### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective H2134 (זַךְ, zak) is derived from the verb `{{H2141}}` (זָכַךְ, zakak), meaning "to be clean, pure, or clear." As an adjective, zak denotes a state of inherent purity, freedom from admixture, defilement, or blemish. Its semantic range encompasses:
1. **Physical Purity:** Referring to material substances that are unadulterated, unmixed, or of the highest quality, such as "pure olive oil."
2. **Moral Purity:** Describing a state of blamelessness, integrity, or freedom from sin and corruption in one's character, actions, or words.
3. **Intellectual Purity:** Implying truthfulness, accuracy, or freedom from error or deceit in teaching or understanding.
The term fundamentally conveys an intrinsic, unblemished quality, whether tangible or abstract.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While the root `{{H2141}}` (zakak) is more widely used, H2134 (zak) appears in significant contexts:
* **Exodus 27:20 and Leviticus 24:2**: In both instances, zak is used in the phrase "pure olive oil" (שֶׁמֶן זַךְ). This oil was specifically prescribed for the lampstand in the Tabernacle, which was to burn continuously. The requirement for "pure" oil underscores the demand for the highest quality and ritual purity in anything used for divine service. It symbolizes the unblemished nature of the light of God's presence and the unadulterated devotion required of His people. The oil must be free from sediment or impurities, ensuring a clear and steady flame.
* **Job 11:4**: Here, Zophar, one of Job's friends, declares, "For you say, 'My doctrine is pure' (לֶקְחִי זָךְ)." In this context, zak refers to the moral and intellectual integrity of Zophar's teaching or understanding. He claims his counsel is free from error, deceit, or corrupting influence, presenting his words as unblemished and true. This usage extends the concept of purity from the physical realm to the ethical and intellectual, highlighting a desire for rectitude in thought and speech.
These occurrences demonstrate zak's dual application: first, in the meticulous demands of cultic purity for divine worship, and second, in the realm of moral and intellectual integrity.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding zak is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms expressing purity and cleanness:
* **`{{H2141}}` (זָכַךְ, zakak)**: The verbal root of zak, meaning "to be clean, pure, clear." This is the foundational concept, indicating the process or state of becoming pure.
* **`{{H2891}}` (טָהוֹר, tahor)**: "Clean, pure." This is a very common term, particularly in ritual contexts, denoting a state of ceremonial purity (e.g., clean animals, clean persons, clean vessels). While zak often emphasizes an intrinsic, unadulterated quality, tahor can describe a state of purity achieved through ritual cleansing or inherent cleanness according to Mosaic law. They are closely related but can have distinct nuances.
* **`{{H1249}}` (בָּר, bar)**: "Pure, clean." Similar to zak, bar is used for pure grain, pure heart, or pure hands. It denotes freedom from admixture or moral blamelessness, often appearing in poetic or wisdom literature (e.g., [[Psalm 24:4]]).
* **`{{H6663}}` (צָדִיק, tsaddiq)**: "Righteous." While not a direct synonym, purity (zak) is often an inherent characteristic or a desired state for the righteous (tsaddiq). Moral purity aligns closely with the concept of righteousness before God.
* **Purity (general concept)**: In the Old Testament, purity is a multifaceted concept, encompassing physical, ritual, and moral dimensions. It signifies wholeness, integrity, and freedom from defilement, all essential for drawing near to a holy God.
### Theological Significance
The concept embedded in H2134 (zak) carries profound theological significance:
* **Reflection of God's Nature:** The demand for zak in worship and life ultimately reflects God's own absolute purity and holiness. As God is inherently pure and unblemished, so He demands purity from His people and in their approach to Him. The "pure olive oil" for the lampstand [[Exodus 27:20]] is not merely a practical requirement but a symbolic representation of the unblemished light of God's presence and the unadulterated devotion expected from those who serve Him.
* **Moral and Spiritual Integrity:** Beyond physical or ritual cleanness, zak points to an inner state of integrity. Zophar's assertion in [[Job 11:4]] highlights the aspiration for intellectual and moral purity—a mind and word free from deceit, error, or corrupting influence. This resonates with the broader biblical call for a pure heart and clean hands, which are presented as prerequisites for fellowship with God [[Psalm 24:4]]. True worship involves not just outward ritual but inward purity.
* **Aspiration for Wholeness and Blamelessness:** The pursuit of zak is an aspiration for spiritual wholeness and blamelessness before a holy God. It signifies a desire to be unmixed with sin or corruption, to live a life that reflects God's character. This pursuit involves both active cleansing and a commitment to maintaining an undefiled state.
* **Anticipation of Christ:** The Old Testament emphasis on purity, including the concept embedded in zak, foreshadows the ultimate purity and sinlessness of Jesus Christ. He is the "pure" offering, the Lamb without blemish, who perfectly fulfilled the demands of God's holiness. Through His atoning work, Christ makes His people truly pure, enabling them to stand blameless before God.
### Summary
The Hebrew adjective H2134 (זַךְ, zak), derived from `{{H2141}}` (זָכַךְ), denotes a state of being "clear, clean, or pure." Its use in the Old Testament spans literal physical purity, such as "pure olive oil" for sacred lamps [[Exodus 27:20]], and extends to moral and intellectual integrity, as seen in Zophar's claim of "pure doctrine" [[Job 11:4]]. Contextual analysis reveals its critical role in cultic requirements, signifying unadulterated quality for divine service, and in ethical discourse, representing freedom from blemish or error. Related terms like `{{H2891}}` (טָהוֹר, tahor) and `{{H1249}}` (בָּר, bar) reinforce the comprehensive biblical concept of purity. Theologically, zak underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for unblemished worship and moral uprightness from His people. It points to a deep aspiration for inner integrity and foreshadows the ultimate purity and blamelessness found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
TRV