### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **zûwaʻ**, represented by `{{H2111}}`, is a primitive root used to signify agitation, fear, movement, or vexation. Its base definition is to shake off, move, tremble, or vex. Though it appears only **3 times** across **3 unique verses**, its applications are distinct, describing responses to threats, authority, and the natural process of aging.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H2111}}` captures a range of human experience. In the context of divine judgment, the prophet Habakkuk asks if enemies will rise up to **vex** the wicked, pointing to an agitation caused by attack [[Habakkuk 2:7]]. In the book of Esther, the word conveys a deliberate lack of movement as an act of defiance; Mordecai’s refusal to stand or **move** for Haman demonstrates disrespect that fills Haman with indignation [[Esther 5:9]]. Finally, Ecclesiastes uses the term to poetically describe the physical frailty of old age, when the "keepers of the house shall **tremble**" [[Ecclesiastes 12:3]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words are used in conjunction with `{{H2111}}`, clarifying its meaning in context:
* `{{H5391}}` **nâshak** (to bite): This word appears in parallel with **zûwaʻ** in a prophecy of judgment, where aggressors will suddenly **bite** and **vex** their target [[Habakkuk 2:7]].
* `{{H6965}}` **qûwm** (to rise): In Esther, Mordecai's defiance is shown by his refusal to **rise** up or **move**, linking the two actions as expected signs of reverence [[Esther 5:9]].
* `{{H2534}}` **chêmâh** (indignation): This is the direct emotional result of Mordecai’s stillness. His refusal to move for Haman causes Haman to be filled with **indignation** [[Esther 5:9]].
* `{{H5791}}` **ʻâvath** (to bow self): In the description of aging, the trembling of the house's keepers is mentioned alongside how the strong men shall **bow** themselves, creating a composite image of physical decline [[Ecclesiastes 12:3]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H2111}}` is found in its portrayal of both voluntary and involuntary responses to power and decay.
* **Agitation from Judgment:** The word is used to describe the terror inflicted upon a person or nation facing divine retribution, where being "vexed" is a component of their downfall [[Habakkuk 2:7]].
* **The Posture of Defiance:** By not moving, Mordecai makes a powerful statement. His stillness is not weakness but a conscious refusal to honor a wicked authority, showing that physical deference can be withheld as an act of integrity [[Esther 5:9]].
* **The Inevitability of Frailty:** The term's use in Ecclesiastes serves as a metaphor for human mortality. The involuntary "tremble" of old age is presented as a universal reality, reminding the reader of the transient nature of physical strength [[Ecclesiastes 12:3]].
### Summary
In summary, **zûwaʻ** `{{H2111}}` is a multifaceted word that, despite its infrequent use, carries significant weight. It connects the physical act of shaking or moving with the internal, emotional states of fear, agitation, and defiance. From the terror of judgment to the quiet dignity of resistance and the humbling reality of aging, it demonstrates how movement—or the lack thereof—can convey deep theological and human truths.
TRV