ζῶον
zōon
G2226 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A living creature; most often, a sentient non-human animal (as distinct from plants or inanimate things), but contextually any living being distinguished by vitality. In some literary or figurative uses, refers to supernatural or hybrid beings, especially in apocalyptic literature (e.g., the 'living creatures' of Revelation). The primary sense is a being characterized by life (bios), usually animal life.
Semantic Range
living being, animal, sentient creature, non-human living thing, supernatural living being (esp. in apocalyptic literature), beast
Root / Etymology
From the root ζα- (to live), as seen in the verb ζάω (“to live”); ζῶον is a substantivized participial form meaning 'a living being', with the neuter ending. Cognate with βίος (life) but distinct in reference.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, ζῶον refers broadly to any living animal, in contrast to plants (φυτά) or inanimate objects. It was used both in everyday language and in philosophical discourse (e.g., Aristotle’s biology, where ζῶον denotes animals with sensation and movement, often opposed to plants). In the Septuagint, ζῶον is used to translate Hebrew terms for non-human animals, appearing where 'beasts' or 'living creatures' are meant (commonly for חַיָּה, chayyah). In the New Testament, ζῶον is infrequent but notable in Revelation (e.g., Revelation 4:6–9), where it designates the four 'living beings' around the throne—those are not ordinary animals but composite, often symbolic, supernatural beings, possibly drawing on Ezekiel’s throne vision in the Hebrew Bible. Standard English translations often render ζῶον as 'beast' or 'animal', but in apocalyptic contexts, 'living creature' more accurately reflects the imagery. Unlike θηρίον (G2342), which commonly refers to wild animals, often with a pejorative connotation, ζῶον is neutral and can encompass all animals or living beings depending on context.
Translation Consistency
"Creature" is a natural, single-word English noun that covers the full semantic range of ζῶον — a living being/animal and, where context requires, supernatural or hybrid living beings (as in apocalyptic literature). It is more flexible than "animal" (which can be too narrow) and more natural as a noun than "living" alone.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
neuter of a derivative of ζάω; a live thing, i.e. an animal:--beast.
Root Family
ζα- (zōon) — to live, to be alive
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2226-02 |
ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures | 12 |
G2226-01 |
ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
living creatures | living beings | creatures | 8 |
G2226-03 |
ζῴου | zoou | N GEN N SG |
living creature | of a living creature | living creature | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
23 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2226-02 |
Hebrews 13:11 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
of animals | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-01 |
2 Peter 2:12 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
animals | living beings | creatures |
G2226-01 |
Jude 1:10 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
animals | living beings | creatures |
G2226-01 |
Revelation 4:6 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
living creatures | living beings | creatures |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 4:7 | ζῷον | zoon | N NOM N SG |
living creature | of living beings | living being |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 4:7 | ζῷον | zoon-2 | N NOM N SG |
living creature | of living beings | living being |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 4:7 | ζῷον | zoon-3 | N NOM N SG |
living creature | of living beings | living being |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 4:7 | ζῷον | zoon-4 | N NOM N SG |
living creature | of living beings | living being |
G2226-01 |
Revelation 4:8 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
living creatures | living beings | creatures |
G2226-01 |
Revelation 4:9 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
living creatures | living beings | creatures |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 5:6 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-01 |
Revelation 5:8 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
living creatures | living beings | creatures |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 5:11 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-01 |
Revelation 5:14 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
living creatures | living beings | creatures |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 6:1 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-03 |
Revelation 6:3 | ζῴου | zoou | N GEN N SG |
living creature | of a living creature | living creature |
G2226-03 |
Revelation 6:5 | ζῴου | zoou | N GEN N SG |
living creature | of a living creature | living creature |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 6:6 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-03 |
Revelation 6:7 | ζῴου | zoou | N GEN N SG |
living creature | of a living creature | living creature |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 7:11 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 14:3 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-02 |
Revelation 15:7 | ζῴων | zoon | N GEN N PL |
living creatures | of living beings | of creatures |
G2226-01 |
Revelation 19:4 | ζῷα | zoa | N NOM N PL |
living creatures | living beings | creatures |