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זְאֵב

𐤆𐤀𐤁

zᵉʼêb

H2061 noun

SILEX Entry

Root זאב to be a wolf, to act in a predatory or rapacious manner

Definition

A wolf, a large predatory canine native to the Levant; in biblical contexts, both a literal animal and, by extension, a figurative symbol of rapacity, predation, or a dangerous adversary. The term זְאֵב can refer concretely to the animal itself or metaphorically to human enemies, oppressors, or those who prey on the vulnerable.

Semantic Range

wolf (animal), predator, ruthless or greedy person (metaphor), symbol of rapacity or danger

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology section: The etymology is uncertain; while Strong's ascribes it to an 'unused root meaning to be yellow,' no such root occurs in biblical Hebrew. The word is attested in other Northwest Semitic languages (cf. Ugaritic ḏb, Aramaic דְּאַבָא), suggesting a non-Hebrew origin or a very ancient Semitic root. The lexical form זְאֵב is structurally a masculine singular noun.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historical & Contextual Notes: In the Hebrew Bible, זְאֵב is used to denote the wolf as a dangerous wild animal, frequently referencing its predatory nature (e.g., Gen 49:27, Ezek 22:27). The wolf is associated with fierceness and the attributes of a relentless hunter. In Israelite poetry and prophecy, the term also functions metaphorically: officials and foreign oppressors are compared to wolves to emphasize their greed or violence (e.g., Zeph 3:3, Hab 1:8). The symbol of the wolf contrasts with terms for domesticated animals like sheep (צֹאן) or lambs (טָלֶה), underscoring its role as a threat to the community. Later Jewish and Christian translations sometimes extend the metaphorical meaning further, associating wolves with false prophets or adversaries—meanings that develop from, but are not original to, the biblical usage. Modern English 'wolf' accurately renders the core zoological meaning, but some metaphorical nuances may be overlooked in translation. Use of זְאֵב in biblical narrative and poetry often carries overtones of fear, danger, and social instability.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to be yellow; a wolf; wolf.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זאב (z-ʾ-b) — wolf, predatory behavior, rapacity

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2062 זְאֵב and Wolf

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2061-03 זְאֵ֣ב zeev HNcmsa wolf wolf 4
H2061-02 מִ/זְּאֵ֣בֵי mizeevey HR/Ncmpc than wolves from wolves of 1
H2061-04 זְאֵ֣בֵי zeevey HNcmpc wolves wolves of 1
H2061-01 כִּ/זְאֵבִ֖ים kizeevim HR/Ncmpa like wolves like wolves 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2061-03 Genesis 49:27 זְאֵ֣ב zeev HNcmsa a wolf wolf
H2061-03 Isaiah 11:6 זְאֵב֙ zeev HNcmsa wolf wolf
H2061-03 Isaiah 65:25 זְאֵ֨ב zeev HNcmsa wolf wolf
H2061-03 Jeremiah 5:6 זְאֵ֤ב zeev HNcmsc wolf wolf
H2061-01 Ezekiel 22:27 כִּ/זְאֵבִ֖ים kizeevim HR/Ncmpa like wolves like wolves
H2061-02 Habakkuk 1:8 מִ/זְּאֵ֣בֵי mizeevey HR/Ncmpc than wolves from wolves of
H2061-04 Zephaniah 3:3 זְאֵ֣בֵי zeevey HNcmpc wolves wolves of
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