זוּל (zul)
zul
to lavish/despise
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb zul carries a core meaning of pouring out or lavishing something freely. In its basic Qal stem, it describes the act of giving abundantly, often with an implication that the giver treats the object as having little intrinsic value. This sense of "cheapness" or light esteem is central to understanding how the word functions in contexts where generosity borders on disregard for worth.
The Hiphil stem shifts this meaning toward active contempt, translating directly to "despise." This development from pouring out to holding in low regard suggests a theological link: treating something as worthless leads to its dismissal. The sources note this usage appears sparingly, primarily in Lamentations and Isaiah, where it underscores the human tendency to undervalue what is sacred or significant.
Its rarity in Scripture makes each occurrence notable. By appearing in books that deal with judgment and mourning, zul highlights the spiritual danger of diminishing value. Translators often render it as "despise" or "lightly esteem," capturing the idea that true contempt begins when we stop recognizing worth. The word serves as a stark reminder that how we treat what is given to us reflects our deeper understanding of its nature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zul describes a specific kind of disregard. It begins with pouring something out freely, but ends with treating it as worthless. When we give without valuing what is given, respect fades into contempt. This progression shows how easily affection can turn to indifference when we stop recognizing true worth.
In Lamentations 1:8, this word captures the pain of Jerusalem. Those who once honored her now despise her after seeing her shame. The shift from honor to disdain reveals how fragile human regard can be. It reminds us that true value must rest in something deeper than circumstance or appearance.
We are invited to examine what we hold dear. Do we treat our relationships, gifts, and time with the reverence they deserve? Zul warns against the slow drift of taking things for granted. Instead, it calls us to see worth clearly and respond with care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- those/ [who] pour out1×
- they despise/ her1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/זָּלִ֤ים1×
- הִזִּיל֙וּ/הָ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 1:8
Jerusalem has grievously sinned. Therefore she has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness. Yes, she sighs and turns backward.
This verse uses zul to describe the sharp turn from honor to contempt as Jerusalem's shame becomes public.
-
Isaiah 46:6
Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down— yes, they worship.
Here zul illustrates how pouring out wealth can lead to treating idols with careless disregard rather than true reverence.