זוּ (zu)
zu
this
H:DemPQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:DemP
Word Overview
The Hebrew word zu functions as a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" or "such." With only nine occurrences in the entire Bible, it is a rare term compared to more common words like zeh. It appears primarily in poetic and prophetic texts, including Psalms, Isaiah, and Exodus, where it often points to a specific person, object, or situation previously mentioned.
Its usage is straightforward but contextually precise. In these few instances, zu serves to identify or highlight what is being discussed, acting as a linguistic pointer. For example, in Psalm 102:19, it helps direct attention to the Lord’s view from His sanctuary. The word can also function relatively, meaning "which" or "whom," linking descriptions to their subjects.
Because of its scarcity, each occurrence carries significant weight. Translators typically render it simply as "this" or "such," relying on the surrounding context to clarify whether it refers to a thing or a person. Its limited presence suggests it was used for specific emphasis rather than general description, making these rare verses stand out in their respective books.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zu is a rare Hebrew demonstrative meaning “this.” It appears only nine times in Scripture, mostly in poetic and prophetic books like Psalms and Isaiah. Its scarcity gives it weight; when the biblical authors use it, they are pointing to something specific and significant.
In Psalm 102:19, zu directs our eyes to how God looks down from His sanctuary. It reminds us that He sees our situation clearly. This word helps us understand that God is not distant. He focuses on the details of our lives with precision and care.
When you read these verses, notice how zu highlights what matters most to God. Whether it is His people or His praise, He draws attention to them. This focus invites us to trust that He sees us too, right where we are.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- which6×
- whom1×
- who1×
- [the one] who1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ז֥וּ4×
- ז֣וּ3×
- זוּ֙1×
- ז֚וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:13
“You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation.
The word points directly to the redeemed people, emphasizing God's personal leadership and guidance.
-
Isaiah 43:21
the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise.
This usage defines the people formed specifically for God's praise, marking their unique identity.