Lexical Summary zevaah: Sacrifice Original Word: זְוָעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be removed, trouble, vexation From zuwa'; agitation, fear -- be removed, trouble, vexation. Compare za'avah. see HEBREW zuwa' see HEBREW za'avah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zua Definition a trembling, an object of trembling or terror NASB Translation object of horror (1), object of terror (1), terror (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs זְוָעָה and, by transposition, זַעֲוָה (Di Deuteronomy 28:25 compare Sta§ 192 a) noun feminine a trembling, i.e. object of trembling, terror: זְוָעָה Isaiah 28:19, also Kt Jeremiah 15:4 4t.; זַעֲוָה Deuteronomy 28:25; Ezekiel 23:46 (also Qr Jeremiah 15:4 4t.); — object of trembling, terror, fright; זְהָיִיתָ לְזַעֲוָה Deuteronomy 28:25 and thou shalt become a terror to all (לְכֹל) the kingdoms of the earth; ׳וגו ׳וּנְתַתִּים לְז) Jeremiah 15:4; Jeremiah 29:18; Jeremiah 34:17 ("" וְלִשְׁרֵקָה וּלְחֶרְמָּה לְאָלָה וּלְשַׁמָּה) also ׳וגו ׳וּנְתַתִּים לְז Jeremiah 24:9 ("" וּלְמָשָׁל לִשְׁנִינָה וְלִקְלָלָה לְחֶרְמָּה), Ezekiel 23:46; 2Chronicles 29:8 . Topical Lexicon Overview זְוָעָה signals an overwhelming dread that falls upon individuals or nations when they stand under the manifested displeasure of the LORD. Each occurrence shows the term as a public, observable consequence of covenant violation, turning the offender into a warning sign for others. Scriptural Usage • 2 Chronicles 29:8 records Hezekiah’s assessment of Judah’s ruin: “Therefore, the wrath of the LORD has come upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has made them an object of horror, astonishment, and scorn, as you can see with your own eyes.” Covenant Curses and Corporate Consequences Deuteronomy 28 anticipates exile, reproach, and trembling for covenant breakers. Each use of זְוָעָה in Chronicles, Isaiah, and Jeremiah confirms that prophetic threat. The word marks the moment when hidden sin becomes visible disgrace: idolatry (2 Chronicles 29), pride and false security (Isaiah 28), and broken oaths (Jeremiah 34). God’s people, intended to display His glory, become a fearful spectacle when they mirror the nations’ rebellion. Prophetic Function 1. Verification—The horror validates the prophets’ message. When Isaiah speaks of “sheer terror to understand the message,” the calamity itself authenticates the oracle. Relationship to the Fear of the LORD Whereas the fear of the LORD produces wisdom and worship (Proverbs 9:10), זְוָעָה is the fear experienced when that reverent awe has been traded for disobedience. It is the inverse of covenant blessing—a fear that scatters rather than gathers, that isolates rather than secures. Typological and Christological Implications The term anticipates the climactic horror of divine judgment poured out at the cross. “We esteemed Him stricken” (Isaiah 53:4); the onlookers recoiled at the spectacle of sin judged in the sinless Substitute. Yet in the resurrection, dread gives way to salvation, showing that horror is not God’s final word for His repentant people. Eschatological Echoes New Testament passages such as Luke 21:26—“people will faint from fear”—echo זְוָעָה as they describe global distress preceding Christ’s return. Revelation 18 portrays once-proud Babylon as “a horror,” underscoring that ultimate covenant judgment still awaits an unrepentant world. Contemporary Ministry Applications • Preaching—Proclaim both the certainty of judgment and the hope of redemption, using historical examples of זְוָעָה to stir sober self-examination. Summary זְוָעָה embodies the terror of divine displeasure. It is not arbitrary but covenantal, not merely emotional but historical, turning wayward people into living signposts that the LORD reigns. The gospel answers this dread—not by denying it, but by absorbing it in Christ and promising final deliverance to those who call on His name. Forms and Transliterations זְוָעָ֖ה זועה לְזַֽעֲוָ֔ה לְזַֽעֲוָה֙ לְזַעֲוָ֔ה לְזַעֲוָ֜ה לְזַעֲוָ֣ה לזעוה lə·za·‘ă·wāh ləza‘ăwāh lezaaVah zə·wā·‘āh zevaAh zəwā‘āhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 29:8 HEB: [לִזְוָעָה כ] (לְזַֽעֲוָה֙ ק) לְשַׁמָּ֣ה NAS: and He has made them an object of terror, of horror, INT: and Jerusalem has made be removed of horror hissing Isaiah 28:19 Jeremiah 15:4 Jeremiah 24:9 Jeremiah 29:18 Jeremiah 34:17 6 Occurrences |
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