זֵעָה (ze.ah)
ze.ah
sweat
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ze‘ah refers simply to sweat, appearing only once in the entire Old Testament at Genesis 3:19. In this context, it is part of the pronouncement given to Adam after the fall, describing the physical reality of human labor in a broken world.
This single occurrence carries significant weight by linking bodily exertion directly to the consequences of sin. The word highlights that work itself is not inherently cursed, but the friction and fatigue associated with it are now part of the human condition. It serves as a tangible reminder of mortality and the effort required to sustain life in a fallen earth.
Translators consistently render ze‘ah as "sweat" or "toil," capturing the visceral nature of the punishment. The term grounds the theological narrative in physical experience, showing that the cost of survival is measured in perspiration and hard work.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ze‘ah appears just once in Scripture, nestled in the aftermath of humanity’s first choice to turn away from God. It describes sweat — that physical sign of effort and exhaustion. This single mention grounds a profound theological truth: work is not evil, but it has become heavy. The friction we feel when laboring is part of living in a world marked by brokenness.
Yet this reality does not define our worth or our hope. Even in the fatigue of daily toil, there is dignity in sustaining life and caring for others. Your hard work matters to God, who sees your effort and provides for your needs. This verse reminds us that while the ground is cursed, God’s grace remains sufficient for every day.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- by/ [the] sweat of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/זֵעַ֤ת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:19
You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you shall return to dust.”
This occurrence links physical sweat directly to the consequence of sin, showing how labor became strenuous after the fall.