זָעַף
𐤆𐤏𐤐
zâʻaph
H2196 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be enraged or indignant; to be in an agitated state of anger, distress, or emotional upset. The verb denotes strong emotional disturbance, frequently manifesting as visible agitation, anger, or sorrow. In various contexts it describes persons who are angered, annoyed, or emotionally unsettled, but can also refer to being saddened or dejected.
Semantic Range
to be angry, to be sullen or vexed, to be agitated, to appear downcast or sad, to be emotionally disturbed or distressed
Root / Etymology
Root: ז-ע-ף. The root זעף conveys the basic sense of agitation, boiling, or seething. The verb זָעַף is derived directly from this root, with the primary idea of inward agitation, particularly as it expresses itself outwardly in anger or distress.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, זָעַף appears in contexts where an individual is emotionally disturbed, most commonly in a state of anger or vexation (e.g., 1 Kings 20:43, 21:4, Daniel 1:10). The verb can also denote more general agitation or sadness, reflecting inner turmoil (as in Daniel 1:10 where the emotion is worry or distress rather than overt rage). There is some overlap in usage with terms like קָצַף (to be enraged) and עָצַב (to be pained, grieved), though זָעַף more specifically conveys the sense of emotional 'boiling up,' not always negative but often implying a loss of composure. In narrative contexts, it often introduces pivotal emotional reactions. English translations frequently render it as 'be angry,' 'be sullen,' 'be sad,' or 'be distressed,' but no single English equivalent captures the full range; context is key for precise meaning. The term is not especially common and generally appears in narrative rather than legal or cultic texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; properly, to boil up, i.e. (figuratively) to be peevish or angry; fret, sad, worse liking, be wroth.
Bantu Hebrew
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זעף (z-ʿ-p̄) — boiling agitation, seething, anger, emotional disturbance
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2152 | זַלְעָפָה | scorching fury |
| H2197 | זַעַף | in storming-anger |
| H2198 | זָעֵף | and visibly upset |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2196-04 |
זֹעֲפִֽים | zoafim | HVqrmpa |
were troubled | seething ones | 2 |
H2196-01 |
וּ/בְ/זַעְפּ֣/וֹ | uvezaepo | HC/R/Vqc/Sp3ms |
and while he was angry | and in his seething | 1 |
H2196-02 |
וַ/יִּזְעַף֙ | vayizeaf | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he became furious | and he seethed | 1 |
H2196-03 |
יִזְעַ֥ף | yizeaf | HVqi3ms |
rages | he will seethe | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2196-04 |
Genesis 40:6 | זֹעֲפִֽים | zoafim | HVqrmpa |
were troubled | seething ones |
H2196-03 |
Proverbs 19:3 | יִזְעַ֥ף | yizeaf | HVqi3ms |
rages | he will seethe |
H2196-04 |
Daniel 1:10 | זֹֽעֲפִ֗ים | zoafim | HVqrmpa |
worse looking | seething ones |
H2196-02 |
2 Chronicles 26:19 | וַ/יִּזְעַף֙ | vayizeaf | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he became furious | and he seethed |
H2196-01 |
2 Chronicles 26:19 | וּ/בְ/זַעְפּ֣/וֹ | uvezaepo | HC/R/Vqc/Sp3ms |
and while he was angry | and in his seething |