Greek · G2206

ζηλόω

To have warmth of feeling for or against

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ζηλόω G2206

Pronunciation zēlóō

What does ζηλόω (zēlóō) mean in the Bible?

Ζηλόω can mean to be zealous, eagerly desire, be jealous, or seek someone ardently. Paul shows that zeal is morally shaped by its object and method.

Reader summary

Full entry for ζηλόω (G2206) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does ζηλόω (zēlóō) mean in the Bible?

Ζηλόω can mean to be zealous, eagerly desire, be jealous, or seek someone ardently. Paul shows that zeal is morally shaped by its object and method.

How does the BSB render G2206?

The BSB source-word alignment has 12 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include eagerly desire (2), [Those people] are zealous for you (1), be eager (1), be earnest (1), became jealous (1).

Where does ζηλόω (zēlóō) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Acts 7:9. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Corinthians (4), Galatians (3), Acts (2), 2 Corinthians (1).

What This Word Actually Means

Ζηλόω can mean to be zealous, eagerly desire, be jealous, or seek someone ardently. Paul shows that zeal is morally shaped by its object and method. Galatians 4 exposes teachers who zealously court believers in order to exclude and control them, hoping to make the church zealous for their approval. First Corinthians 12 commands earnest desire for greater gifts but immediately leads into the more excellent way of love.

In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul speaks of godly jealousy because he has pledged the church to Christ and fears their deception. The verb therefore neither condemns nor blesses intensity by itself. Holy zeal seeks Christ's honor and the church's good; manipulative zeal isolates people and builds dependence on human leaders.