זַעַם
𐤆𐤏𐤌
zaʻam
H2195 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Intense displeasure, anger, or indignation, often expressed as fierce wrath or rage, particularly but not exclusively in the context of divine reaction to wrongdoing. While primarily used to denote powerful emotional responses, especially by a deity, it can also refer to the resulting punishments or acts arising from such wrath.
Semantic Range
fury, wrath, indignation, rage; curse; the result or outflow of anger; divine retribution; violent emotional response to offense
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root זעם, which has the core sense of 'to be indignant, enraged.' The noun זַעַם derives from this verb and conveys the state or expression of intense anger or fury. The root itself carries the idea of a violent emotional disturbance, possibly connected originally to the image of foaming at the mouth (as an idiom for wrath).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, זַעַם most often describes the intense anger attributed to a deity, particularly in response to covenantal violations or wickedness, but can occasionally be used for human expressions of fierce indignation. It is predominantly found in prophetic or poetic texts (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Psalms) where it serves to communicate the seriousness and fervor of retribution or judgment, as well as the emotional dimension of such acts. Compared to related terms such as חֵמָה (wrath, heat) or קֶצֶף (rage, fury), זַעַם tends to have a more pronounced sense of consequence or result—anger leading to decisive action or punishment. English translations variously render it as 'indignation,' 'fury,' 'wrath,' or 'curse,' though none capture all nuances; 'indignation' sometimes loses the sense of violent or consequential anger, while 'wrath' may fold it into generic categories of divine anger. In later biblical books and extra-biblical literature, the term's theological charge may be heightened. Occasionally, the term is associated with oracles of judgment, where זַעַם is personified or realized in historical calamity. Use of 'Jew' in English translations as an object of divine זַעַם reflects later theological developments and should be avoided in early Israelite or Judahite contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from זָעַם; strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure with sin); angry, indignation, rage.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זעם (z-ʿ-m) — anger, indignation, wrathful fury
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2194 | זָעַם | I will denounce in rage |
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2195-05 |
זַ֔עַם | zaam | HNcmsa |
indignation | he was enraged | 6 |
H2195-08 |
זַעְמִֽ/י | zaemi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
my-indignation | my fury | 4 |
H2195-09 |
זַעְמ֔/וֹ | zaemo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his indignation | his fierce indignation | 4 |
H2195-01 |
בְּ/זַ֖עַם | bezaam | HR/Ncmsa |
in indignation | in fierce wrath | 2 |
H2195-07 |
זַעְמֶ֑/ךָ | zaemekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your indignation | your fury | 2 |
H2195-03 |
מִ/זַּ֣עַם | mizaam | HR/Ncmsc |
because of the insolence | from wrath-of | 1 |
H2195-06 |
זַֽעַמְ/ךָ֥ | zaamekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your indignation | your fierce wrath | 1 |
H2195-02 |
הַ/זָּ֑עַם | hazaam | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the indignation | the fury | 1 |
H2195-04 |
וָ/זַ֣עַם | vazaam | HC/Ncmsa |
and indignation | and fierce wrath | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
22 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2195-08 |
Isaiah 10:5 | זַעְמִֽ/י | zaemi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
my-indignation | my fury |
H2195-05 |
Isaiah 10:25 | זַ֔עַם | zaam | HNcmsa |
indignation | he was enraged |
H2195-09 |
Isaiah 13:5 | זַעְמ֔/וֹ | zaemo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of His indignation | his fierce indignation |
H2195-05 |
Isaiah 26:20 | זָֽעַם | zaam | HNcmsa |
indignation | he was enraged |
H2195-05 |
Isaiah 30:27 | זַ֔עַם | zaam | HNcmsa |
of indignation | he was enraged |
H2195-09 |
Jeremiah 10:10 | זַעְמֽ/וֹ | zaemo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his indignation | his fierce indignation |
H2195-05 |
Jeremiah 15:17 | זַ֖עַם | zaam | HNcmsa |
indignation | he was enraged |
H2195-09 |
Jeremiah 50:25 | זַעְמ֑/וֹ | zaemo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
of His indignation | his fierce indignation |
H2195-08 |
Ezekiel 21:36 | זַעְמִ֔/י | zaemi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
My-indignation | my fury |
H2195-05 |
Ezekiel 22:24 | זָֽעַם | zaam | HNcmsa |
of indignation | he was enraged |