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זָג

𐤆𐤂

zâg

H2085 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זג to enclose, surround (presumed)

Definition

The exterior covering, specifically the skin or outer shell of a grape; by extension, the husk or peel that encloses the inner fruit. The word denotes the natural outer layer, particularly of a grape, distinct from the edible interior (pulp) and the juice within. Its usage is limited and highly specific to the context of grape processing.

Semantic Range

grape skin, grape husk, outer shell of a grape

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ז-ג (uncertain origin), which is not otherwise attested in Biblical Hebrew. The presumed root meaning is 'to enclose' or 'to surround,' referring to the function of the skin as an enclosing layer. The noun זָג appears to be a direct nominal formation from this root, signifying the concept of an enclosing shell or skin.

Historical & Contextual Notes

זָג occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Numbers 6:4), where it refers specifically to the grape skin in the context of Nazirite regulations (forbidden to consume 'skin or pulp' of grapes). The term does not have broader application in Biblical Hebrew to other fruit skins or general husks, unlike comparable terms such as קְלוּפָה (keluphah, 'peel') or קְלִפָּה (klippah, 'shell, rind'). English translations typically render זָג as 'skin' or 'husk' when referring to grapes, but may obscure its technical meaning as the distinct grape skin. In later Hebrew (Mishnaic and Rabbinic), the term's usage is preserved in similar technical contexts. There is no evidence of the term being used generically for other types of fruit coverings in the biblical period.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root probably meaning to inclose; the skin of a grape; husk.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זג (z-g) — enclose, surround

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2085-01 זָ֖ג zag HNcmsa the skins grape skin 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2085-01 Numbers 6:4 זָ֖ג zag HNcmsa the skins grape skin
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