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זוּעַ

𐤆𐤅𐤏

zûwaʻ

H2111 verb

SILEX Entry

Root זוע to shake, to agitate, to tremble

Definition

To be in a disturbed or agitated state; to be visibly or inwardly shaken, moved, unsettled, or terrified, whether due to fear or intense emotion. The verb indicates both literal trembling or shaking, as well as more abstract emotional agitation or distress.

Semantic Range

to be disturbed, to tremble with fear, to quake, to be agitated, to be terrified, to be vexed, to be in turmoil

Root / Etymology

Root is זוּעַ (z-w-ʻ), relating to the idea of movement or agitation. The root carries the core sense of shaking, quaking, or being in motion, though its specific lexical usage points more toward states of disturbed agitation rather than mere physical shaking.

Historical & Contextual Notes

זוּעַ appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, occurring only as a verb form in contexts of emotional or existential disturbance, often as the result of a sudden calamity or terrifying experience. Its usage is primarily poetic or prophetic, as in Habakkuk 3:7 and Jeremiah 10:10, where it captures the reaction of nations or people to the manifestation of divine power. The nuance is less of ordinary shaking and more a profound, existential disturbance—physical trembling is often a result of overwhelming fear, awe, or shock. Compared to related roots such as רעשׁ (r-ʻ-sh, 'to quake, shake') or חרד (ḥ-r-d, 'to tremble, be afraid'), זוּעַ emphasizes the internal or communal agitation rather than just the physical motion. English translations vary ("tremble," "move," "be stirred," etc.), but can underrepresent the full intensity and breadth of the agitation implied. This term does not appear in everyday narratives, but rather in elevated, often apocalyptic or theophanic descriptions. Later Hebrew does not retain this root with the same intensity, and its appearance is almost always a marker of strong poetic or prophetic style.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to shake off, i.e. (figuratively) to agitate (as with fear); move, tremble, vex.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זוע (z-w-ʿ) — to shake, to agitate, to tremble

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2112 זוּעַ trembling one
H2113 זְוָעָה quaking terror
H2127 זִיעַ Tremor
H2188 זֵעָה in sweat of
H2189 זַעֲוָה for trembling-terror

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2111-03 זָ֣ע za HVqp3ms moved he trembled 1
H2111-02 שֶׁ/יָּזֻ֨עוּ֙ sheyazuu HTr/Vqi3mp when they tremble they will tremble 1
H2111-01 מְזַעְזְעֶ֑י/ךָ mezaezeeykha HVlrmpc/Sp2ms those who shake you your agitators 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2111-01 Habakkuk 2:7 מְזַעְזְעֶ֑י/ךָ mezaezeeykha HVlrmpc/Sp2ms those who shake you your agitators
H2111-02 Ecclesiastes 12:3 שֶׁ/יָּזֻ֨עוּ֙ sheyazuu HTr/Vqi3mp when they tremble they will tremble
H2111-03 Esther 5:9 זָ֣ע za HVqp3ms moved he trembled
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