שָׂחַק
To laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does שָׂחַק (yiśḥāq) mean in the Bible?
שָׂחַק (yiśḥāq) is a Hebrew word meaning "to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play". to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play BDB: laugh Usage: deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.
Meaning
Laughter spans from joy and play to mockery and derision; often implies power dynamics or superiority.
to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play BDB: laugh Usage: deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 10×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 13×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 1×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Additional Occurrences
Showing 8 of 36 occurrences in the biblical text.