English · KJV
H2102

זוּד

zûwd /zood/ Ask about this word
Rootor (by permutation) זִיד · a primitive root
Meaningto seethe; figuratively, to be insolent
KJV usagebe proud, deal proudly, presume, (come) presumptuously, sod.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zûwd — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word zûwd, represented by H2102, is a primitive root with a dual meaning. Its literal sense is "to seethe," while figuratively it means to be insolent, proud, or to act presumptuously. This term appears 10 times across 10 unique verses, often describing an attitude of arrogant defiance against divine authority.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H2102 primarily denotes insolent pride or willful presumption. This is seen when Israel's ancestors "dealt proudly" and refused to heed God's commandments Nehemiah 9:16. Similarly, God's judgment comes upon Babylon because "she hath been proud against the LORD" Jeremiah 50:29. The term also describes actions taken with arrogant rebellion, such as when the Israelites "went presumptuously up into the hill" against God's direct order Deuteronomy 1:43. The consequence for such presumption is severe; a prophet who presumes to speak a word not commanded by God is to die Deuteronomy 18:20. The word's literal meaning is found in the account of Jacob, who "sod pottage" Genesis 25:29.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature and consequences of the pride conveyed by H2102:

  • H4784 mârâh (to rebel): This word is explicitly linked to presumption. After being told not to go up the hill, the Israelites "rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously" Deuteronomy 1:43, showing that presumption is an act of open rebellion.
  • H7185 qâshâh (to be hard, stiffen): This term describes the inner condition that leads to proud behavior. In their disobedience, the fathers "dealt proudly, and hardened their necks" Nehemiah 9:16, indicating a stubborn refusal to submit.
  • H4191 mûwth (to die): This word highlights the ultimate penalty for presumption. A prophet who presumes to speak for God shall "die" Deuteronomy 18:20, and a person who comes "presumptuously" to slay another must be taken from the altar so that he may "die" Exodus 21:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2102 is centered on the gravity of human arrogance in the face of divine law and authority.

  • Defiance of Divine Command: To act proudly or presumptuously is to directly challenge God's sovereignty. It is characterized by not hearkening to commandments Nehemiah 9:29 and is the reason for God's judgment against nations like Babylon Jeremiah 50:29 and the Egyptians Exodus 18:11.
  • Presumption as a Capital Crime: The Law treats presumption with utmost seriousness. Whether it is a prophet speaking without a divine word Deuteronomy 18:20 or a murderer acting with premeditation Exodus 21:14, the act of presumption warrants death, showing it to be a violation of sacred order.
  • The Rebellious Heart: The word is connected to a hardened neck and a rebellious spirit (Deuteronomy 1:43, Nehemiah 9:16). The purpose of hearing and fearing God's law is so that the people will "do no more presumptuously" Deuteronomy 17:13, making it a central theme in the call to obedience.

Summary

In summary, H2102 moves from a literal meaning of "to seethe" to a powerful figurative description of pride that boils over into arrogant and rebellious action. It defines a disposition of insolence that rejects God's authority, hardens the heart against His commands, and results in severe judgment. The term serves as a stark biblical warning against the sin of presumption in all its forms.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 10 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • הֵזִידוּ
  • יָזִד
  • תָּזִדוּ
  • יָּזֶד
  • יְזִידוּ
  • זָדוּ
  • זָדָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4784 מָרָה a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to H7185 קָשָׁה a primitive root; properly, to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in various applications); be cruel, be fiercer, make grie H4191 מוּת a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (b

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 10 verses across 5 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Deuteronomy and Nehemiah (3 verses each); never once in the other 34.

1
Genesis
2
Exodus
3
Deuteronomy
3
Nehemiah
1
Jeremiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.