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ζηλόω

zēlóō

G2206 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To be deeply moved or stirred by intense feeling toward someone or something; to desire earnestly or strive after with intense interest or concern. The word can convey positive sense (to strive after, to show zeal for, to be devoted to) or negative sense (to envy, to be jealous, to bear resentment). Its semantic range covers a spectrum between zealous pursuit and envious rivalry, depending on context.

Semantic Range

to strive after, to show fervent interest, to emulate, to be jealous, to envy, to bear jealousy or rivalry, to be devoted passionately, to covet earnestly

Root / Etymology

From the noun ζῆλος (zēlos, 'zeal, jealousy, ardor'), itself from the root ζηλ-/ζηλο-, expressing intense feeling or fervor. Related to verbs of imitative passion or intense interest.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ζηλόω (zēlóō) appears in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek with meanings relating to both positive zeal and negative jealousy. In classical Greek, it could mean to be enthusiastic for or emulate someone, as well as to be jealous or begrudge. In the Septuagint and New Testament, use often hinges on context: it may describe positive passionate devotion or negative personal rivalry. For example, in the Pauline epistles, it can mean 'to strive after spiritual gifts' (positive) or 'to bear jealousy/envy' (negative). While English translations sometimes split the word into 'to envy' and 'to be zealous', the underlying Greek term expresses an intense, affective orientation that can be constructive (zeal, devotion) or destructive (envy, rivalry). Related terms include ζῆλος ('zeal, jealousy'), ζηλωτής ('zealot, enthusiast'), and ζηλοτυπία ('jealousy, rivalry'). Unlike φθονέω, which focuses on envy in a malicious sense, ζηλόω covers both competitive desire and passionate emulation. In translation tradition, the nuance can be lost if only one sense ('jealous', 'envy', or 'zealous') is chosen without reference to context.

Translation Consistency

primary "be zealous" 0 occurrences

ζηλόω most commonly denotes fervent striving or passionate devotion (and by extension jealousy/envy in negative contexts). 'Be zealous' is a natural English rendering that covers the typical positive sense (strive after, be devoted) while still allowing contextual shading toward jealousy or envy, and it can be consistently inflected across all forms.

Alternatives (12 occurrences):
"zealous" (4x) "zealous, all of you" (3x) "having been jealous" (1x) "having been zealous" (1x) "zealously desires" (1x) "zealously desired" (1x) "envy" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ζῆλος; to have warmth of feeling for or against:--affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, be jealous over, (be) zealous(-ly affect).

Root Family

ζηλόω (zēloō) — be zealous, be jealous, desire earnestly, envy

Root ζηλ- to be zealous, to be jealous, to desire earnestly, to envy
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2205 ζῆλος he/she is zealous

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2206-07 ζηλοῦτε zeloute V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL desire Be zealous Be zealous, all of you. 5
G2206-04 ζηλώσαντες zelosantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL became jealous having been zealous having been jealous 2
G2206-05 ζηλοῦσιν zelousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL are zealous for they are zealous they are zealous 1
G2206-06 ζηλοῦσθαι zelousthai V PRS PASS INF to be zealously sought to be zealously desired to be zealously desired 1
G2206-03 ζηλοῖ zeloi V PRS ACT IND 3P SG envieth zealously desires zealously desires 1
G2206-02 ζηλῶ zelo V PRS ACT IND 1P SG am jealous with zeal I am zealous 1
G2206-01 ζήλευε zeleue V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG be zealous Be zealous Be zealous 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2206-04 Acts 7:9 ζηλώσαντες zelosantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL became jealous having been zealous having been jealous
G2206-04 Acts 17:5 ζηλώσαντες zelosantes V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M PL becoming jealous having been zealous having been zealous
G2206-07 1 Corinthians 12:31 ζηλοῦτε zeloute V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL earnestly desire Be zealous Be zealous, all of you.
G2206-03 1 Corinthians 13:4 ζηλοῖ zeloi V PRS ACT IND 3P SG envieth zealously desires zealously desires
G2206-07 1 Corinthians 14:1 ζηλοῦτε zeloute V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL desire Be zealous Be zealous, all of you.
G2206-07 1 Corinthians 14:39 ζηλοῦτε zeloute V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL desire Be zealous Be zealous, all of you.
G2206-02 2 Corinthians 11:2 ζηλῶ zelo V PRS ACT IND 1P SG am jealous with zeal I am zealous
G2206-05 Galatians 4:17 ζηλοῦσιν zelousin V PRS ACT IND 3P PL are zealous for they are zealous they are zealous
G2206-07 Galatians 4:17 ζηλοῦτε zeloute V PRS ACT SUBJ 2P PL you may be zealous for Be zealous you may be zealous
G2206-06 Galatians 4:18 ζηλοῦσθαι zelousthai V PRS PASS INF to be zealously sought to be zealously desired to be zealously desired
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