(Aramaic) corresponding to זוּן; {perhaps properly, to be plump, i.e. (transitively) to nourish}; feed.
Transliteration:zûwn
Pronunciation:zoon
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb זוּן (transliterated as *zûwn*, `{{H2110}}`) carries the fundamental meaning of "to feed" or "to nourish." Its base definition suggests an original sense of "to be plump," which then extended transitively to the act of providing sustenance that leads to such a state of fullness or health. This implies more than mere consumption; it speaks to the provision of life-sustaining nourishment. As an Aramaic term, its usage is confined to the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, primarily in the book of Daniel. It corresponds semantically to Hebrew roots that convey the idea of sustenance and provision.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb זוּן (`{{H2110}}`) appears in the Aramaic sections of Daniel, specifically in two significant passages. Both instances are found in the passive voice, emphasizing the reception of nourishment rather than the act of providing it.
1. **[[Daniel 4:12]]**: This verse describes the magnificent tree in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which symbolized his vast kingdom. The text states, "and from it all flesh was fed" (וּמִן־כֹּל֙ יִתְזַן֙ חַיְוָה֙ דְּבָרָא֙). Here, the tree, representing the king's dominion, is portrayed as the source of sustenance for all living creatures. The passive יִתְזַן ("was fed") highlights the universal dependence on this kingdom for provision, underscoring the king's perceived role as a provider, albeit one ultimately established by God.
2. **[[Daniel 5:21]]**: In this account of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling, the text recounts, "and all living things were fed from him" (וְכָל־חֵי֙ יִתְזַן֙ מִנֵּהּ֙), referring to the king's degenerate state where he was forced to eat grass like oxen. This verse powerfully contrasts his former glory as a provider with his abased condition, where he himself became like an animal dependent on basic, natural provision. The passive יִתְזַן here emphasizes his utter dependence and the reversal of his status from provider to one who is merely "fed."
In both contexts, the word זוּן underscores the theme of provision and dependence, setting the stage for theological reflections on ultimate sovereignty and sustenance.
### Related Words & Concepts
While זוּן (`{{H2110}}`) is an Aramaic term, its semantic range aligns with several key Hebrew concepts related to sustenance and provision. It is conceptually linked to:
* **Food and Provision**: General terms for food, such as `{{H3899}}` (lechem, "bread" or "food"), and verbs for providing, like `{{H7462}}` (ra'ah, "to shepherd," often implying provision) or `{{H5493}}` (sûkh, "to provide").
* **Life and Sustenance**: The very act of feeding is intrinsically linked to the preservation of life. Concepts like `{{H2416}}` (chayyim, "life") are deeply intertwined with the idea of being fed.
* **Divine Provision**: The broader biblical theme of God as the ultimate provider, seen in manna in the wilderness or the daily provision of creation, resonates with the meaning of זוּן. This connects to words like `{{H3068}}` (Yahweh Yireh, "The LORD Will Provide").
* **Dependence**: The passive usage of זוּן (`{{H2110}}`) in Daniel highlights the state of being dependent on a source for nourishment, a concept central to humanity's relationship with God.
### Theological Significance
The limited but potent occurrences of זוּן (`{{H2110}}`) in Daniel carry significant theological weight, particularly concerning divine sovereignty and human dependence.
1. **God as Ultimate Provider**: In [[Daniel 4:12]], while the tree (Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom) is the immediate source of feeding, the narrative implicitly points to God as the one who established and sustained that kingdom. The king's pride led him to forget that his ability to "feed" others was a gift from the Most High. This sets up the theological truth that all provision, whether through natural means, human institutions, or direct intervention, ultimately originates from God.
2. **Humility and Dependence**: [[Daniel 5:21]] starkly illustrates the consequences of pride and the necessity of acknowledging divine sovereignty. Nebuchadnezzar, who once saw himself as the source of provision, is reduced to being "fed" like an animal. This demonstrates that even the most powerful human beings are utterly dependent on basic sustenance, which God alone provides. It serves as a powerful reminder that all life, dignity, and power are contingent upon God's gracious provision. The word זוּן thus becomes a vehicle for teaching humility and the profound truth of human reliance on the Creator.
3. **Judgment and Restoration**: The withdrawal and restoration of Nebuchadnezzar's ability to "feed" (symbolically, to rule and provide) underscore God's power to judge the proud and restore the humble. The act of being "fed" by God, even in a humiliating way, is part of a process leading to the king's eventual acknowledgment of God's supreme rule.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb זוּן (`{{H2110}}`) signifies "to feed" or "to nourish," with an underlying sense of providing sustenance that leads to fullness. Its rare but impactful appearances in the book of Daniel, specifically in [[Daniel 4:12]] and [[Daniel 5:21]], consistently employ the passive voice, emphasizing the state of being fed. The contextual analysis reveals its profound theological implications: it highlights God as the ultimate source of all provision, underscores the radical dependence of all creatures—including powerful rulers—on divine sustenance, and serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty in humbling the proud and elevating the humble. The word זוּן thus functions as a subtle yet potent reminder of the Creator-creature distinction and the constant need for divine grace in sustaining life.