Lexical Summary zeeb: Wolf Original Word: זְאֵב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wolf From an unused root meaning to be yellow; a wolf -- wolf. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a wolf NASB Translation wolf (4), wolves (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. זְאֵב noun masculineIsaiah 11:6 wolf (Late Hebrew id., Arabic  (jackal according to HomNS 303 ff.; but see RSZMG 1880, 373 and DoughtyArab. Deseria i. 327; ii. 144, 145) Aramaic דֵּיבָה,  Assyrian zîbu DlS 47; Ethiopic  hyena Di1056 (on formation compare LagBN 58); Phoenician in compound proper name זיבקם) — זְאֵב absolute Genesis 49:27 2t.; construct Jeremiah 5:6; plural זְאֵבִים Ezekiel 22:27; construct זְאֵבֵי Habakkuk 1:8; Zephaniah 3:3; — wolf, never in narrative; in predictions of peace in Messian. age וְגָר זְאֵב עִם כֶּבֶשׂ Isaiah 11:6 זְאֵב וְטָלֶה יִרְעוּ כְּאֶחָד Isaiah 65:25; in simile, of Benjamin's fierceness זְאֵב יִטְרָ֑ף ׳ב Genesis 49:27; of fierce horses of Chaldeans חַדּוּ מִזְּאֵבֵי עֶרֶב Habakkuk 1:8 ("" קַלּוּ מִנְּמֵרִים); of princes of Judah כִּזְאֵבִים טֹרְפֵי טָ֑רֶף Ezekiel 22:27; metaphor of enemies of Judah Jeremiah 5:6 זְאֵב עֲרָבוֺת ("" אַרְיֵה, נָמֵר); of corrupt and oppressive judges שֹׁפְטֶיהָ זְאֵבֵי עֶרֶב Zephaniah 3:3 ("" אֲרָיוֺת שֹׁאֲגִים). Topical Lexicon Natural History and Cultural Background The wolf (zeʾev) roamed the hills and wilderness of the ancient Near East in packs, hunting chiefly at night. Its stealth, speed, and ravenous appetite made it a ready symbol of both relentless predation and unbridled strength. Shepherds feared it for the havoc it could wreak among flocks; city dwellers invoked it to depict rapacious rulers. Because the Israelite economy relied heavily on sheep and goats, the wolf naturally became a metaphor for danger, injustice, and, in prophetic vision, the reversal of such peril under Messiah’s reign. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Genesis 49:27 – Tribal Character “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.” Here Jacob prophesies that Benjamin’s descendants will possess decisive martial prowess, illustrated later in Ehud (Judges 3), the Benjamite archers and slingers (1 Chronicles 12:2), and Saul’s early victories (1 Samuel 14). The image commends courage in battle yet also warns against unchecked aggression. 2. Isaiah 11:6; 65:25 – Messianic Peace “The wolf will dwell with the lamb… and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). “The wolf and the lamb will feed together” (Isaiah 65:25). In both passages the wolf, archetype of predation, is pacified. The prophecy anticipates a literal, future kingdom in which the curse on creation is lifted and the Prince of Peace harmonizes former enemies, underscoring the comprehensive scope of redemption. 3. Jeremiah 5:6 – Indictment of Apostate Judah “Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down; a wolf of the deserts will ravage them.” The wolf figures in a triad of beasts sent as instruments of divine judgment because the people “have rebelled against Me” (verse 7). The text exposes societal sin and highlights God’s prerogative to employ natural and national forces for chastisement. 4. Ezekiel 22:27 – Corrupt Princes “Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood and destroying lives to make dishonest gain.” The term underscores the exploitation pervading Jerusalem’s leadership shortly before the Babylonian siege. Human rulers who should protect the flock instead act like predators, prefiguring Jesus’ warning about “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” 5. Habakkuk 1:8 – Babylon’s Swiftness “Their horses are swifter than leopards, keener than wolves at dusk.” The verse accentuates the speed and ferocity of Babylon’s cavalry. Wolves are especially ravenous at nightfall after a day’s hunger, fitting Babylon’s relentless advance. 6. Zephaniah 3:3 – Judicial Violence “Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.” As in Ezekiel, civic leaders devour the populace. The prophetic critique reveals that injustice is not merely social failure but theological rebellion requiring repentance. Theological and Prophetic Significance The wolf functions in Scripture as a barometer of the moral state of humanity and the expected restoration of creation. In pre-exilic texts it portrays the unchecked sin of rulers and nations. In exilic and post-exilic hope, its transformation under Messiah spotlights God’s plan to reverse the effects of the Fall. Thus the animal both warns and comforts: it warns of judgment when covenant obligations are violated, and it comforts by illustrating the total renewal awaiting the faithful. Connections to Wider Biblical Theology New Testament writers extend the metaphor. Jesus commissions His disciples as “sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16) and cautions against “false prophets… ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15), echoing the prophetic linkage between predatory leadership and spiritual danger. Paul’s charge to the Ephesian elders—“savage wolves will come in among you” (Acts 20:29)—reinforces vigilance against doctrinal corruption. These echoes assume the validity of the Old Testament imagery and integrate it into church oversight, highlighting the unity of Scripture. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Discernment: Just as shepherds kept watch for wolves, church leaders must guard doctrine and protect the flock from spiritual predators. The recurring image of the wolf therefore calls the people of God to steadfast vigilance, righteous leadership, and confident anticipation of the coming age when even the fiercest of creatures will be reconciled under the reign of the Lamb who was slain. Forms and Transliterations זְאֵ֣ב זְאֵ֣בֵי זְאֵ֤ב זְאֵ֨ב זְאֵב֙ זאב זאבי כִּזְאֵבִ֖ים כזאבים מִזְּאֵ֣בֵי מזאבי kiz’êḇîm kiz·’ê·ḇîm kizeVim miz·zə·’ê·ḇê mizzə’êḇê mizzeEvei zə’êḇ zə’êḇê zə·’ê·ḇê zə·’êḇ zeEv zeEveiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 49:27 HEB: בִּנְיָמִין֙ זְאֵ֣ב יִטְרָ֔ף בַּבֹּ֖קֶר NAS: is a ravenous wolf; In the morning KJV: shall ravin [as] a wolf: in the morning INT: Benjamin wolf ravenous the morning Isaiah 11:6 Isaiah 65:25 Jeremiah 5:6 Ezekiel 22:27 Habakkuk 1:8 Zephaniah 3:3 7 Occurrences |
    |