זָעַךְ
𐤆𐤏𐤊
zâʻak
H2193 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become extinguished or go out (referring to a flame, fire, or source of light); metaphorically, to cease to exist, perish, or disappear. The term encompasses both literal extinguishing of physical sources of light and the figurative end of life, people, or hopes.
Semantic Range
to be extinguished, to go out (of a lamp or flame), to perish, to disappear, to cease to exist, to be extinct
Root / Etymology
Root: ז-ע-ך (זעך). The root is associated with the idea of going out or being quenched, particularly with reference to fire or light. The word זָעַךְ functions as a verb, generally in the Qal stem. Its derivation from base notions of ceasing or vanishing connects it semantically to other Hebrew terms for extinction or annihilation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This verb occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is generally poetic in nature. Its most notable use is in Job 17:1, where Job laments that "my spirit is extinguished," using the word to invoke the image of a lamp or light going out—a common ancient Near Eastern metaphor for death or the loss of vitality. In later Hebrew, other roots (such as כבה) become the standard verbs for 'to quench' or 'to extinguish' in non-poetic registers. The figurative sense of ceasing to exist can refer to individuals, families, or peoples, but the term's limited biblical usage focuses mainly on existential extinction, not simply dousing a literal flame. English translations often render the word as 'extinguished,' 'put out,' or 'extinct,' but these may not fully convey the broader metaphorical resonance in ancient Hebrew usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to extinguish; be extinct.
Bantu Hebrew
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זעך (z-ʿ-k) — to become extinguished, to go out, to cease
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2193-01 |
נִזְעָ֗כוּ | nizeakhu | HVNp3cp |
are extinguished | they were extinguished | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2193-01 |
Job 17:1 | נִזְעָ֗כוּ | nizeakhu | HVNp3cp |
are extinguished | they were extinguished |