זִיז
𐤆𐤉𐤆
zîyz
H2123 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The term indicates a conspicuous or prominent feature, most frequently referring to an abundantly present animal—most often a wild creature or beast. In poetic passages, it can also denote abundance, particularly abundance as evidenced by the presence of numerous animals, or the fullness of an area—whether referring to creatures or, rarely, a prominent physical feature. The basic meaning centers around that which stands out, is abundant, or is especially noticeable, usually in a natural setting.
Semantic Range
prominent or conspicuous animal, wild creature, beast of the field, abundance (esp. as evidenced by living creatures), striking presence in the landscape
Root / Etymology
Root: ז-י-ז. The root is not attested elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible and is uncertain, but is generally associated with the sense of 'being conspicuous, prominent, or moving.' The form זִיז (zîyz) is a noun derived from this root, carrying the sense of an especially noticeable or prominent feature, either an animal (as a conspicuous wild creature) or else abundance manifested as prominent existence of creatures.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word זִיז is rare, occurring in poetic and wisdom literature (e.g. Psalm 50:11, Psalm 80:14, Job 40:20). Its use is often figurative or expansive, referring either to wild creatures in general or specifically to animals that are especially numerous or visible in a particular place. English translations frequently render the term as 'wild beast,' 'beast of the field,' or 'moving creature,' but this can obscure its emphasis on prominence or abundance. In later Hebrew (e.g., rabbinic), the root z-y-z may take on related senses, including 'to move' or 'to be prominent.' The term does not refer to a specific species but rather calls attention to the striking presence or abundance of wildlife. There are shifts between the sense of 'creature' and 'abundance' based on parallelism or poetic context. The rendering as 'fulness of the breast' is an interpretive gloss; in actual usage, the word is not attested in this sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root apparently meaning to be conspicuous; fulness of the breast; also a moving creature; abundance, wild beast.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זיז (z-y-z) — to be conspicuous, to stand out, to move
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2104 | זוּזִים | the Zuzim |
| H2124 | זִיזָא | Shining-One |
| H2125 | זִיזָה | and Zizah |
| H3151 | יָזִיז | He-will-make-prominent |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2123-02 |
וְ/זִ֥יז | veziz | HC/Ncmsc |
and the wild beasts | and conspicuous wild creature of | 2 |
H2123-01 |
מִ/זִּ֥יז | miziz | HR/Ncmsc |
from the abundance | conspicuous wild-creature | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2123-01 |
Isaiah 66:11 | מִ/זִּ֥יז | miziz | HR/Ncmsc |
from the abundance | conspicuous wild-creature |
H2123-02 |
Psalms 50:11 | וְ/זִ֥יז | veziz | HC/Ncmsc |
and the wild beasts | and conspicuous wild creature of |
H2123-02 |
Psalms 80:14 | וְ/זִ֖יז | veziz | HC/Ncmsc |
and-wild-beast | and conspicuous wild creature of |