זָרָא (za.ra)
za.ra
loathsome
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun zarâ describes something that provokes intense disgust or nausea, often translated as a "loathsome thing." It carries a visceral weight, suggesting an immediate physical revulsion rather than mere dislike. In the biblical text, it is used to characterize objects or behaviors that are morally repugnant and spiritually defiling.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 11:20. There, God warns the Israelites through Moses that their persistent complaining and rejection of His provision will result in a period of suffering so severe it will feel like eating this very thing until it becomes nauseating. The term underscores the seriousness of rejecting divine sustenance.
Its rarity highlights its specific function as a marker of extreme abhorrence. Translators typically render it as "loathsome" or "abomination," capturing the sense of something that turns the stomach. The word serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and ingratitude, illustrating how repeated rejection of God can lead to a state of profound inner sickness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word zarâ describes a deep, physical revulsion that goes beyond simple dislike. It captures the feeling of nausea when something becomes so overwhelming that it turns your stomach. In Numbers 11:20, this term warns against rejecting God’s provision. The people’s constant complaining turned what was once manna into a source of disgust.
This imagery reminds us that spiritual ingratitude can sour our hearts. When we focus on what we lack instead of trusting God’s care, even good gifts can feel burdensome. It is a call to examine our attitudes and return to gratitude for His daily sustenance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <into>/ a loathsome thing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/זָרָ֑א1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 11:20
but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’”
This verse uses zarâ to describe how persistent rejection of God turns His provision into a source of physical nausea.