2119. zachal

Lexicon

zachal: To crawl, to creep

Original Word: זָחַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: zachal
Pronunciation: zah-khal'
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-khal')
Definition: To crawl, to creep
Meaning: to crawl, to fear

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be afraid, serpent, worm

A primitive root; to crawl; by implication, to fear -- be afraid, serpent, worm.

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. [זָחַל] verb shrink back, crawl away (Aramaic זְחַל crawl (also drop, drip, of water: so Late Hebrew זָחַל), זָחֵיל worm; Syriac locust (as crawling); Arabic withdraw, retire to a distance (see Lane, Wetzst in De^{Hiob 2, 428}), and Sabean זחֿל withdraw, humble oneself DHM^{ZMG 1875, 610}) —

Qal only Participle plural construct זֹחֲלֵי Deuteronomy 32:24; Micah 7:17; — crawl, of reptiles (participle) זֹחֲלֵי עָפָר Deuteronomy 32:24 i.e. serpents (as poisonous), instruments of Yahweh's judgment on Israel; ארץ ׳ז Micah 7:17 id. (as crawling into the earth to hide), simile of nations in fear of ׳י.

II. [זָחַל] verb fear, be afraid (Aramaic דְּחַל, ; compare Arabic rancour, malevolence; Nö^{ZMG. 1886, 741}) — only

Qal Perfect1singular זָחַלְתִּי Job 32:6 therefore I feared ("" וָאִירָא); > most, who derive from I. זָחַל = shrink away in fear, hold back (RV), compare ᵑ7 אִסְתְּמִּיתִי Fl ChWB^{ii. 571}.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G2270 (ἔντρομος, entromos): This Greek term is used to describe a state of trembling or fear, often in response to a divine encounter or revelation. It captures the emotional aspect of fear that parallels the Hebrew זָחַל.
• G4951 (συμπεριφέρω, symperiphero): While not a direct equivalent, this Greek term involves the idea of being carried around or moved, which can metaphorically relate to the concept of being overwhelmed or moved by fear, similar to the Hebrew notion of crawling in fear.

In summary, זָחַל (zachal) is a multifaceted Hebrew verb that encapsulates both the physical act of crawling and the emotional experience of fear or reverence, reflecting a deep-seated biblical understanding of humility and awe in the presence of the divine.

Usage: The verb זָחַל (zachal) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the action of crawling or moving in a lowly manner, often associated with fear or trepidation. It conveys a sense of humility or submission, sometimes in the context of fear or reverence.

Context: • The Hebrew verb זָחַל (zachal) appears in contexts that emphasize a physical or metaphorical lowering of oneself. It is often used to describe creatures that move close to the ground, such as insects or reptiles, highlighting their humble or lowly position. In a metaphorical sense, זָחַל can also describe a human response to fear or awe, where one might "crawl" in the presence of something greater or more powerful.
• In the Berean Standard Bible, the usage of זָחַל is illustrated in passages where individuals or creatures exhibit a sense of fear or submission. This term captures the dual notion of physical movement and emotional response, intertwining the act of crawling with the experience of fear or reverence.
• The concept of crawling as an expression of fear or humility is consistent with the broader biblical theme of recognizing one's position before God or in the face of overwhelming circumstances. The act of crawling, whether literal or figurative, serves as a reminder of human frailty and the appropriate response to divine majesty or authority.

Forms and Transliterations

זָחַ֥לְתִּי זֹחֲלֵ֥י זחלי זחלתי כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י כזחלי kə·zō·ḥă·lê kezochaLei kəzōḥălê zā·ḥal·tî zaChalti zāḥaltî zō·ḥă·lê zochaLei zōḥălê

Englishman's Concordance

Deuteronomy 32:24
HEB: עִם־ חֲמַ֖ת זֹחֲלֵ֥י עָפָֽר׃
NAS: upon them, With the venom of crawling things of the dust.
KJV: upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
INT: With the venom of crawling of the dust

Job 32:6
HEB: עַל־ כֵּ֖ן זָחַ֥לְתִּי וָֽאִירָ֓א ׀ מֵחַוֹּ֖ת
NAS: Therefore I was shy and afraid
KJV: and ye [are] very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst
INT: and after that was shy and afraid to tell

Micah 7:17
HEB: עָפָר֙ כַּנָּחָ֔שׁ כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י אֶ֔רֶץ יִרְגְּז֖וּ
NAS: like a serpent, Like reptiles of the earth.
KJV: out of their holes like worms of the earth:
INT: the dust A serpent reptiles of the earth will come

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2119
3 Occurrences

kə·zō·ḥă·lê — 1 Occ.
zā·ḥal·tî — 1 Occ.
zō·ḥă·lê — 1 Occ.