### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **zûw**, represented by `{{H2098}}`, functions as a demonstrative or relative pronoun, meaning **this or that**; **that, this, [idiom] wherein, which, whom**. It appears **15 times** across **15 unique verses** in the Bible. Its primary role is to point to or specify a particular person, object, or concept within a sentence, providing clarity and emphasis.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In scripture, `{{H2098}}` is used to connect God's actions and character to specific subjects. It identifies the people God has chosen and formed for His purposes, as in the declaration, "**This** people have I formed for myself" [[Isaiah 43:21]]. The term is also frequently used in the context of divine guidance, pointing to the specific path God directs for the faithful, such as "the way **wherein** I should walk" [[Psalms 143:8]]. Furthermore, it is used to identify the source of opposition or danger, specifying the wicked who oppress [[Psalms 17:9]] or the snares they have hidden [[Psalms 31:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the concepts that `{{H2098}}` points to:
* `{{H1870}}` **derek** (a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action): This word for 'way' or 'path' is often the object that `{{H2098}}` specifies. In prayers for guidance, `zûw` clarifies *which* path is the subject of the request [[Psalms 143:8]].
* `{{H5971}}` **ʻam** (a people (as a congregated unit)): `{{H2098}}` is used to single out the people of God, emphasizing their unique relationship to Him as the ones He has redeemed or created [[Exodus 15:13]].
* `{{H7563}}` **râshâʻ** (morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person): In contrast, `{{H2098}}` also serves to identify the wicked and their actions, pointing to "the wicked **that** oppress me" [[Psalms 17:9]] and separating their ways from the path of the righteous.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2098}}` is seen in its function as a specific pointer:
* **Divine Guidance:** The use of `{{H2098}}` underscores the belief in a specific, knowable will of God. It points to "the way **which** thou shalt go," transforming a general path into a divinely instructed course of action [[Psalms 32:8]].
* **Sovereign Election and Redemption:** By identifying "**this** people" [[Isaiah 43:21]] or the people "**which** thou hast redeemed" [[Exodus 15:13]], the pronoun highlights God's specific choice and redemptive work for Israel, setting them apart as His possession.
* **Moral and Spiritual Distinctions:** The word functions to draw sharp contrasts. It identifies the generation from which God will preserve His own [[Psalms 12:7]], the wicked devices "**that** they have imagined" [[Psalms 10:2]], and the power a person wrongly imputes to their god [[Habakkuk 1:11]], clarifying the lines between righteousness and ungodliness.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2098}}` is a simple grammatical tool that plays a vital role in biblical expression. It is the pointer that directs the reader's attention to the specific object of God's guidance, redemption, or judgment. By specifying "**this** generation," "**which** way," or "**that** which thou hast wrought," `zûw` adds a layer of precision, ensuring that the subjects of God's promises and warnings are clearly understood and demonstrating how even minor words are essential in defining the relationship between God and His people.
TRV