2150. zalzal

Lexical Summary

zalzal: Twig, branch, or shoot

Original Word: זַלְזַל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: zalzal
Pronunciation: zal-ZAL
Phonetic Spelling: (zal-zal')
KJV: sprig
NASB: sprigs
Word Origin: [by reduplication from H2151 (זָלַל - To be worthless)]

1. tremulous, i.e. a twig

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

sprig

By reduplication from zalal; tremulous, i.e. A twig -- sprig.

see HEBREW zalal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from zalal
Definition
ten-drils
NASB Translation
sprigs (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[זַלְזַל] noun [masculine] (quivering) tendrils; — only plural tendrils of vine הַזַּלְזַלִּים Isaiah 18:5 ("" הַנְּטִישׁוֺת), in figure of Yahweh's destroying the Assyrians.

Topical Lexicon

Nature and Imagery

זַלְזַל denotes the tender, outward-growing sprigs or tendrils of a vine—young, promising extensions that precede the full clusters of fruit. The word evokes the fragility of new growth and the gardener’s right to shape it. As such, it becomes an apt metaphor for early potential brought under sovereign control.

Biblical Context in Isaiah 18:5

Isaiah 18 addresses Cush, yet the principle reaches far beyond that ancient kingdom. Verse 5 sets the scene: “For before the harvest, when the blossom is over and the flower becomes a ripening grape, He will cut off the sprigs with pruning knives and remove and discard the branches” (Isaiah 18:5). The cutting of the זַלְזַל anticipates judgment that intervenes at the very point of expected fruitfulness. The prophecy warns that human plans ripening outside the will of God are subject to His decisive pruning, even when they appear most promising.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Timing: The Lord acts “before the harvest,” highlighting that His timetable overrides human expectation (Psalm 31:15).
2. Sovereignty in Judgment: The sprigs are removed not for lack of vitality but by purposeful design. God discerns true fruit from mere promise, underscoring His holiness (Isaiah 5:4).
3. Mercy within Severity: Pruning prevents larger loss; righteous cutting may spare the whole vine from disease and unfruitfulness (Hebrews 12:10-11).

Connections to Vineyard Motif in Scripture

• Israel as God’s vineyard: Isaiah 5:1-7; the same gardener who tenderly plants also decisively prunes.
• Covenant obedience and fruit: Leviticus 25:3 instructs cultivation in the Sabbatical cycle, reminding that fruitfulness is covenantal, not autonomous.
• New Testament fulfillment: “Every branch in Me that bears no fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Christ applies the prophetic pruning motif to personal discipleship.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Discernment: Leaders must recognize early growth that competes with healthy fruit (Titus 1:11).
• Discipline: Loving correction, though painful, prepares believers for greater yield (Proverbs 27:6).
• Hope: Removal of certain “sprigs” may signal a coming harvest of deeper maturity rather than failure (James 1:2-4).

Christological and Eschatological Foreshadowing

The deliberate cutting in Isaiah ultimately anticipates the Messianic work: Christ Himself, “the true vine” (John 15:1), undergoes the knife of judgment so that a purified people might abide in Him. Eschatologically, final pruning separates genuine fruit from barren profession (Matthew 13:41-43; Revelation 14:18-19).

Related References for Study

Isaiah 18; Isaiah 5:1-7; Leviticus 25:3-4; Psalm 80:8-16; Song of Solomon 2:15; John 15:1-8; Romans 11:17-24; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 14:14-20.

Forms and Transliterations

הַזַּלְזַלִּים֙ הזלזלים haz·zal·zal·lîm hazzalzalLim hazzalzallîm

Englishman's Concordance

Isaiah 18:5
HEB: נִצָּ֑ה וְכָרַ֤ת הַזַּלְזַלִּים֙ בַּמַּזְמֵר֔וֹת וְאֶת־
NAS: Then He will cut off the sprigs with pruning knives
KJV: he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks,
INT: and the flower will cut the sprigs pruning the spreading

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2150
1 Occurrence

haz·zal·zal·lîm — 1 Occ.