Word Study for H2111 (זוּעַ) | Strong's Concordance

zûwaʻ /zoo'-ah/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root

Meaningproperly, to shake off, i.e. (figuratively) to agitate (as with fear)

KJV usagemove, tremble, vex.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zûwaʻ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word zûwaʻ, represented by H2111, is a primitive root used to signify agitation, fear, movement, or vexation. Its base definition is to shake off, move, tremble, or vex. Though it appears only 3 times across 3 unique verses, its applications are distinct, describing responses to threats, authority, and the natural process of aging.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H2111 captures a range of human experience. In the context of divine judgment, the prophet Habakkuk asks if enemies will rise up to vex the wicked, pointing to an agitation caused by attack Habakkuk 2:7. In the book of Esther, the word conveys a deliberate lack of movement as an act of defiance; Mordecai's refusal to stand or move for Haman demonstrates disrespect that fills Haman with indignation Esther 5:9. Finally, Ecclesiastes uses the term to poetically describe the physical frailty of old age, when the "keepers of the house shall tremble" Ecclesiastes 12:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are used in conjunction with H2111, clarifying its meaning in context:

H5391 nâshak (to bite): This word appears in parallel with zûwaʻ in a prophecy of judgment, where aggressors will suddenly bite and vex their target Habakkuk 2:7.
H6965 qûwm (to rise): In Esther, Mordecai's defiance is shown by his refusal to rise up or move, linking the two actions as expected signs of reverence Esther 5:9.
H2534 chêmâh (indignation): This is the direct emotional result of Mordecai's stillness. His refusal to move for Haman causes Haman to be filled with indignation Esther 5:9.
H5791 ʻâvath (to bow self): In the description of aging, the trembling of the house's keepers is mentioned alongside how the strong men shall bow themselves, creating a composite image of physical decline Ecclesiastes 12:3.

Theological Significance

The significance of H2111 is found in its portrayal of both voluntary and involuntary responses to power and decay.

Agitation from Judgment: The word is used to describe the terror inflicted upon a person or nation facing divine retribution, where being "vexed" is a component of their downfall Habakkuk 2:7.
The Posture of Defiance: By not moving, Mordecai makes a powerful statement. His stillness is not weakness but a conscious refusal to honor a wicked authority, showing that physical deference can be withheld as an act of integrity Esther 5:9.
The Inevitability of Frailty: The term's use in Ecclesiastes serves as a metaphor for human mortality. The involuntary "tremble" of old age is presented as a universal reality, reminding the reader of the transient nature of physical strength Ecclesiastes 12:3.

Summary

In summary, zûwaʻ H2111 is a multifaceted word that, despite its infrequent use, carries significant weight. It connects the physical act of shaking or moving with the internal, emotional states of fear, agitation, and defiance. From the terror of judgment to the quiet dignity of resistance and the humbling reality of aging, it demonstrates how movement—or the lack thereof—can convey deep theological and human truths.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

מְזַעְזְעֶי
יָּזֻעוּ
זָע

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Esther, Ecclesiastes, and Habakkuk (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

Esther

Ecclesiastes

Habakkuk

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.