What does זַעֲוָה (zaʿăwāh) mean in the Bible?
זַעֲוָה (zaʿăwāh): Physical trembling or agitation that manifests as social disturbance, oppression, or maltreatment of others
Hebrew · H2189
זַעֲוָה
זַעֲוָה (zaʿăwāh): Physical trembling or agitation that manifests as social disturbance, oppression, or maltreatment of others
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.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
זַעֲוָהH2189
Pronunciationzaʿăwāh
What does זַעֲוָה (zaʿăwāh) mean in the Bible?
Full entry for זַעֲוָה (H2189) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2189?
The BSB source-word alignment has 2 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include an object of horror (1), to terror (1).
Where does זַעֲוָה (zaʿăwāh) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Deuteronomy 28:25. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (1), Ezekiel (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itan object of horror1×Deuteronomy 28:25
to terror1×Ezekiel 23:46
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowDeuteronomy 28:25
Aligned rows2
Books represented2
Deuteronomy1Ezekiel1
Source forms
לְזַעֲוָ֔ה1xlə·za·‘ă·wāhDeuteronomy 28:25
לְזַעֲוָ֥ה1xlə·za·‘ă·wāhEzekiel 23:46
Parsing patterns
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular2xDeuteronomy 28:25, Ezekiel 23:46
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Physical trembling or agitation that manifests as social disturbance, oppression, or maltreatment of others
Source Gloss
agitation , maltreatment
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Physical trembling or agitation that manifests as social disturbance, oppression, or maltreatment of others
agitation, maltreatment BDB: a trembling Usage: × removed, trouble.
Word Origins
זַעֲוָה is built from this root: