Lexical Definition

‎שָׂחַק‎ sâchaq (saw-khak') to laugh ^H:V
a primitive root

deride, have in derision, laugh, make merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in (make) sport.

• to laugh (in pleasure or detraction)
• by implication, to play

1) to laugh, play, mock
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision)
1a2) to sport, play
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make sport
1b2) to jest
1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing)
1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly

See Greek: γελάω · ἐμπαίζω · καταγελάω · ὀρχέομαι · παίζω

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎שָׂחַק‎ verb laugh (|| ‎צהק‎, q. v.; Late Hebrew ‎שָׂחַק‎, ‎סָחַק‎; Ethiopic ); —

QalPerfect 3 masculine singular ‎׳‎‎וְשׂ‎ consecutive Prov 29:9 3 plural ‎שָֽׂחֲקוּ‎ Lam 1:7; Job 30:1 Imperfect 3 masculine singular ‎יִשְׂחַק‎ Job 39:7 +, etc.; Infinitive construct ‎שְׂחוֺק‎ Judg 16:24; Eccl 3:4 —

l. a. laugh at, usually in contempt, derision, with ‎עַל‎ person Job 30:1; Ps 52:8* ‎עַל‎ of thing Lam 1:7 with ‎ל‎ person God subject Ps 37:13; Ps 59:9* (|| ‎לָעַג‎); with ‎ל‎ of thing or person= have no fear of, Hab 1:10; Job 5:22; Prov 31:25 also, figurative, of noble animals Job 39:7; Job 39:18; Job 39:22; Job 41:21* absolute, Prov 29:9 (opposed to ‎רָגַז‎), of ‎׳‎‎י‎ Ps 2:4 (|| ‎לָעֵג‎), of wisdom Prov 1:26 (‎ב‎ temporal; || id.).

b. with ‎אֶל‎ person, apparently of friendly laugh Job 29:24 in general Eccl 3:4 (opposed to ‎בָּכָה‎).

2. sport, play, Judg 16:27. Pi`el Perfect 1 singular ‎וְשִׂחַקְתִּ֫י‎ 1Sam 6:21 Imperfect 3 masculine singular ‎וַיְשַׂחֶקֿ‎ Judg 16:25, etc.; Infinitive construct ‎לְשֵׂחֶקֿ‎ Ps 104:26 Participle ‎מְשַׂחֵק‎ Prov 26:19; 1Chr 15:29, feminine ‎מְשֵׂחֶ֫קֶת‎ Prov 8:30; Prov 8:31 plural ‎מְשַׂחֲקִים‎ 2Sam 6:5 +, ‎מְשַׂחֲקוֺת‎ 1Sam 18:7 —

1. make sport, Judg 16:25 (‎ל‎ person) 2Sam 2:14 (‎לִפְנֵי‎ person; in tournament), Prov 8:30 (‎לִפְנֵי‎), vProv 8:31 ‎ב‎ loc).

2. jest, Prov 26:19.

3. play: including instrumental music, singing and dancing 1Sam 18:7, c ‎׳‎‎לִפְנֵי י‎. 2Sam 6:5 (‎ב‎ instrumental), = 1Chr 13:8; 2Sam 6:21; 1Chr 15:29 ( + ‎מְרַקֵּד‎); of merry-making Jer 15:17 (|| ‎עָלַז‎), Jer 30:19; Jer 31:4 of children's sport Zech 8:5 of beasts Job 40:20; Ps 104:25 of man, play with (‎ב‎) crocod, Job 40:29*. Hiph`il (declar.) Participle. plural ‎מַשְׂחִיקִים‎ 2Chr 30:10 they uttered mockery ‎עֲלֵיהֶם‎ (|| ‎מַלְעִנִים‎).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References