שְׂחוֹק
𐤔𐤇𐤅𐤒
sᵉchôwq
H7814 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Laughter, encompassing both joyful amusement and scornful mockery; can denote the act or sound of laughing, as well as the concept of merriment, jest, or ridicule. In some contexts, it conveys the idea of derision or being made the object of scorn. The nature of the laughter—whether positive (joy, exuberance) or negative (mockery, contempt)—is determined by context.
Semantic Range
laughter, laughter (in joy), laughter (in scorn), mockery, ridicule, amusement, play, jest, sport
Root / Etymology
From the root שׂחק (ś-ḥ-q), which means 'to laugh, play, amuse oneself, mock.' The noun שְׂחוֹק is a nominal form derived from this root, signifying laughter in general, which may be expressed in delight or derision depending on context.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׂחוֹק appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible but resonates with nuanced connotations based on the speaker and situation. In narratives involving interpersonal relations, it may mark celebration, folly, or arrogance (e.g., Job 8:21, where it appears in the context of restored joy; Psalms 126:2, celebrating return from exile). Conversely, in prophetic or wisdom texts it may indicate contemptuous ridicule, as when someone or something is subjected to public mockery (Job 12:4, Proverbs 29:9). The related verb שָׂחַק forms the basis not only of laughter but also of concepts like sport or play (e.g., Genesis 21:9). The semantic overlap between healthy amusement and derogatory contempt is notable and reflects a broad emotional and social spectrum. English translations frequently narrow the sense to 'laughter' or 'mockery,' but original usage requires attention to context. Unlike other Hebrew words for joy (e.g., שִׂמְחָה, simḥah), שְׂחוֹק's range includes derisive as well as spontaneous public joy.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or שְׂחֹק; from שָׂחַק; laughter (in merriment or defiance); derision, laughter(-ed to scorn, -ing), mocked, sport.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׂחק (ś-ḥ-q) — to laugh, to play, to mock
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7814-06 |
שְׂח֡וֹק | sechoq | HNcmsa |
laughingstock | laughter | 6 |
H7814-04 |
לִ/שְׂחוֹק֙ | lisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
a derision | for laughter | 5 |
H7814-01 |
בִּ/שְׂח֥וֹק | bisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
in laughter | in laughter | 1 |
H7814-03 |
כִּ/שְׂח֣וֹק | kisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
like a sport | like laughter | 1 |
H7814-02 |
הַ/שְּׂחֹ֗ק | hasechoq | HTd/Ncmsa |
a laughingstock | the laughter | 1 |
H7814-05 |
מִ/שְּׂחֹ֑ק | misechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
from laughter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7814-04 |
Jeremiah 20:7 | לִ/שְׂחוֹק֙ | lisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
for a laughingstock | for laughter |
H7814-04 |
Jeremiah 48:26 | לִ/שְׂחֹ֖ק | lisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
for-a-laughingstock | for laughter |
H7814-02 |
Jeremiah 48:27 | הַ/שְּׂחֹ֗ק | hasechoq | HTd/Ncmsa |
a laughingstock | the laughter |
H7814-04 |
Jeremiah 48:39 | לִ/שְׂחֹ֥ק | lisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
a derision | for laughter |
H7814-06 |
Psalms 126:2 | שְׂח֡וֹק | sechoq | HNcmsa |
with laughter | laughter |
H7814-03 |
Proverbs 10:23 | כִּ/שְׂח֣וֹק | kisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
like a sport | like laughter |
H7814-01 |
Proverbs 14:13 | בִּ/שְׂח֥וֹק | bisechoq | HR/Ncmsa |
in laughter | in laughter |
H7814-06 |
Job 8:21 | שְׂח֣וֹק | sechoq | HNcmsa |
laughter | laughter |
H7814-06 |
Job 12:4 | שְׂחֹ֤ק | sechoq | HNcmsa |
laughingstock | laughter |
H7814-06 |
Job 12:4 | שְׂ֝ח֗וֹק | sechoq-2 | HNcmsa |
laughingstock | laughter |