a primitive root; to flow freely (as water), i.e. (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow; flow, gush out, have a (running) issue, pine away, run.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **zûwb**, represented by `{{H2100}}`, is a primitive root meaning to flow freely. It appears **42 times** across **41 unique verses**. Its definition includes concepts like having a sexual flux, wasting away, or overflowing. The word captures a range of meanings from the gushing of water and the abundance of a promised land to the ceremonial uncleanness of bodily discharges.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its most frequent biblical context, `{{H2100}}` describes the immense fertility of the Promised Land. God repeatedly promises to bring Israel to "a land flowing with milk and honey" ([[Exodus 3:8]], [[Numbers 14:8]], [[Deuteronomy 6:3]]). This phrase becomes a cornerstone of God's covenant promise, symbolizing divine blessing and provision. The word is also used literally for water that "gushed out" from a rock in the desert ([[Isaiah 48:21]], [[Psalms 105:41]]). In sharp contrast, `{{H2100}}` is used extensively in Leviticus to denote a "running issue" from the body, a condition which rendered a person ceremonially unclean ([[Leviticus 15:2]], [[Leviticus 22:4]]). Figuratively, it can mean to "pine away," describing the wasting effect of severe hunger [[Lamentations 4:9]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the different applications of flowing and discharging:
* `{{H2101}}` **zôwb** (a seminal or menstrual flux; issue): This is the noun form directly derived from the verb. It is often used in the same verse to name the "issue" that "floweth" [[Leviticus 15:2]].
* `{{H2461}}` **châlâb** (milk): This word is consistently paired with `{{H2100}}` in the phrase describing the promised land's abundance, representing richness and sustenance [[Exodus 33:3]].
* `{{H1706}}` **dᵉbash** (honey): The other key element of the promised land's description, signifying natural sweetness and blessing [[Numbers 13:27]].
* `{{H5140}}` **nâzal** (to drip, or shed by trickling; flow): This word is used alongside `{{H2100}}` to describe God providing water in the desert, where waters were caused to "flow" and "gushed out" from the rock [[Isaiah 48:21]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2100}}` is demonstrated in its contrasting meanings:
* **Covenant Blessing:** The phrase "a land that floweth with milk and honey" is a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to the patriarchs [[Deuteronomy 26:15]]. It represents a state of ideal blessing, peace, and abundance under God's provision.
* **Ritual Holiness:** The use of `{{H2100}}` for bodily discharges establishes critical principles of holiness and purity in the Law. An uncontrolled "flow" separated an individual from the community and the sanctuary, highlighting the need for wholeness and control to approach a holy God [[Leviticus 15:32-33]].
* **Divine Judgment:** The term can carry the weight of a curse. In [[2 Samuel 3:29]], it is part of a curse that one from Joab's house would always be afflicted with an "issue." It is also used to describe those who "pine away" from hunger as a consequence of judgment [[Lamentations 4:9]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2100}}` is a dynamic word that illustrates a profound duality in scripture. On one hand, it is the verb that describes the overflowing, life-giving abundance of God's promises, such as water from a rock or the fertility of the Promised Land. On the other hand, it signifies a loss of control, uncleanness, curse, and decay, as seen in its application to bodily issues and wasting away. The word powerfully captures both the ideal of divine blessing and the reality of physical and spiritual decay.
TRV