מִזְעָר
𐤌𐤆𐤏𐤓
mizʻâr
H4213 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small amount, fewness, or littleness; in context, refers to something of small quantity or number, or the state of being insignificant or minor. It is typically used to describe a small part, amount, or remnant, often with emphasis on the relative insignificance or smallness in comparison to a whole.
Semantic Range
smallness, littleness, fewness, a small quantity, a small portion, a brief amount (of time), insignificance, a little while, a minor amount
Root / Etymology
From the root ז־ע־ר (זער), which carries the core meaning 'to be small, little, insignificant'. מִזְעָר is a noun form, expressing the idea of 'smallness', 'a small quantity', 'fewness' or 'insignificance'. The prefixed mem (מ־) generally nominalizes the root, forming a substantive meaning 'smallness' or 'something small'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מִזְעָר appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (notably in Isa 10:25, Isa 16:14, Isa 29:17), and is used in poetic or prophetic passages to emphasize brevity, small quantity, or insignificance—either of time, number, or substance. The broader root זער and its derivatives consistently convey the semantic idea of smallness or littleness, whether of size, number, status, or time. This term can be nuanced as 'a small moment' (Isaiah 10:25), 'a very little while' or 'a tiny amount', reflecting a relative judgment depending on context. English translations often render it as 'a very little', 'a small moment', or 'a few', which capture the diminutive sense but may not always convey the poetic or comparative dimension present in some Hebrew uses. Later Jewish exegetical traditions tended to interpret it quantitatively or temporally, retaining the core meaning of minimalness. Unlike other terms for 'few' (such as מְעַט), מִזְעָר carries an added implication of relative insignificance or brevity. In terms of historical development, there is no evidence for significant semantic shift across biblical periods, though post-biblical Hebrew prefers alternative forms. The English 'a very little' is adequate for most passages but insufficient to capture the connotation of fleetingness or relative insignificance in certain contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as זְעֵירxlit zeʻêyr corrected to zᵉʻêyr; fewness; by implication, as superl. diminutiveness; few, [idiom] very.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זער (z-ʿ-r) — smallness, insignificance, fewness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4213-01 |
מִזְעָ֑ר | mizear | HNcmsa |
few | a small amount | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4213-01 |
Isaiah 10:25 | מִזְעָ֑ר | mizear | HNcmsa |
while | a small amount |
H4213-01 |
Isaiah 16:14 | מִזְעָ֖ר | mizear | HNcmsa |
very-little | a small amount |
H4213-01 |
Isaiah 24:6 | מִזְעָֽר | mizear | HNcmsa |
few | a small amount |
H4213-01 |
Isaiah 29:17 | מִזְעָ֔ר | mizear | HNcmsa |
very little | a small amount |