The Hebrew word zᵉʻêyr, represented by H2191, means small or little. Its root carries the meaning of dwindling. It appears 5 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, used to describe a small quantity or a brief measure.
In its biblical usage, H2191 appears in two distinct contexts. In the book of Isaiah, it is part of a repetitive, almost mocking, phrase: "precept upon precept... line upon line; here a little, and there a little" Isaiah 28:10. This structure is repeated when describing how the word of the LORD came to the people, which ultimately led to their stumbling Isaiah 28:13. In the book of Job, the term is used to request a short period of patience: "Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee" Job 36:2.
Several related words provide context for the meaning of H2191:
- H6673 tsav (precept): Defined as "an injunction; commandment, precept," this word is found in the rhythmic teaching described in Isaiah, directly preceding the phrase "here a little, and there a little" Isaiah 28:10.
- H6957 qav (line): Meaning "a cord... especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule;... line," this term is also paired with H2191 in Isaiah, reinforcing the idea of a measured, incremental form of instruction Isaiah 28:13.
- H3803 kâthar (suffer): This root, meaning to "wait (as restraining oneself);... suffer," is used directly with H2191 in Job's plea to "Suffer me a little" Job 36:2, connecting the small amount of time to an act of patient waiting.
The theological weight of H2191 is derived from its context:
- Incremental Instruction as Judgment: In Isaiah, the repetitive communication of "here a little, and there a little" is not presented as a beneficial teaching method. Instead, it is how the word of the LORD was delivered to the people so "that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken" Isaiah 28:13.
- A Brief Moment for God's Sake: In Job, "a little" time is requested for a sacred purpose. The small delay is explicitly for the speaker to "speak on God's behalf" Job 36:2, showing that a brief moment can be of great importance in a theological context.
In summary, H2191 zᵉʻêyr is a term for small or little whose significance is defined by its application. While it denotes a small measure, it can illustrate a divine instruction that leads to judgment through its piecemeal nature in Isaiah. Conversely, it can represent a valuable and brief opportunity to speak truth on behalf of God, as seen in Job.
TRV