Dictionary:זוד/0

זוד

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זוד

Part of Speech	Verb
Occurrences	10
Possible Meanings	Act with sinful intent Act arrogantly
Related Words	זֵד , זָדוֹן

Possible Meanings

The context of nine occurrences of the verb זוד‎,¹ is rebellious or otherwise sinful behavior. However, in one additional instance (Bereshit 25:29), וַיָּזֶד refers to the act of cooking/boiling. In light of this apparent contradiction, commentators debate the precise definition of the root זוד (and the nature of its relationship to the singular meaning of וַיָּזֶד):

1. Act with sinful intent

• See Targum Pseudo-JonathanShemot 18:11About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, RashiShemot 18:11Shemot 21:14About Rashi, Ibn EzraShemot 18:11Shemot 21:14About Ibn Ezra, RadakSefer HaShorashim זודAbout Radak, RambanShemot 18:11About Ramban.²
• Radak links this understanding to the word מזיד, used in Rabbinic Hebrew to refer to an intentional act.³ According to both R. Yonah ibn JanachSefer HaShorashim s.v. זוד, נזדAbout Ibn Janach and RadakSefer HaShorashim s.v. זוד, נזדAbout Radak, the verb וַיָּזֶד used in Bereshit 25:29 is unconnected to this meaning and comes from the completely different root of נזד.

2. Act arrogantly

• See ShadalShemot 18:11About Shadal,⁴ U. CassutoShemot 18:11About Prof. U. Cassuto, Brown Driver Briggs Lexicon (BDB).⁵
• The advantage of this approach is that it allows one to connect all of the occurrences of the root to a meaning of rising or expanding. I.e., when used in a physical context the term refers to cooking or boiling, but when used in a mental context it refers to acting arrogantly.

The various forms of זֵד / זָדוֹן share the same issues as the verb. They can be explained as referring to either an intentionally wicked action or person, or an arrogant action or person.

Disputed Cases

Shemot 18:11

In the case of כִּי בַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר זָדוּ עֲלֵיהֶם, commentators disagree regarding the root of זָדוּ and its meaning. See Power and Justice.

Semantic Evolution

Intra-Biblical

Rabbinic Hebrew

In Rabbinic sources, זָדוֹן is used to describe a premeditated sin (in contrast to a שְׁגָגָה). Rabbinic Hebrew also introduced the word מֵזִיד as a term for intentional sinning (in contrast to שׁוֹגֵג). This usage likely influenced many medieval commentators in their understanding of the root זוד.

Modern Hebrew

¹ Shemot 18:11, Shemot 21:14, Devarim 1:43, Devarim 17:13, Devarim 18:20, Yirmeyahu 50:29, Nechemyah 9:10,16,29.

² Most other medieval commentators follow suit.

³ It is likely that Rabbinic usage had an influence on the medieval interpretations of the root – see below.

⁴ Cf. Shadal Bereshit 25:29Bereshit 25:29About Shadal where he connects וַיָּזֶד and זד/זדון, explaining that all involve a boiling over. See also Shadal Bemidbar 14:44Bemidbar 14:44About Shadal where he explains that the word וַיַּעְפִּלוּ, which is parallel to וַתָּזִדוּ in Devarim 1:43, means to act haughtily.

⁵ Support for this definition can be brought from various Biblical usages of both the verb and nouns (see below). See, for instance, Devarim 17:12-13 which speaks of someone acting with presumption and defiance against the priest, and Devarim 18:20-22 which speak of a false prophet who presumes to speak in the name of God. Similarly, in Yeshayahu 13:11, זֵדִים is paired with the adjective גְּאוֹן (pride), and in Mishlei 21:24 it is linked to יָהִיר (haughty). See also the adjectival form הַמַּיִם הַזֵּידוֹנִים in Tehillim 124:5 which, from context, refers to flooding waters, and works well with a meaning of rising or expanding.