The Hebrew word zârâʼ, represented by H2214, means disgust or loathsome. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Derived from a root signifying estrangement, the word describes a profound sense of revulsion, often as a consequence of turning away from a divine standard.
The single use of H2214 is found in a moment of intense judgment. In Numbers 11:20, God responds to the Israelites' complaining and demand for meat, promising to give them so much that it will "be loathsome unto you." This outcome is explicitly linked to their attitude, "because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him." The very thing they craved becomes a source of disgust, a direct consequence of their ungratefulness and rejection of God's provision.
The context of H2214 is illuminated by other words used in the same verse:
- H3988 mâʼaç: This primitive root means to spurn or despise. It conveys an active rejection or casting away of something. In the case of the Israelites, they despised God's law and commandments Amos 2:4 and, in doing so, rejected God himself, which led to their own rejection 1 Samuel 15:23.
- H1058 bâkâh: A primitive root meaning to weep or bemoan. While weeping can be an expression of repentance or righteous grief, as when the priests are called to weep before the altar Joel 2:17, in the context of Numbers 11:20 it represents a form of self-pitying complaint against God's care.
The theological significance of H2214 is concentrated in its sole appearance:
- Judgment through Fulfillment: The word illustrates a principle where God's judgment can manifest as the granting of a sinful desire to the point that it becomes repulsive. The craving for meat, born of discontent, is met with an overwhelming supply that results in loathing.
- The Fruit of Contempt: Its use in Numbers 11:20 directly connects the feeling of "loathsome" H2214 with the act of having "despised" H3988 the Lord. This demonstrates that contempt for God and His provision ultimately breeds disgust and revulsion, even in blessings.
- Ungrateful Complaint: The Israelites' weeping H1058 was not for sin but out of a lack of contentment. This act, combined with their rejection of God, culminates in the promise of a loathsome outcome, showing how ungrateful desires can curdle into a curse.
In summary, H2214 is a rare but potent term. It encapsulates the idea of disgust that arises not arbitrarily, but as the direct consequence of spurning God's provision and presence. Its singular use in scripture serves as a stark warning that receiving what one sinfully craves can lead to a state of utter loathing, transforming a desired object into a source of revulsion.
TRV