### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **zêʻâh**, represented by `{{H2188}}`, is defined as **perspiration** or **sweat**. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, making its single usage profoundly significant. This word is exclusively associated with the curse of toil placed upon humanity after the fall in the Garden of Eden.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its sole biblical occurrence, `{{H2188}}` is a central element of the divine judgment declared in Genesis. The verse states, "In the **sweat** of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground" [[Genesis 3:19]]. Here, **sweat** symbolizes the arduous labor and struggle that would henceforth characterize human existence. It stands in stark contrast to the provision within the garden, marking a fundamental shift in humanity's relationship with creation and sustenance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its context in [[Genesis 3:19]] illuminate the meaning of **zêʻâh**:
* `{{H639}}` **'aph** (face): Defined as the nose, nostril, or **face**, this word identifies the physical location of the toil's evidence. It also carries a connotation of **wrath**, fitting the context of judgment [[Genesis 3:19]].
* `{{H398}}` **'âkal** (to eat): This is the purpose of the labor. Man must toil and **sweat** in order to **eat**, directly linking sustenance to struggle [[Genesis 3:19]].
* `{{H7725}}` **shûwb** (to turn back): The toil represented by **sweat** is finite, lasting only until a person shall **return** to the dust, reinforcing the theme of mortality introduced in the judgment [[Genesis 3:19]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2188}}` is immense, establishing key principles about the human condition.
* **The Consequence of Sin:** **Sweat** is presented as a direct result of disobedience. It is the tangible, physical manifestation of the curse on labor, where sustenance is no longer freely given but must be produced through hardship [[Genesis 3:19]].
* **A Life of Toil:** The word establishes that difficult labor is a foundational aspect of life outside of Eden. The struggle to **eat** is inextricably linked to the effort that produces **sweat** [[Genesis 3:19]].
* **Humanity's Connection to the Earth:** The verse connects the **sweat** of man's face to his effort to get bread from the **ground** `{{H127}}`, the very **dust** `{{H6083}}` to which he will **return**, creating a cycle of toil and mortality [[Genesis 3:19]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2188}}` **zêʻâh** is a powerful and specific term. Despite appearing only once, it defines the essence of laborious struggle in a fallen world. It forever links the concepts of work, pain, and human mortality to the consequences of sin detailed in Genesis. This single word encapsulates a core tenet of biblical anthropology, illustrating how life would be characterized by the toil required to survive until returning to the ground.
TRV