What does ζῆλος · πικρός mean in the Bible?
ζῆλος · πικρός is a Greek phrase meaning "bitter jealousy or envy".
Greek · G2205, G4089
ζῆλον πικρόν
Zeal · bitter
Reading a lexicon entry
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
ζῆλοςG2205zeal
Pronunciationzēlos
Passionate intensity directed at a cause, ranging from noble devotion to destructive jealousy.
Open lexicon entry →πικρόςG4089bitter
Pronunciationpikrós
Bitter taste or harsh behavior; metaphorically describes bitterness of spirit poisoning speech and community.
Open lexicon entry →What does ζῆλον πικρόν (zēlon pikron) mean in the Bible?
ζῆλος · πικρός is a Greek phrase meaning "bitter jealousy or envy".
Full entry for ζῆλον πικρόν (G2205, G4089) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G2205, G4089?
G2205, G4089 is connected to 16 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. bitter jealousy or envy
Source Gloss
bitter jealousy or envy
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 6 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns6Aligned forms16Case patternNominative (7)Number patternSingular (16)
Nominative · Singular · MasculineJohn 2:17 · 1 Cor 3:3 · 2 Cor 12:20 · Gal 5:20 · Heb 10:27 · Jas 3:166×
Nominative · Singular · Neuter2 Cor 9:21×
Genitive · Singular · MasculineActs 5:17 · Acts 13:452×
Dative · Singular · MasculineRom 13:13 · 2 Cor 11:22×
Accusative · Singular · MasculineRom 10:2 · 2 Cor 7:7 · 2 Cor 7:11 · Jas 3:144×
Accusative · Singular · NeuterPhil 3:61×
Word Origins
ζῆλον πικρόν is built from this root: