זַעַף
𐤆𐤏𐤐
zaʻaph
H2197 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or expression of anger, irritation, or indignation; intense displeasure or vexation, sometimes manifesting in tempestuous or stormy emotion. In nominal form, refers to the feeling, countenance, or atmosphere of anger or resentment, particularly as it is outwardly perceptible.
Semantic Range
anger, indignation, agitation, stormy emotional state, anger as visible countenance, outward vexation
Root / Etymology
From the root זָעַף, which at the verbal level means 'to be angry, to storm, to be vexed.' The nominal form זַעַף is thus a concrete noun derived from the verbal idea, denoting the emotional state or its outward manifestation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, זַעַף typically denotes a strong feeling of anger, vexation, or indignation. It is often used to describe a stormy or tumultuous disposition, whether of a person (e.g., Pharaoh's anger in Genesis 40:6; Nehemiah 5:6) or metaphorically of the land (e.g., famine described as 'evil' or 'angry'—Psalm 27:13 cf. 2 Kings 4:39). The word is not the most common Hebrew term for anger (cf. אַף 'wrath, nose' as in the flaring of nostrils), but it emphasizes a tempestuous, sometimes fleeting or eruptive state of emotion. In post-biblical usage, the root retains the sense of being disturbed or perturbed. Standard English translations capture the basic sense 'anger' or 'wrath,' but may not reflect its nuance of visible agitation or turbulence. In parallel with other Hebrew terms for emotion (e.g., חֵמָה 'fury,' קֶצֶף 'rage'), זַעַף often connotes a visibly stormy upset rather than the settled condition of wrath or enmity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from זָעַף; anger; indignation, rage(-ing), wrath.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זעף (z-ʿ-p) — to be angry, to storm, to be vexed, to be perturbed
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2152 | זַלְעָפָה | scorching fury |
| H2196 | זָעַף | and in his seething |
| H2198 | זָעֵף | and visibly upset |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2197-03 |
בְ/זַ֥עַף | vezaaf | HR/Ncmsa |
in rage | in stormy anger | 2 |
H2197-04 |
זַ֤עַף | zaaf | HNcmsc |
indignation | storming anger of | 2 |
H2197-02 |
מִ/זַּעְפּֽ/וֹ | mizaepo | HR/Vqc/Sp3ms |
from its raging | from his storming anger | 1 |
H2197-01 |
בְּ/זַ֣עַף | bezaaf | HR/Ncmsc |
in-rage | in storming-anger | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2197-01 |
Isaiah 30:30 | בְּ/זַ֣עַף | bezaaf | HR/Ncmsc |
in-rage | in storming-anger |
H2197-02 |
Jonah 1:15 | מִ/זַּעְפּֽ/וֹ | mizaepo | HR/Vqc/Sp3ms |
from its raging | from his storming anger |
H2197-04 |
Micah 7:9 | זַ֤עַף | zaaf | HNcmsc |
indignation | storming anger of |
H2197-04 |
Proverbs 19:12 | זַ֣עַף | zaaf | HNcmsc |
wrath | storming anger of |
H2197-03 |
2 Chronicles 16:10 | בְ/זַ֥עַף | vezaaf | HR/Ncmsa |
in rage | in stormy anger |
H2197-03 |
2 Chronicles 28:9 | בְ/זַ֔עַף | vezaaf | HR/Ncmsa |
in-rage | in stormy anger |