Berean Strong's Lexicon zelos: Zeal, jealousy, ardor, fervor Original Word: ζῆλος Word Origin: Derived from the verb ζέω (zeo), meaning "to boil" or "to be hot." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - קִנְאָה (qin'ah) - Strong's Hebrew 7068, often translated as "jealousy" or "zeal." - קָנָא (qana) - Strong's Hebrew 7065, a verb meaning "to be jealous" or "to be zealous." Usage: In the New Testament, "zelos" can have both positive and negative connotations. Positively, it refers to an intense enthusiasm or fervor for something good, such as devotion to God or a righteous cause. Negatively, it can denote jealousy or envy, where one's fervor is misdirected or self-centered. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, "zelos" was often associated with the competitive spirit and rivalry, especially in athletic and political contexts. In Jewish culture, zeal was a highly regarded trait, especially in religious contexts, where it was seen as a passionate commitment to God's law and covenant. The Zealots, a Jewish political movement, exemplified this fervor in their resistance against Roman occupation. HELPS Word-studies 2205 zḗlos (an omamopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from heat and perhaps derived from 2204 /zéō, "to boil") – properly, burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, "boiling from heat," J. Thayer); (figuratively) something very fervent ("red-hot") as with Spirit-fueled zeal to serve the Lord. This root (zē-) is used both negatively ("jealousy") and positively ("zeal") depending on the context. [The root (zē-, "zeal") literally means "hot enough to boil." It is metaphorically used of "burning anger, love, zeal" (A-S) – i.e. to burn (in spirit). It can refer to "boiling anger, love, zeal, for what is good or bad" (J. Thayer).] Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2205: ζῆλοςζῆλος, ζήλου, ὁ, and (in Philippians 3:6 L T Tr WH; (2 Corinthians 9:2 T Tr WH)) τό ζῆλος (Ignatius ad Trall. 4 [ET]; διά ζῆλος, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 4, 8 [ET] ("in Clement of Rome, §§ 3, 4, 5, 6 the masculine and neuter seem to be interchanged without any law" (Lightfoot). For facts see especially Clement of Rome, edition 2 Hilgenfeld (1876), p. 7; cf. Wit. Appendix, p. 158; Winers Grammar, § 9, N. 2; Buttmann, 23 (20)); (from ζέω (Curtius, § 567; Vanicek, p. 757)); the Sept. for קִנְאָה; excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit; 1. zeal, ardor in embracing, pursuing, defending anything: 2 Corinthians 12:11; 2 Corinthians 9:2; κατά ζῆλος, as respects zeal (in maintaining religion), Philippians 3:6; with the genitive of the object, zeal in behalf of, for a person or thing, John 2:17 from Psalm 68:10 2. an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy: Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; James 3:14, 16; ἐπλήσθησαν ζήλου, Acts 5:17; Acts 13:45; plural ζῆλοι, now the stirrings or motions of ζῆλος, now its outbursts and manifestations: 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; but in both passages L T Tr (WH, yet in Galatians, the passage cited WH only in text) have adopted ζῆλος (ζῆλοι τέ καί φθόνοι, Plato, legg. 3, p. 679 c.). (On the distinction between ζῆλος (which may be used in a good sense) and φθόνος (used only in a bad sense) cf. Trench, Synonyms, § xxvi.; Cope on Aristotle, rhet. 2, 11, From zeo; properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of God), or an enemy, malice) -- emulation, envy(-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal. see GREEK zeo Englishman's Concordance John 2:17 N-NMSGRK: ἐστίν Ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου NAS: that it was written, ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE KJV: written, The zeal of thine INT: it is The zeal of the house Acts 5:17 N-GMS Acts 13:45 N-GMS Romans 10:2 N-AMS Romans 13:13 N-DMS 1 Corinthians 3:3 N-NMS 2 Corinthians 7:7 N-AMS 2 Corinthians 7:11 N-AMS 2 Corinthians 9:2 N-NNS 2 Corinthians 11:2 N-DMS 2 Corinthians 12:20 N-NMS Galatians 5:20 N-NMS Philippians 3:6 N-ANS Hebrews 10:27 N-NNS James 3:14 N-AMS James 3:16 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2205 |
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