Bible Dictionary
Leasing
“Leasing” is an old English word meaning lies, falsehood, or deceit. In the Psalms it describes the treachery and false speech of wicked people.
Definition
Leasing is an older English word meaning falsehood, lying, treachery, or deceit. It is the Authorized Version’s rendering of a Hebrew word otherwise commonly translated “lies” or “falsehood.”
Biblical Usage
In the Psalms, leasing describes the false speech and cunning treachery of wicked adversaries. The term emphasizes deceit rather than a lawful agreement involving property.
Historical Background
The word was retained from older English versions. The supplied material notes that its Hebrew root conveys devising, fabricating, lying, and deception.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Ps. 4:2; 5:6) an Old English word meaning lies, or lying, as the Hebrew word kazabh is generally rendered.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(falsehood). This word is retained in the Authorized Version of (Psalms 4:2; 5:6) from the older English versions; but the Hebrew word of which it is the rendering is elsewhere almost uniformly translated “lies.” (Psalms 40:4; 58:3) etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>lez'-ing (kazabh "to devise," "to fabricate," hence, "to lie"; occurs but twice in the King James Version (Ps 4:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "falsehood"; 5:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "lies"); the Hebrew word is translated "liars" (Ps 116:11); "lie" or deceive (Job 6:28)): The idea of treachery, lying, and deceit, lies at the root of this word. Joab's conduct is a good illustration of the meaning (2Sa 3:27; 20:8-10). In Ps 5:6 David is referring to the cunning, treachery, and falsehood of his adversaries; compare 2Sa 13:28; 15:7-9. Doubtless David had a special person in mind as being guilty of "leasing," probably Ahithophel.</p><p>William Evans</p>