ζύμη
Ferment (as if boiling up)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does ζύμη (zýmē) mean in the Bible?
ζύμη (zýmē) is a Greek word meaning "ferment (as if boiling up)". ζύμη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for חָמֵץ, Exo. Illustrates internal and pervasive kingdom influence. This term runs through the canonical themes of Kingdom.
Meaning
Pervasive moral influence, typically corrupting; small amount affects whole community or person.
leaven: Mat.13:33, Luk.13:21; τ. ἄρτου, Mat.16:12. Metaphorical, of a moral influence or tendency, always, exc. in the Parable of the Leaven (Mat.13:33, Luk.13:21), for evil: 1Co.5:6-8, Gal.5:9; ζ. τ. Φαρισαίων, Mat.16:6, 11, Mrk.8:16, Luk.12:1 (Cremer, 723).
Why This Word Matters
Illustrates internal and pervasive kingdom influence.
Symbol of corrupting influence.
Represents the subtle, pervasive influence of hypocrisy.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Additional Occurrences
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain