a primitive root; perhaps properly, to be plump, i.e. (transitively) to nourish; feed.
Transliteration:zûwn
Pronunciation:zoon
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root זוּן (zûwn), `{{H2109}}`, is a primitive verb primarily understood as "to nourish" or "to feed." Its base definition suggests an initial sense of "to be plump," which naturally extends to the transitive act of providing sustenance that leads to a state of being well-fed, healthy, and thriving. This implies not merely the provision of basic necessities for survival, but the bestowal of that which promotes growth, vigor, and well-being. As a primitive root, it conveys a foundational concept of sustenance and the life-giving act of feeding.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While listed as a Hebrew root, the verb זוּן (`{{H2109}}`) in its verbal form appears exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 5:21. The related noun, מָזוֹן (mazôn), meaning "food" or "sustenance," is found in Daniel 4:12.
1. **Daniel 4:12**: In the account of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great tree, it is said, "The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was food for all." Here, the noun מָזוֹן (mazôn) emphasizes the tree's abundant provision, symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar's vast kingdom which, by divine allowance, provided sustenance for many. This highlights the theme of universal provision, albeit through a human ruler who is ultimately dependent on God.
2. **Daniel 5:21**: Describing Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation and madness, the text states, "...and they fed him grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will." Here, the verb יְזוּנוּנֵּהּ (yəzûnûnnēh), a form of זוּן (`{{H2109}}`), depicts the king being "fed" like an animal. This context powerfully illustrates a radical reversal of fortune, where the one who once provided "food for all" is himself reduced to a state of being fed animalistic fare, a direct consequence of divine judgment against his pride and a testament to God's absolute sovereignty.
These occurrences, though few, are highly significant, contrasting abundant provision with humiliating deprivation, both under the sovereign hand of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary noun form derived directly from זוּן (`{{H2109}}`) is מָזוֹן (mazôn), meaning "food" or "sustenance."
Other related Hebrew words that convey concepts of food, nourishment, or provision include:
* לֶחֶם (lechem - bread, food) `{{H3899}}`
* אֹכֶל (okel - food) `{{H400}}`
* טֶרֶף (tereph - prey, food) `{{H2964}}`
* כֹּחַ (koach - strength, might), which is often sustained by food `{{H3581}}`
The concept of זוּן (`{{H2109}}`) is intrinsically linked to broader biblical themes of divine provision, the sustenance of life, and the fundamental dependence of all creation upon its Creator.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of זוּן (`{{H2109}}`) centers on God's absolute sovereignty over all life and sustenance.
1. **Divine Provision**: In Daniel 4:12, the "food for all" from the great tree subtly points to God as the ultimate source of provision, even when mediated through human authority. It underscores that all sustenance, prosperity, and the flourishing of kingdoms are ultimately gifts from the Most High God.
2. **Sovereignty in Judgment**: Daniel 5:21 provides a stark illustration of God's power to humble the proud. Nebuchadnezzar, reduced to being "fed grass like oxen," experiences a profound reversal of status. This humiliating sustenance serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment, demonstrating that God can strip away human dignity and power, reducing even the mightiest to a state of utter dependence and animalistic existence. It highlights that God not only provides but can also withhold or alter the means of sustenance as a disciplinary measure.
3. **Dependence on God**: The usage of זוּן (`{{H2109}}`) reinforces the biblical truth that all creatures, humans included, are utterly dependent on God for their continued existence and well-being. Whether in abundance or in deprivation, the source of nourishment, and thus life itself, rests in the hands of the Almighty. This fosters a posture of humility and reliance upon the divine Sustainer.
### Summary
The Hebrew root זוּן (`{{H2109}}`), meaning "to nourish" or "to feed," carries the nuance of providing complete sustenance leading to flourishing. Though primarily found in the Aramaic sections of Daniel, its occurrences are profoundly significant. It powerfully illustrates God's dual capacity as the benevolent Provider of all sustenance (Daniel 4:12) and the sovereign Judge who can humble the proud by altering the very means of their nourishment (Daniel 5:21). The word thus underscores the fundamental dependence of all creation on God, revealing His ultimate control over life, prosperity, and the consequences of human pride.
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