Strong's H3956 · Hebrew
לָשׁוֹן
lâshôwn · /law-shone'/
Definition
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge.
Root / derivation: or לָשֹׁן; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה; from H3960 (לָשַׁן);
KJV usage breakdown
How the Authorized (KJV) translators rendered לָשׁוֹן across 114 verses.
Every occurrence (KJV)
114 verses use this word, grouped by book — the translated form is highlighted.
Genesis3 verses
By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Genesis 10:20These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
Genesis 10:31These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
Exodus2 verses
And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. eloquent: Heb. a man of words heretofore: Heb. since yesterday, nor since the third day
Exodus 11:7But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Joshua6 verses
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. wedge: Heb. tongue
Joshua 7:24And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Joshua 10:21And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
Joshua 15:2And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward: bay: Heb. tongue
Joshua 15:5And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:
Joshua 18:19And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward: and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the south end of Jordan: this was the south coast. bay: Heb. tongue
Esther3 verses
For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. that it: Heb. that one should publish it according to the language of his people
Esther 3:12Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. scribes: or, secretaries
Esther 8:9Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
Job9 verses
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. from: or, when the tongue scourgeth
Job 6:30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? my taste: Heb. my palate
Job 15:5For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. uttereth: Heb. teacheth
Job 20:12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;
Job 20:16He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.
Job 27:4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
Job 29:10The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. The nobles: Heb. The voice of the nobles was hid
Job 33:2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. in my mouth: Heb. in my palate
Job 41:1Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? leviathan: That is, a whale or a whirlepoole which: Heb. which thou drownest?
Psalms34 verses
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. faithfulness: or, stedfastness their mouth: Heb. his mouth, that is, the mouth of any of them very: Heb. wickednesses
Psalms 10:7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. deceit: Heb. deceits vanity: or, iniquity
Psalms 12:3The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: proud: Heb. great
Psalms 12:4Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? are: Heb. are with us
Psalms 15:3He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. taketh: or, receiveth, or, endureth
Psalms 22:15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psalms 31:20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Psalms 34:13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psalms 35:28And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
Psalms 39:1To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. my mouth: Heb. a bridle, or, muzzle for my mouth
Psalms 39:3My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
Psalms 45:1To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Maschil: or, of instruction is inditing: Heb. boileth, or, bubbleth up
Psalms 50:19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. givest: Heb. sendest
Psalms 51:14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. bloodguiltiness: Heb. bloods
Psalms 52:2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Psalms 52:4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. O thou: or, and the deceitful tongue
Psalms 55:9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
Psalms 57:4My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Psalms 64:3Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
Psalms 64:8So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
Psalms 66:17I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
Psalms 68:23That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. dipped: or, red
Psalms 71:24My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Psalms 73:9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Psalms 78:36Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
Psalms 109:2For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. of the deceitful: Heb. of deceit are opened: Heb. have opened themselves
Psalms 119:172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Psalms 120:2Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
Psalms 120:3What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? What shall be given: or, What shall the deceitful tongue give unto thee? or, what shall is profit thee? done: Heb. added
Psalms 126:2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. hath: Heb. hath magnified to do with them
Psalms 137:6If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. my chief: Heb. the head of my joy
Psalms 139:4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Psalms 140:3They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.
Proverbs19 verses
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A proud: Heb. Haughty eyes
Proverbs 6:24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. of the: or, of the strange tongue
Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Proverbs 10:31The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
Proverbs 12:18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
Proverbs 12:19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth
Proverbs 15:4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A wholesome: Heb. The healing of the tongue
Proverbs 16:1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. preparations: or, disposings
Proverbs 17:4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Proverbs 17:20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that hath a froward: Heb. The froward of heart
Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 21:6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Proverbs 21:23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 25:15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Proverbs 25:23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. driveth: or, bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance
Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Proverbs 28:23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Proverbs 31:26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Ecclesiastes1 verse
Song of Solomon1 verse
Isaiah15 verses
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
Isaiah 5:24Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. fire: Heb. tongue of fire
Isaiah 11:15And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. dryshod: Heb. in shoes
Isaiah 28:11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. stammering: Heb. stammerings of lip will: or, he hath spoken
Isaiah 30:27Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: burden: or, grievousness of flame heavy: Heb. heaviness
Isaiah 32:4The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly. rash: Heb. hasty plainly: or, elegantly
Isaiah 33:19Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. stammering: or, ridiculous
Isaiah 35:6Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 41:17When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Isaiah 45:23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isaiah 50:4The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Isaiah 54:17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 57:4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
Isaiah 59:3For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Isaiah 66:18For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
Jeremiah6 verses
Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
Jeremiah 9:3And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:5And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. deceive: or, mock
Jeremiah 9:8Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. in heart: Heb. in the midst of him his wait: or, wait for him
Jeremiah 18:18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. with: or, for the tongue
Jeremiah 23:31Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. that: or, that smooth their tongues
Lamentations1 verse
Ezekiel4 verses
For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; of a: Heb. deep of lip, and heavy of tongue
Ezekiel 3:6Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. of a: Heb. deep of lip, and heavy of language Surely: or, If I had sent thee, etc. would they not have hearkened unto thee?
Ezekiel 3:26And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. a reprover: Heb. a man reproving
Ezekiel 36:3Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people: Because: Heb. Because for because are: or, ye are made to come up on the lip of the tongue
Zechariah2 verses
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Zechariah 14:12And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Topics that use this word
Frequently asked questions
What does Strong's H3956 (lâshôwn) mean?
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
How many times does H3956 appear in the Bible?
Strong's H3956 (לָשׁוֹן) appears in 114 verses of the King James Version, most often translated “tongue.”
How is lâshôwn translated in the KJV?
In the KJV, Strong's H3956 is rendered as “tongue” (89×), “language” (9×), “tongues” (9×), “bay” (3×), among other words.
Where does the Hebrew word לָשׁוֹן come from?
or לָשֹׁן; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה; from H3960 (לָשַׁן);