings 21:19 | יָלֹ֧קּוּ | yaloqu | HVqi3mp |
they-will-lick | they will lick |
H3952-03 |
1 Kings 22:38 | וַ/יָּלֹ֤קּוּ | vayaloqu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and-licked | and they licked |