Lexical Summary zadon: Arrogance, pride, insolence Original Word: זָדוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance presumptuously, pride, proud man From zuwd; arrogance -- presumptuously, pride, proud (man). see HEBREW zuwd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zud Definition insolence, presumptuousness NASB Translation arrogance (3), arrogant (2), insolence (2), insolent pride (1), presumptuously (2), pride (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs זָדוֺן noun masculineProverbs 11:2 insolence, presumptuousness (on formation compare LagBN 204, Anm.), absolute ׳ז Deuteronomy 17:12 7t.; construct זְדוֺן Jeremiah 49:16; Obadiah 3; suffix זְדֹנְךָ 1 Samuel 17:28; — 1 insolence, presumption toward men; affirmed of David by Eliab 1 Samuel 17:28 ("" רֹעַ לְבָבֶ֑ךָ); usually 2 of presumptuous godlessness (compare זוּד, זֵד), exhibited in disobedience to priest or judge Deuteronomy 17:12; in false prediction Deuteronomy 18:22; in General Proverbs 11:2 (opposed to צְנוּעִים), Proverbs 13:10; ׳עֶבְרַת ז Proverbs 21:24 (compare זֵד); לִבֶּ֑ךָ ׳ז) Jeremiah 49:16 ( = Obadiah 3) presumption of thine heart; of Babylon personified under figure of ׳ז Jeremiah 50:31,32; dubious is ׳מָּרַח הַזּ Ezekiel 7:10 insolence hath blossomed (preceded by צָץ הַמַּטֶּה) i.e. either of Israel as demanding punishment, or of Babylon as instrument of punishment. Topical Lexicon Definition and Nuances זָדוֹן portrays boiling-over arrogance—presumptuous self-exaltation that resists divine authority and despises godly counsel. It is more than hidden pride; it is pride that has ripened into overt rebellion, verbalized contempt, or oppressive action. Distribution in Scripture The term appears eleven times, spanning Torah, History, Wisdom, and Prophets. This breadth shows its relevance to individual conduct, community order, and international destiny. Covenant Implications (Deuteronomy 17:12; 18:22) In Israel’s legal code, זָדוֹן is lethal. “But the man who acts presumptuously and disregards the priest…that man must be put to death” (Deuteronomy 17:12). Deliberate rejection of appointed authority equates to rejecting the LORD who installed that authority. Similarly, false prophecy spoken “presumptuously” (18:22) undermines the covenant by attributing lies to God. The Law therefore treats זָדוֹן as covenant treachery, not a mere character flaw. Historical Narrative (1 Samuel 17:28) Eliab mislabels David’s courage as זָדוֹן: “I know your pride and the insolence of your heart.” The accusation proves ironic—Eliab’s own offended honor exposes the very arrogance he imputes to David. The episode warns against judging zeal for the LORD through the lens of personal pride. Wisdom Literature (Proverbs 11:2; 13:10; 21:24) Proverbs sets זָדוֹן in antithesis to humility, wisdom, and peace. Wisdom therefore identifies boastful self-reliance as the seedbed of relational conflict and ultimate dishonor. Prophetic Denouncements of National Pride (Jeremiah 49:16; 50:31–32; Ezekiel 7:10; Obadiah 1:3) The prophets lift זָדוֹן from the personal to the geopolitical sphere. Edom’s mountain fortresses (Jeremiah 49:16; Obadiah 1:3) and Babylon’s imperial might (Jeremiah 50:31–32) become symbols of pride that “will stumble and fall.” Ezekiel 7:10 pictures judgment as a rod that blossoms precisely when “pride has budded.” Political security and military superiority cannot shield nations whose arrogance challenges the sovereignty of God. Theological Themes 1. Rebellion against Divine Order: Whether priestly verdicts, prophetic truth, or moral wisdom, God’s structures cannot be flouted without consequence. Applications for Ministry • Preaching: Use these texts to warn against doctrinal presumption—teaching or prophesying “in the name of the LORD” while contradicting Scripture. Christological and Eschatological Trajectory Jesus Christ embodies the antithesis of זָדוֹן: “being in very nature God…He humbled Himself” (Philippians 2). At His return “every proud man will be humbled” (compare Isaiah 2:11). Thus the ultimate cure for arrogance is allegiance to the humble yet exalted King, whose cross condemns human pride and whose resurrection assures that every boast “in the flesh” will vanish. Forms and Transliterations בְּ֭זָדוֹן בְּזָדוֹן֙ בְזָד֗וֹן בזדון הַזָּדֽוֹן׃ הזדון׃ זְד֣וֹן זְד֤וֹן זְדֹנְךָ֗ זָ֭דוֹן זָד֔וֹן זָדֽוֹן׃ זָדוֹן֙ זדון זדון׃ זדנך bə·zā·ḏō·wn ḇə·zā·ḏō·wn bezadOn bəzāḏōwn ḇəzāḏōwn haz·zā·ḏō·wn hazzaDon hazzāḏōwn vezaDon zā·ḏō·wn Zadon zāḏōwn zə·ḏō·nə·ḵā zə·ḏō·wn zeDon zedoneCha zəḏōnəḵā zəḏōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 17:12 HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה בְזָד֗וֹן לְבִלְתִּ֨י שְׁמֹ֤עַ NAS: acts presumptuously by not listening KJV: that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken INT: who acts presumptuously not listening Deuteronomy 18:22 1 Samuel 17:28 Proverbs 11:2 Proverbs 13:10 Proverbs 21:24 Jeremiah 49:16 Jeremiah 50:31 Jeremiah 50:32 Ezekiel 7:10 Obadiah 1:3 11 Occurrences |
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