זוּעַ (zu.a)
zu.a
to tremble
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb zua describes a physical trembling or quaking, often driven by fear or terror. In its basic form, it captures the involuntary shaking that accompanies intense emotion or threat. This sense of visceral reaction appears in contexts where stability is threatened, such as when the psalmist reflects on the chaos surrounding the righteous or when prophets describe the earth’s response to divine judgment.
A more intensive form of the word, known as the piel stem, shifts the meaning toward causing others to tremble or shaking something violently. This usage highlights power rather than vulnerability, suggesting that a strong force or authority can induce this physical reaction in others. For instance, in Habakkuk, the language conveys the awe-inspiring power of God’s presence, while in Esther, it may reflect the political instability or fear gripping the court.
The rarity of zua in Scripture—appearing only three times—makes its occurrences stand out. Each instance carries weight, whether describing personal terror or divine majesty. Its limited use underscores how specific and potent this imagery is within biblical literature, leaving readers with a vivid picture of human frailty or God’s overwhelming presence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word zua captures a visceral reaction to overwhelming circumstances. It describes the physical trembling that happens when stability is lost, whether from fear or awe. This imagery reminds us that our bodies often react before our minds can process what is happening. In Ecclesiastes 12:3, this shaking reflects the fragility of human strength as we age.
Yet this word also points to a deeper reality about God’s presence. It is not just about fear; it is about recognizing power greater than ourselves. When we face situations that make us feel unstable, we are reminded of our dependence on something solid. This physical response can lead us to look beyond our own strength.
Understanding this term helps us see how Scripture uses the body to describe spiritual truths. It invites us to acknowledge our limits while trusting in a foundation that does not shake. We find peace not by eliminating fear, but by placing our trust in the One who holds all things together.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- when/ they will tremble1×
- he trembled1×
- [those who will] make tremble/ you1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֶׁ/יָּזֻ֙עוּ֙1×
- מְזַעְזְעֶ֑י/ךָ1×
- זָ֣ע1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 12:3
in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened,
This verse uses the word to describe the physical decline of the body in old age, specifically the trembling of those who maintain it.
-
Habakkuk 2:7
Won’t your debtors rise up suddenly, and wake up those who make you tremble, and you will be their victim?
Here the term appears in a rhetorical question about enemies rising up to shake the proud, highlighting how power dynamics can shift suddenly.
-
Esther 5:9
Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.
Although the translation varies, this context involves Haman’s emotional turmoil and wrath when his plans are thwarted by Mordecai's refusal to move.