זְבוּב
𐤆𐤁𐤅𐤁
zᵉbûwb
H2070 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of small flying insect, specifically a fly; in particular, refers to the common housefly or similar nuisance insects found in ancient Levantine environments. In certain contexts, can refer generically to any small, swarming insect that is troublesome to humans or animals; also forms part of the theophoric name Beelzebub ('lord of flies').
Semantic Range
fly (insect), nuisance insect, symbol of decay or pestilence; as element in personal or divine titles (Ba‘al-Zebub 'lord of flies'); collectively, swarming insects in certain metaphoric or poetic contexts
Root / Etymology
From root זבב (z-b-b), meaning 'to fly', especially with buzzing or irregular movement. The root is not attested elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, but parallels exist in related Semitic languages (e.g., Aramaic, Arabic) for similar insects and motion. The noun is a direct derivative from this root, designating the insect.
Historical & Contextual Notes
זְבוּב appears only a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Ecclesiastes 10:1 (the 'dead fly' in ointment), and as part of the title Ba‘al-Zebub (בַּעַל זְבוּב), 'lord of flies', a deity worshipped at Ekron (2 Kings 1:2-6). The term refers to the common housefly (Musca domestica) or closely related species, considered unclean and associated with decay and pestilence in ancient Israelite society. The image of flies often signified corruption, annoyance, or demonic influence, especially in later tradition (see the evolution into Beelzebub in later Greek and Christian literature). Standard English translation as 'fly' is accurate to the referent; however, it is important to note that the theophoric use (Ba‘al-Zebub) was likely intended as a polemical corruption of Canaanite or Philistine names/titles for their deities. The term does not, in biblical context, refer specifically to stinging insects such as wasps or bees; such insects use different Hebrew terms (e.g., דְּבוֹרָה for bee, צִרְעָה for hornet).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root (meaning to flit); a fly (especially one of a stinging nature); fly.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זבב (z-b-b) — to fly, to flit, to buzz
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2070-02 |
זְב֣וּבֵי | zevuvey | HNcmpc |
dead flies | flies of | 1 |
H2070-01 |
לַ/זְּב֔וּב | lazevuv | HRd/Ncmsa |
for the fly | to the fly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2070-01 |
Isaiah 7:18 | לַ/זְּב֔וּב | lazevuv | HRd/Ncmsa |
for the fly | to the fly |
H2070-02 |
Ecclesiastes 10:1 | זְב֣וּבֵי | zevuvey | HNcmpc |
dead flies | flies of |