Lexical Summary zinneb: To attack the rear, to cut off the tail Original Word: זָנַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance curtail, smite the hindmost A primitive root meaning to wag; used only as a denominative from zanab; to curtail, i.e. Cut off the rear -- smite the hindmost. see HEBREW zanab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from zanab Definition to cut off or smite the tail NASB Translation attack them in the rear (1), attacked (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [זִנֵּב] verbdenominative Pi`el cut off, or smite, the tail, only figurative, of hostile attack in war; Perfect consecutive 2 masculine plural וְזִנַּבְתֶּם Joshua 10:19 (followed by אֹתָם); Imperfect3masculine singular וַיְזַנֵּב בְּךָ כָּלהַֿנֶּחֱשָׁלִים Deuteronomy 25:18; in both = attack or smite in the rear. Topical Lexicon Definition and Overview זָנַב (zanav) literally denotes the “tail” of an animal or of any moving column. Because the tail is the hindmost part, the term quickly assumed figurative value in Scripture, signaling that which lags, is secondary, or is exposed to attack. Scriptural Occurrences • Deuteronomy 25:18 recounts Amalek’s cowardly aggression: “He attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your tail when you were weary and worn out”. Although these are the only verses where zanav appears, related passages broaden its theological resonance. Deuteronomy 28:13, 44 contrasts “head” and “tail” to depict covenant blessing versus curse; Isaiah 9:14–15 identifies corrupt leaders as the “tail”; and Revelation 12:4 pictures the dragon’s “tail” sweeping stars from heaven. Together, these texts frame the rear position as one of vulnerability, subordination, or destructive influence. Literary and Historical Insights 1. Wilderness Warfare: In Deuteronomy 25:18 the “tail” represents the nation’s weak flank. Israel’s caravan likely stretched several miles; the infirm, elderly, and tired occupied the rear. Amalek’s surprise attack on this sector was both militarily shrewd and morally reprehensible, prompting YAHWEH’s vow of perpetual war with Amalek (Exodus 17:16). Moral and Theological Themes • Covenant Security: The contrast between head and tail in Deuteronomy 28 illuminates zanav’s metaphorical load. Obedience elevates Israel to the “head,” leading nations; disobedience relegates her to the “tail,” driven and exploited. Christological and Practical Application 1. Shepherding the Stragglers: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, leaves the ninety-nine to rescue one “lost sheep” (Luke 15:4). Ministry that mimics His heart protects those at the figurative tail—new believers, the overlooked, the weary. Relevance for Contemporary Ministry • Congregational Care: Churches should map their “rear ranks”—single parents, shut-ins, marginalized youth—and create intentional protective structures (small groups, visitation, benevolence funds). Israel’s experience at the tail teaches that the God of Scripture both defends the vulnerable and commissions His people to move from threatened stragglers to triumphant pursuers, all under the headship of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְזִנַּבְתֶּ֖ם וַיְזַנֵּ֤ב וזנבתם ויזנב vayzanNev vezinnavTem way·zan·nêḇ wayzannêḇ wə·zin·naḇ·tem wəzinnaḇtemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 25:18 HEB: קָֽרְךָ֜ בַּדֶּ֗רֶךְ וַיְזַנֵּ֤ב בְּךָ֙ כָּל־ NAS: you along the way and attacked among you all KJV: thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, [even] all [that were] feeble INT: met the way and attacked all the stragglers Joshua 10:19 2 Occurrences |
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