זָרַר
𐤆𐤓𐤓
zârar
H2237 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sneeze; the act of producing a sudden, involuntary expulsion of air from the nose and mouth. The verb specifically denotes the physiological reaction or action of sneezing in its attested context.
Semantic Range
to sneeze; produce a sneeze (by expulsion of air); (only attested in context of physiological action, not metaphorical or extended senses)
Root / Etymology
Root: ז־ר־ר. The underlying root meaning appears to be connected to the idea of scattering or dispersal (cf. זָרָה, 'to scatter,' and זוּר, 'to be a stranger/turn aside'). The semantic derivation from 'disperse' to 'sneeze' likely rests on the notion of expelling or forcefully sending out air or particles. However, the direct derivation is uncertain and attested only in the specific sense of 'to sneeze' in biblical usage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
זָרַר is a rare verb, attested only in 2 Kings 4:35, where it describes the revived youth's action after being restored to life by Elisha—'the child sneezed seven times.' There are no other occurrences, and its meaning is supported both by ancient translations (LXX, Targum) and later Rabbinic understanding, all of which connect it to sneezing. The action of sneezing itself was at times considered significant within ancient Near Eastern and Israelite culture, often interpreted as a sign of life or restoration in narratives, but the verb carries no ritual or idiomatic sense in the Hebrew Bible. English translations consistently render it as 'sneeze,' reflecting the physiological event, and this captures the entire semantic range attested within biblical usage. The root shares phonetic similarity with other roots (e.g., זוּר and זָרָה), but its development as a distinct verb for 'sneeze' is unique within Tanakh.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (compare זוּר); perhaps to diffuse, i.e. (specifically) to sneeze; sneeze.
Bantu Hebrew
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זרר (z-r-r) — scatter, disperse, expel; sneeze (physiological expulsion)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2213 | זֵר | to his encircling border |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2237-01 |
וַ/יְזוֹרֵ֤ר | vayezorer | HC/Vmw3ms |
and sneezed | and he sneezed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2237-01 |
2 Kings 4:35 | וַ/יְזוֹרֵ֤ר | vayezorer | HC/Vmw3ms |
and sneezed | and he sneezed |