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ζῆλος

zēlos

G2205 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An intense emotional state associated with eagerness, ardor, or fervor for a person, cause, or object; by extension, also referring to intense rivalry, jealousy, or envy when focused negatively. In general, 'zēlos' denotes strong feeling that may manifest as zealous enthusiasm or as possessive resentment, depending on context. In some instances, can refer to fervor in pursuing religious or moral ideals; in others, it signifies a resentful defensiveness or rivalry toward others.

Semantic Range

eager or fervent devotion, ardor, zeal (positive); rivalry, contentious eagerness, jealousy, possessiveness, envy (negative); zeal for God, competitive spirit, indignation

Root / Etymology

From the Greek verb ζέω (zeō, 'to boil, to be hot'), indicating metaphorically a heated state of mind or feeling. Cognate with Latin zelus and via Hebrew קִנְאָה (qin’ah) in some LXX usages, but fundamentally Greek in form and meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ζῆλος primarily indicated active emulation or admiring zeal toward someone worthy, often in positive contexts such as enthusiasm for virtue or competition. Over time, the emotional range shifted to include more negative senses, such as resentment or jealousy, often within interpersonal or social relationships. In the Septuagint, ζῆλος frequently renders Hebrew words for jealousy or zeal, especially in reference to divine or human possessive concern (e.g., God's 'zeal' for exclusive worship or a husband's jealousy). In the New Testament, the term oscillates between the noble sense of passionate commitment (e.g., 'zeal for God') and the pejorative sense of rancor or competitive envy. English translations rarely distinguish these senses, often relying on context to select 'zeal,' 'jealousy,' or 'envy.' Unlike Latin 'zelus,' which maintained a more positive connotation, Koine use of ζῆλος regularly shades into negative rivalry. Compared to related terms (e.g., φθόνος, which is usually only negative, 'envy'), ζῆλος is broader and context-dependent. In Greco-Roman and Second Temple contexts, ζῆλος could describe competition in social and religious spheres.

Translation Consistency

primary "zeal" 13 occurrences

Most common and natural English rendering for ζῆλος across contexts (captures eager, fervent devotion and ardor). 'Zeal' also covers the negative, possessive/jealous sense when context or modifiers indicate rivalry or envy, so it provides a single consistent lemma for all forms while allowing contextual qualification.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"jealousy" (2x) "jealousies" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ζέω; properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of God), or an enemy, malice):--emulation, envy(-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal.

Root Family

ζῆλος (zēlos) — heat, fervor, zeal, jealousy, intense emotion

Root ζηλ- to be heated, to feel strong emotion, to be zealous, to be jealous
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G2206 ζηλόω with zeal

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2205-04 ζῆλος zelos N NOM M SG jealousy heated zeal heated zeal 7
G2205-03 ζῆλον zelon N ACC M SG zeal zeal zeal 4
G2205-01 ζήλῳ zelo N DAT M SG jealousy with fervor with zeal 2
G2205-05 ζήλου zelou N GEN M SG with jealousy of fervent zeal of fervent zeal 2
G2205-02 ζῆλοι zeloi N NOM M PL jealousies he/she is zealous jealousies 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2205-04 John 2:17 ζῆλος zelos N NOM M SG zeal heated zeal heated zeal
G2205-05 Acts 5:17 ζήλου zelou N GEN M SG with jealousy of fervent zeal of fervent zeal
G2205-05 Acts 13:45 ζήλου zelou N GEN M SG with jealousy of fervent zeal with jealousy
G2205-03 Romans 10:2 ζῆλον zelon N ACC M SG zeal zeal zeal
G2205-01 Romans 13:13 ζήλῳ zelo N DAT M SG jealousy with fervor with zeal
G2205-04 1 Corinthians 3:3 ζῆλος zelos N NOM M SG jealousy heated zeal heated zeal
G2205-03 2 Corinthians 7:7 ζῆλον zelon N ACC M SG fervent mind zeal zeal
G2205-03 2 Corinthians 7:11 ζῆλον zelon N ACC M SG zeal zeal zeal
G2205-04 2 Corinthians 9:2 ζῆλος zelos N NOM N SG zeal heated zeal heated zeal
G2205-01 2 Corinthians 11:2 ζήλῳ zelo-2 N DAT M SG jealousy with fervor with zeal
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