זַ֫עַם (za.am)
za.am
indignation
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word za'am describes a deep, burning indignation that rises in response to serious wrongs. In Scripture, this is not a fleeting mood but a steady, righteous stance against injustice and rebellion. It reflects the holy seriousness of God, who sees the damage caused by sin and acts to set things right.
For believers, this concept offers comfort rather than fear. It assures us that evil does not go unnoticed and that justice will ultimately prevail. When we face unfairness or suffering, we can trust that God’s indignation is directed at the source of harm, protecting His people from lasting destruction.
This understanding invites us to rest in His sovereignty. We do not need to carry the burden of vengeance or anxiety about the future. Instead, we can look forward to a time when all wrongs are corrected and peace is fully restored.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- indignation5×
- indignation/ his3×
- indignation/ my2×
- the/ indignation1×
- in/ indignation1×
- in/ [the] indignation of1×
- from/ [the] indignation of1×
- and/ indignation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זַ֔עַם3×
- מִ/זַּ֣עַם1×
- זָֽעַם\׃1×
- זַעְמֽ/וֹ\׃\ \ס1×
- זַעְמִֽ/י\׃1×
- זַעְמִ/י֙1×
- זַעְמ֔/וֹ1×
- זַעְמ֑/וֹ1×
- זַ֖עַם1×
- וָ/זַ֣עַם1×
- הַ/זָּ֑עַם1×
- בְּ/זַֽעַם\־1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 10:5
Alas Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation!
This verse identifies Assyria as the tool of God's indignation, showing that even harsh historical events serve His purpose.
-
Isaiah 26:20
Come, my people, enter into your rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation is past.
Here the word signals a temporary period of judgment, offering hope that God’s people can find safety until it passes.
-
Zephaniah 3:8
“Therefore wait for me”, says Yahweh, “until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger, for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
This passage links God's indignation with His jealousy for His people, promising that He will gather nations to execute justice.