la.shon names the speaking organ, spoken expression, a people's language, and tongue-shaped features or objects.

The word most often concerns the organ of speech or what is said with it, including speaking, swearing, deception, and silence. It also identifies the language of a people and, in several noun phrases, a named portion of a sea, fire, or gold object.

1. Speech and utterance · dominant

   The noun marks speech as something spoken or directed against another. In 2 Samuel 23:2 the APB renders “his speech was upon my tongue”; in Isaiah 45:23 every tongue shall swear, while Isaiah 59:3 says that the tongue “mutters injustice.” Ezekiel 36:3 places it in a clause about slander, and Job 27:4 contrasts a tongue that will not utter deceit.

   2 Samuel 23:2Ezekiel 36:3Isaiah 45:23Isaiah 59:3Job 27:4Exodus 11:7
2. The bodily organ in mouth and throat · common

   The noun refers directly to the bodily member in actions or conditions involving the mouth. In Ezekiel 3:26 the APB renders the tongue sticking to the roof of the mouth and resulting muteness; in Judges 7:5 people lap water with it. Exodus 4:10 describes Moses as heavy of tongue, and Lamentations 4:4 depicts a nursing child's tongue cleaving to the palate in thirst.

   Ezekiel 3:26Exodus 4:10Judges 7:5Lamentations 4:4Isaiah 41:17Job 20:12
3. A people's language · common

   The noun identifies the language associated with a people or nation. Daniel 1:4 concerns instruction in “the language of the Chaldeans,” while Esther 1:22 and Esther 8:9 describe letters issued according to each people's language. Deuteronomy 28:49 and Jeremiah 5:15 describe an invading nation's language as not understood.

   Daniel 1:4Esther 1:22Esther 8:9Deuteronomy 28:49Jeremiah 5:15Genesis 10:5
4. A named tongue-shaped portion or object · occasional

   In several noun phrases, the term names a distinct feature or item rather than speech. Joshua 15:5 and Joshua 18:19 locate a border at “the tongue of the sea,” Joshua 7:21 names “one tongue of gold,” and Isaiah 5:24 uses “a tongue of fire” consuming stubble. Isaiah 11:15 likewise speaks of “the tongue of the Sea of Egypt.”

   Joshua 15:5Joshua 18:19Joshua 7:21Isaiah 5:24Isaiah 11:15

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term as “tongue” in bodily and speech clauses, but uses “language” where peoples are distinguished by speech. It also renders noun phrases such as “tongue of the sea,” “tongue of gold,” and “tongue of fire”; these are translation renderings rather than definitions.