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זֶה

𐤆𐤄

zeh

H2088 pronoun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain to indicate proximity, to specify, to emphasize present object or person

Definition

A masculine singular demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' (as opposed to 'that'), used to specify a person, object, or matter in direct proximity or of immediate reference. It can also function as a substantive, referring to 'this one' or 'the one here,' and appears in idiomatic constructions.

Semantic Range

this (masculine, singular), this one, here (idiomatic), now (idiomatic), the same (emphatic or restrictive), such a one, the very, used substantivally as 'the one here' or 'this person/thing', occasionally in set expressions with slightly broader meaning

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain. זֶה is an ancient, primitive word in Hebrew functionally aligned with cognate demonstratives in other Northwest Semitic languages. It belongs to a set of demonstrative pronouns that include the feminine זוֹת (zot) and forms like זוֹ (zo), but its internal etymological origin is debated and may not be derived from a semantically productive verbal root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, זֶה is the standard masculine singular demonstrative pronoun, appearing in both independent and attributive positions (e.g., 'this man,' 'this is the thing'). The corresponding feminine form is זוֹת (zot). In early Israelite texts (Pentateuch, former prophets), it is primarily spatial or logical ('this here'). By the later biblical period, its usage remains consistent, though phraseology may shift slightly. In post-biblical Hebrew, as in the Mishnah, zeh retains its function and sometimes appears in fixed expressions. English translations using 'this' or 'the one here' generally capture the sense, but some idiomatic uses—especially when זֶה is employed substantivally or in parallel constructions—are more nuanced than direct English equivalents. Contrasts with other demonstrative pronouns, such as the distal הוּא (hu, 'that') and later forms (Aramaic dēn), clarify its function both as a marker of proximity and as a means to introduce emphasis. The word does not refer to ethnic, geographic, or religious identity, and its meaning is strictly demonstrative. Later English translations may render some idiomatic uses as 'now' or 'here' (e.g., 'from now on'), but these are contextual extrapolations rather than core lexical values.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that; he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare זֹאת, זֹה, זוֹ, זוּ.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זה (z-h) — indication of proximity, specification, demonstrative reference

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1975 הַלָּז that one there
H1977 הַלֵּזוּ this very one
H2063 זֹאת in this
H2097 זוֹ this one
H5137 נָזָה this one

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2088-04 הַ/זֶּֽה hazeh HTd/Pdxms this this one 703
H2088-15 זֶ֣ה zeh HPdxms this this one 315
H2088-08 מִ/זֶּ֥ה mizeh HR/Pdxms from here from this 63
H2088-14 וְ/זֶ֕ה vezeh HC/Pdxms and this and this one 51
H2088-10 וּ/מִ/זֶּ֣ה umizeh HC/R/Pdxms and on that side and from this one 13
H2088-01 בָּ/זֶ֑ה bazeh HR/Pdxms here in this one 12
H2088-12 בָ/זֶ֖ה vazeh HR/Pdxms here in this 6
H2088-13 וְ/כָ/זֶ֔ה vekhazeh HC/R/Pdxms and-like-this and like this one 3
H2088-07 לָ/זֶ֗ה lazeh HR/Pdxms this fellow to this one 3
H2088-05 כָּ/זֶ֔ה kazeh HR/Pdxms like this like this one 3

Occurrences in Scripture

1178 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2088-15 Genesis 5:1 זֶ֣ה zeh HPdxms This this one
H2088-15 Genesis 5:29 זֶ֞֠ה zeh HPdxms this one this one
H2088-14 Genesis 6:15 וְ/זֶ֕ה vezeh HC/Pdxms And this and this one
H2088-04 Genesis 7:1 הַ/זֶּֽה hazeh HTd/Pdxms this this one
H2088-04 Genesis 7:11 הַ/זֶּ֗ה hazeh HTd/Pdxms this this one
H2088-04 Genesis 7:13 הַ/זֶּה֙ hazeh HTd/Pdxms this this one
H2088-14 Genesis 11:6 וְ/זֶ֖ה vezeh HC/Pdxms and this and this one
H2088-15 Genesis 15:4 זֶ֑ה zeh HPdxms this this one
H2088-08 Genesis 16:8 מִ/זֶּ֥ה mizeh HR/Pdxms from from this
H2088-04 Genesis 17:21 הַ/זֶּ֔ה hazeh HTd/Pdxms this this one
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