(Aramaic) corresponding to זָעַק; to make an outcry; cry.
Transliteration:zᵉʻiq
Pronunciation:zek'-eek
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb `{{H2200}}` (זְעִק, transliterated as *zᵉʻiq*) carries the fundamental meaning "to make an outcry" or "to cry." It is explicitly defined as the Aramaic equivalent of the more frequently occurring Hebrew verb `{{H2199}}` (זָעַק, *za'aq*). The semantic range of zᵉʻiq thus encompasses a forceful, often urgent, vocal expression. While it can denote a cry of distress, a plea for help, or a summons, its single biblical occurrence also demonstrates its capacity to describe an intense, collective emotional outpouring, whether of joy, sorrow, or a mixture thereof. It implies a sound that is loud, significant, and often born of deep feeling rather than casual utterance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic verb `{{H2200}}` appears only once in the biblical text, in [[Ezra 3:13]]. The context describes the laying of the foundation for the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian exile:
"so that no one could distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a great shout (וְקָלָא זְעִק), and the sound was heard far away."
In this passage, zᵉʻiq is translated as "shout" or "outcry." It characterizes the overwhelming, mixed sounds emanating from the assembly. On one hand, many rejoiced loudly at the sight of the temple foundation, recalling God's faithfulness and the restoration of worship. On the other, older individuals wept, remembering the glory of the first temple destroyed by the Babylonians. The use of zᵉʻiq here emphasizes the sheer volume and emotional intensity of this communal expression, a sound so profound that it became indistinguishable, a powerful testament to the people's complex feelings and devotion. This instance highlights zᵉʻiq as a descriptor of a powerful, collective vocalization, not exclusively tied to distress but capable of conveying intense, multi-faceted emotion.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H2199}}` (זָעַק, *za'aq*), which also means "to cry out" or "to call." The usage of `{{H2199}}` provides a broader understanding of the semantic field. Za'aq is frequently used in contexts of:
* **Distress and Oppression:** The cry of the Israelites under Egyptian bondage ([[Exodus 2:23]], [[Exodus 3:7]]).
* **Plea for Help:** A call to God for deliverance or intervention in times of trouble ([[Judges 4:3]], [[1 Samuel 7:8]]).
* **Justice:** The cry of the wronged or the blood of Abel crying out from the ground ([[Genesis 4:10]]).
* **Alarm or Warning:** A cry signaling danger or summoning help in an emergency.
Other related Hebrew terms that denote various forms of vocal expression include:
* `{{H7442}}` (רָנַן, *ranan*): "to shout for joy," often in worship or celebration.
* `{{H8159}}` (שָׁוַע, *shava'*): "to cry for help," emphasizing a plea.
* `{{H6817}}` (צָוַח, *tsavach*): "to shriek," "to cry out," often in a loud, piercing manner.
The connection to `{{H2199}}` is crucial, as it grounds `{{H2200}}` in a rich biblical tradition of human vocalization before God and in response to life's circumstances.
### Theological Significance
Though `{{H2200}}` itself has only one occurrence, its theological significance is deeply informed by its correspondence to the Hebrew `{{H2199}}`. The "outcry" or "cry" in the biblical narrative often serves as a profound theological marker:
1. **Human Vulnerability and Dependence:** The act of crying out, especially to God, signifies human helplessness and absolute reliance on divine intervention. It is an acknowledgment that human strength or resources are insufficient.
2. **God's Attentiveness and Justice:** A recurring theological motif is that God "hears" the cry of His people, particularly the oppressed and suffering. This demonstrates God's compassionate nature, His commitment to justice, and His readiness to act on behalf of those who call upon Him ([[Exodus 3:7]], [[Psalm 34:17]]).
3. **Corporate Worship and Emotional Expression:** In [[Ezra 3:13]], the zᵉʻiq represents a collective, uninhibited outpouring of emotion in the context of worship and remembrance. It signifies a people fully engaged with their spiritual heritage, expressing both sorrow for past losses and exuberant hope for future restoration. This "outcry" is a powerful act of communal worship, demonstrating a profound connection to God's ongoing work in their history. It illustrates that worship is not always serene but can be a visceral, loud, and deeply emotional experience.
### Summary
`{{H2200}}` (זְעִק, *zᵉʻiq*) is an Aramaic verb meaning "to make an outcry" or "to cry," serving as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew `{{H2199}}` (זָעַק). Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Ezra 3:13]] vividly describes the overwhelming, mixed sounds of joy and weeping from the people as they celebrated the laying of the temple foundation. This context highlights its capacity to denote intense, collective emotional expression. While its direct usage in Ezra focuses on a communal outpouring of feeling, its broader theological significance is enriched by its Hebrew counterpart, which frequently emphasizes a cry of distress, a plea for divine intervention, or a call for justice. Ultimately, zᵉʻiq underscores the human capacity for profound vocalization in response to life's circumstances and in worship, and it implicitly points to God's attentiveness to the diverse outcries of His people.
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