Lexical Summary zua: tremble, trembled Original Word: זוּעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tremble (Aramaic) corresponding to zuwa'; to shake (with fear) -- tremble. see HEBREW zuwa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to zua Definition to tremble NASB Translation tremble (1), trembled (1). Topical Lexicon Translation and Semantic Range The term conveys an intense emotional and physical response—trembling, quaking, or being seized with dread—triggered by the presence of overwhelming authority or power. It is stronger than ordinary fear, pointing to an involuntary shaking that exposes human frailty when confronted with greatness. Occurrences in Scripture Daniel 5:19 records that “all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared him,” describing the universal dread inspired by King Nebuchadnezzar’s supremacy. In Daniel 6:26, after Daniel’s deliverance from the lions, Darius proclaims: “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom men are to tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion has no end.” Historical Context 1. Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (Daniel 5). The Babylonian emperor’s conquests and monumental building projects created a political climate where subjects instinctively trembled before him. The verb highlights how God granted this temporal authority, emphasizing divine sovereignty even over pagan rulers. Theological Themes • Fear of man versus fear of God. Scripture distinguishes the coercive dread produced by earthly power (Proverbs 29:25) from the reverential awe due to God (Psalm 2:11). Both uses of the verb in Daniel draw this contrast. Implications for Ministry and Personal Application • Cultivate holy reverence. Teach believers to “serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11). Authentic worship includes a sense of awe that shakes complacency. Related Biblical Concepts • Trembling at God’s Word (Isaiah 66:2). Christological and Eschatological Connections Nebuchadnezzar’s borrowed majesty and Darius’s reluctant homage point ahead to the Messiah’s everlasting kingdom. The trembling elicited by Christ’s miracles (Mark 5:33) and anticipated at His return (Revelation 11:13) fulfill the prophetic trajectory begun in Daniel: every realm will one day shake before the King of kings. Conclusion Strong’s 2112 underscores that true trembling belongs not merely to moments of human intimidation but to encounters with the living God. From Babylon to Persia to the ends of the earth, Scripture calls all peoples to acknowledge His supremacy with awe-filled hearts and obedient lives. Forms and Transliterations זָיְעִ֥ין זָיְעִין֙ זיעין zā·yə·‘în zāyə‘în zayeInLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:19 HEB: [זָאֲעִין כ] (זָיְעִ֥ין ק) וְדָחֲלִ֖ין NAS: feared and trembled before INT: language become tremble feared Because Daniel 6:26 2 Occurrences |