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זָנָב

𐤆𐤍𐤁

zânâb

H2180 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זנב to trail, to follow after, to cut off

Definition

A tail—the hinder, flexible appendage of an animal's body; in extended usage, refers to what is at the rear, the end, or something secondary or subordinate. The term also occurs figuratively for the lowest position in a series, a person or group of low rank or status. The core sense relates to the literal anatomical tail, but extended metaphorical usage draws on the notion of being at the back or following after.

Semantic Range

tail of an animal; the lower, hind part; the end of something; the last in rank or position; subordinate person or group; figurative for least important or lowest position

Root / Etymology

Root: זנב, meaning 'to cut off' or 'to sever', though the exact derivation is debated. The noun זָנָב derives from this root and principally refers to the tail of an animal. Some suggest the root relates to the notion of trailing or being at the end, consistent with the function or position of a tail.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, זָנָב most often refers literally to the anatomical tail of animals (e.g., Exodus 4:4 with the serpent). It also appears in metaphorical contexts (Deuteronomy 28:13, 44), where it contrasts with 'head' (רֹאשׁ) to refer to lower status or the place of least prominence, often in covenantal or parabolic speech. The figurative usage highlights the symbolic value of the tail as representing the last, subordinate, or inferior part. No evidence exists of the term being applied to humans anatomically—its metaphoric sense applies to rank or position. English translations such as 'tail' are generally accurate for the literal sense; in figurative contexts, translation as 'the lowest' or 'those at the back' might clarify the intended meaning. Comparable Near Eastern metaphors underscore the widespread symbolic association of the tail with subordination or following after.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from זָנַב (in the original sense of flapping); the tail (literally or figuratively); tail.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זנב (z-n-b) — to trail, to follow after, to cut off

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2179 זָנַב and he rear-struck

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2180-05 וְ/זָנָ֛ב vezanav HC/Ncmsa and-tail and tail 2
H2180-04 לְ/זָנָ֔ב lezanav HR/Ncmsa for-tail for a tail 2
H2180-06 זָנָב֙ zanav HNcmsa tail tail 2
H2180-03 הַ/זְּנָב֖וֹת hazenavot HTd/Ncmpa tails the tails 1
H2180-07 זַנְב֧וֹת zanevot HNcmpc tails tails of 1
H2180-02 הַ/זָּנָֽב hazanav HTd/Ncmsa the-tail the tail 1
H2180-08 זְנָב֣/וֹ zenavo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his tail his tail 1
H2180-01 בִּ/זְנָב֑/וֹ bizenavo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by its tail by his tail 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2180-01 Exodus 4:4 בִּ/זְנָב֑/וֹ bizenavo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms by its tail by his tail
H2180-04 Deuteronomy 28:13 לְ/זָנָ֔ב lezanav HR/Ncmsa for-tail for a tail
H2180-04 Deuteronomy 28:44 לְ/זָנָֽב lezanav HR/Ncmsa the tail for a tail
H2180-06 Judges 15:4 זָנָב֙ zanav HNcmsa tail tail
H2180-06 Judges 15:4 זָנָ֔ב zanav-2 HNcmsa tail tail
H2180-03 Judges 15:4 הַ/זְּנָב֖וֹת hazenavot HTd/Ncmpa tails the tails
H2180-07 Isaiah 7:4 זַנְב֧וֹת zanevot HNcmpc tails tails of
H2180-05 Isaiah 9:13 וְ/זָנָ֛ב vezanav HC/Ncmsa and-tail and tail
H2180-02 Isaiah 9:14 הַ/זָּנָֽב hazanav HTd/Ncmsa the-tail the tail
H2180-05 Isaiah 19:15 וְ/זָנָ֖ב vezanav HC/Ncmsa or tail and tail
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