Lexical Summary laqaq: To lap, to lick Original Word: לָקַק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lap, lick A primitive root; to lick or lap -- lap, lick. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to lap, lick NASB Translation lapped (2), laps (2), lick (1), licked (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [לָקַק] verb lap, lick (Late Hebrew id., Pi`el; Arabic  lick, lap of dog (Wahrm)); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular לָֽקְקוּ 1 Kings 21:19; Imperfect3masculine singular יָלֹק Judges 7:5 (twice in verse); 3masculine plural יָלֹ֫קּוּ 1 Kings 21:19, וַיָּלֹ֫קּוּ 1 Kings 22:38; — lap, יָלֹק בִּלְשׁוֺנוֺ מִןֿ הַמַּיִם Judges 7:5, like of dog Judges 7:5 (absolute); of dogs lapping up blood (accusative), 1 Kings 21:19 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 22:38. Pi`el Participle plural with article הַמְֿלַקְקִים Judges 7:6 (בְּיָדָם אֶלמִּֿיהֶם is erroneous gloss, see GFM), Judges 7:7; in both = lap, lap up (= Oal Judges 7:5). לקשׁ (√ of following; Late Hebrew לקשׁ be late (Hiph`il and derivatives ); Aramaic Topical Lexicon Meaning and imageryלָקַק portrays the rapid, repetitive sweep of a tongue, whether lapping water or blood. Scripture employs the picture to emphasize alertness, completeness, and the certainty of either deliverance or doom. Occurrences and narrative context Judges 7:5-7 — Gideon’s men are pared down to three hundred who “lap the water with their tongues, like a dog.” Their alert, unknelt stance marks them for service and showcases divine deliverance through the few rather than the many. 1 Kings 21:19 — Elijah prophesies, “In the place where the dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, so also will the dogs lick up your blood—yes, yours!” The verb intensifies the announcement of covenantal judgment on Ahab. 1 Kings 22:38 — After Ahab’s death, “the dogs licked up his blood … according to the word of the LORD that He had spoken,” completing the prophetic cycle and underlining Scripture’s reliability. Symbolic and prophetic weight Watchfulness and selection – Those who lapped in Judges kept eyes forward, depicting spiritual vigilance (compare 1 Peter 5:8). God’s choice of such men highlights inner qualities over outward strength. Total judgment – To “lick up” leaves nothing behind; the image communicates thorough, irrevocable retribution (Romans 12:19). Validation of prophecy – The same verb in prediction and fulfillment (1 Kings 21:19; 22:38) demonstrates that God’s word never falls to the ground (Isaiah 55:11). Theological reflections Divine prerogative – Selection by the manner of drinking reminds believers that victory belongs to the LORD, not to numbers (2 Corinthians 12:9). Covenant justice – Ahab’s fate proves rulers are not exempt from Torah ethics; God vindicates oppressed Naboth and shames the oppressor publicly. Practical ministry applications • Cultivate spiritual alertness while “drinking” from the Word; do not lower vigilance amid refreshment. Related biblical motifs Dogs as agents of disgrace – Psalm 22:16-21; Philippians 3:2 reinforce the shame attached to being consumed by dogs. Licking dust – Isaiah 49:23 projects absolute submission, complementing the consuming action of לָקַק. The verb’s seven appearances weave a thread from vigilant selection to executed judgment, revealing a God who chooses the watchful, confronts evil, and keeps every word He speaks. Forms and Transliterations הַֽמֲלַקְקִ֤ים הַֽמֲלַקְקִים֙ המלקקים וַיָּלֹ֤קּוּ וילקו יָלֹ֣ק יָלֹ֧קּוּ יָלֹק֩ ילק ילקו לָקְק֤וּ לקקו ha·mă·laq·qîm hamalakKim hamălaqqîm lā·qə·qū lakeKu lāqəqū vaiyaLokku way·yā·lōq·qū wayyālōqqū yā·lōq yā·lōq·qū yaLok yaLokku yālōq yālōqqūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 7:5 HEB: כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־ יָלֹק֩ בִּלְשׁוֹנ֨וֹ מִן־ NAS: who laps the water KJV: unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water INT: everyone who laps his tongue at Judges 7:5 Judges 7:6 Judges 7:7 1 Kings 21:19 1 Kings 21:19 1 Kings 22:38 7 Occurrences |
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make or do late, לְקִישָׁא, 
late; vulgar Arabic 
be late (Hauran), Wetzst in DeJob 24:6, so II. Wahrm; 
late, DozySuppl. ii. 543).