The Hebrew word zᵉvâʻâh, represented by H2113, denotes agitation, fear, trouble, or vexation. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses. The term is closely related to H2189 zaʻăvâh, and often signifies being removed or subjected to trouble as a consequence of divine judgment.
In the biblical narrative, H2113 is predominantly used in the context of divine judgment. The Lord declares through Jeremiah that the people of Judah will be made a zᵉvâʻâh ("to be removed") into all the kingdoms of the earth because of their disobedience Jeremiah 34:17. This removal is consistently linked with other calamities such as the sword H2719, famine H7458, and pestilence H1698, and results in them becoming a reproach H2781 and a curse H423 among the nations (Jeremiah 29:18, Jeremiah 24:9). In 2 Chronicles, the wrath H7110 of the Lord delivered Judah and Jerusalem to trouble H2113 2 Chronicles 29:8. A unique application is found in Isaiah, where the understanding of a report becomes a vexation H2113 Isaiah 28:19.
Several related words expand upon the concepts of divine judgment and agitation:
- H2189 zaʻăvâh (agitation, maltreatment): A word used by transposition for H2113, it carries the same meaning of being removed or subjected to trouble. It appears alongside H2113 in prophetic warnings, emphasizing the severity of being scattered among kingdoms (Jeremiah 15:4, 2 Chronicles 29:8).
- H7110 qetseph (wrath): This term describes the divine indignation that precipitates the judgment of H2113. The wrath of the LORD is the direct cause for delivering Judah and Jerusalem to trouble 2 Chronicles 29:8.
- H5080 nâdach (banish, drive away): This verb describes the action of being scattered, which is the consequence often associated with H2113. God warns that the people will be driven to other nations, where they will become a reproach Jeremiah 29:18.
The theological weight of H2113 is centered on the consequences of disobedience and the visible nature of divine judgment.
- A Sign of Broken Covenant: The state of zᵉvâʻâh is presented as a direct result of Israel's failure to uphold their covenant with God. This is explicitly tied to the sins of King Manasseh Jeremiah 15:4 and the people's failure to proclaim liberty to their brothers Jeremiah 34:17.
- Public Display of Judgment: To be made a zᵉvâʻâh was to become a public spectacle of God's judgment. The people were to be delivered up to become a reproach H2781, a proverb H4912, and a taunt H8148 among all nations, a tangible warning for all to see Jeremiah 24:9.
- Internal and External Turmoil: The term encompasses more than just physical displacement. It denotes a profound state of agitation and fear. The use of the word as vexation in Isaiah 28:19 reveals an inner turmoil and dread that accompanies God's judgment, where even understanding the message brings terror.
In summary, H2113 zᵉvâʻâh is a powerful term for agitation, trouble, and vexation, most often expressed as a terrifying removal and scattering. It functions almost exclusively as a descriptor of divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. The word illustrates how God's discipline can manifest as both a physical displacement to all kingdoms of the earth and an internal state of deep-seated fear and trouble.
TRV