זוד

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זוד
Part of SpeechVerb
Occurrences10
Possible Meanings
  1. Act with sinful intent
  2. Act arrogantly
Related Wordsזֵד , 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):

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.

1. Act with sinful intent

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.

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.

Idioms

Relationship to Synonyms

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

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