זָרַב
𐤆𐤓𐤁
zârab
H2215 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
A verb meaning to flow, drip, or (of a fluid or something affected by heat) to ooze or melt away. It is used in contexts referring to the movement or melting of a substance as a result of heat, especially in metaphorical or poetic descriptions involving heat-induced change (such as waxing warm, melting, draining away).
Semantic Range
to flow away (as by melting); melt, ooze, drip, wax warm, disappear by liquefaction or heat-induced movement
Root / Etymology
Root: ז־ר־ב. The verbal root appears to signal motion of liquid, typically associated with melting, dripping, or oozing due to heat. However, it is a rare root, and its precise relationship to cognates in other Semitic languages is unclear. Word formation is directly from the root without clear evidence of derivation from earlier or related terms. Etymology uncertain beyond the root indication of fluid motion or heat-induced change.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This root is extremely rare and only occurs once in the Hebrew Bible (Job 6:17) in a poetic context, describing the effect of heat on streams — they 'vanish in the heat' or 'melt away.' Later Jewish interpretation sometimes conflated the root with more common terms for 'drip' or 'melt' (cf. נָמַס for 'melt, dissolve'). English translations often render this as 'vanish,' 'melt,' or 'dry up,' but the underlying sense is of heat causing liquid to flow, evaporate, or disappear. No known shift in meaning across historical periods due to infrequency of usage. No connections to later or post-biblical forms; not used in regular Hebrew speech outside this isolated occurrence. Distinct from other more common roots denoting melting or flowing (e.g., נזל, נמס).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to flow away; wax warm.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זרב (z-r-b) — flow, melt, ooze, drip
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2215-01 |
יְזֹרְב֣וּ | yezorevu | HVPi3mp |
they melt | they will be melted away | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2215-01 |
Job 6:17 | יְזֹרְב֣וּ | yezorevu | HVPi3mp |
they melt | they will be melted away |