זִיו
𐤆𐤉𐤅
zîyv
H2122 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Radiance, brightness, or splendor; typically used to denote visible brilliance, luminosity, or the shining aspect of a person or object, particularly in descriptions of physical appearance (such as a radiant face or countenance) or as a metaphor for prominence or distinction.
Semantic Range
radiance, brightness, splendor, luminous countenance, glowing appearance, visible brilliance, metaphorical distinction
Root / Etymology
From the root זיו (z-y-w), meaning 'to shine, be bright, or radiant.' The noun form זִיו derives from this root with the meaning of physical or metaphorical brightness. It is of Aramaic origin but appears in some Hebrew texts, where it retains its meaning of radiance or brilliance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
זִיו appears primarily in Aramaic passages in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Daniel), and is used to describe the shining appearance or brilliance of a person's face or countenance, often in a metaphorical sense to indicate wellbeing, favor, or vitality. While most English Bible translations render this word as 'brightness' or 'radiance,' the nuance includes the visible aspect of shining or glowing, reflecting either outward glow or inner joy. The term is distinct from אור (’or, 'light') which generally refers to physical light, and הדר (hadar, 'majesty, splendor') which carries the sense of honor or grandeur more than visible luminescence. While the English term 'cheerfulness' appears in some translations, the primary sense in the biblical context is visible radiance rather than internal mood. In post-biblical Hebrew, the word shifts toward meaning 'splendor' or 'glory.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to זִו; (figuratively) cheerfulness; brightness, countenance.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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זיו (z-y-w) — shine, radiate, be bright
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2099 | זִו | Radiance-Month |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2122-01 |
וְ/זִיוֺ֖/הִי | veziohi | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and-his-countenance | and his radiances | 1 |
H2122-05 |
וְ/זִוִ/י֙ | vezivi | AC/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
and-my-brightness | and my radiance | 1 |
H2122-03 |
וְ/זִיוָ֖י/ךְ | vezivaykhe | AC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms |
and your countenance | and your radiances | 1 |
H2122-06 |
זִיוֺ֣/הִי | ziohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
his brightness | his radiances | 1 |
H2122-04 |
וְ/זִיוֵ֥/הּ | veziveh | AC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
whose brightness | and his radiance | 1 |
H2122-02 |
וְ/זִיוַ/י֙ | vezivay | AC/Ncmpc/Sp1cs |
and my color | and my radiances | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2122-04 |
Daniel 2:31 | וְ/זִיוֵ֥/הּ | veziveh | AC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
whose brightness | and his radiance |
H2122-05 |
Daniel 4:33 | וְ/זִוִ/י֙ | vezivi | AC/Ncmsc/Sp1cs |
and-my-brightness | and my radiance |
H2122-06 |
Daniel 5:6 | זִיוֺ֣/הִי | ziohi | ANcmpc/Sp3ms |
his brightness | his radiances |
H2122-01 |
Daniel 5:9 | וְ/זִיוֺ֖/הִי | veziohi | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and-his-countenance | and his radiances |
H2122-03 |
Daniel 5:10 | וְ/זִיוָ֖י/ךְ | vezivaykhe | AC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms |
and your countenance | and your radiances |
H2122-02 |
Daniel 7:28 | וְ/זִיוַ/י֙ | vezivay | AC/Ncmpc/Sp1cs |
and my color | and my radiances |