Original Word: זְאֵב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: z'eb
Pronunciation: zeh-ev
Phonetic Spelling: (zeh-abe')
Definition: Wolf
Meaning: a wolf

wolf

From an unused root meaning to be yellow; a wolf -- wolf.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a wolf
NASB Translation
wolf (4), wolves (3).

I. זְאֵב noun masculine^{Isaiah 11:6} wolf (Late Hebrew id., Arabic (jackal according to Hom^{NS 303 ff.}; but see RS^{ZMG 1880, 373 and} Doughty^{Arab. Deseria i. 327}; ii. 144, 145) Aramaic דֵּיבָה, Assyrian zîbu Dl^{S 47}; Ethiopic hyena Di¹⁰⁵⁶ (on formation compare Lag^{BN 58}); Phoenician in compound proper name זיבקם) — זְאֵב absolute Genesis 49:27 2t.; construct Jeremiah 5:6; plural זְאֵבִים Ezekiel 22:27; construct זְאֵבֵי Habakkuk 1:8; Zephaniah 3:3; — wolf, never in narrative; in predictions of peace in Messian. age וְגָר זְאֵב עִם כֶּבֶשׂ Isaiah 11:6 זְאֵב וְטָלֶה יִרְעוּ כְּאֶחָד Isaiah 65:25; in simile, of Benjamin's fierceness זְאֵב יִטְרָ֑ף ׳ב Genesis 49:27; of fierce horses of Chaldeans חַדּוּ מִזְּאֵבֵי עֶרֶב Habakkuk 1:8 ("" קַלּוּ מִנְּמֵרִים); of princes of Judah כִּזְאֵבִים טֹרְפֵי טָ֑רֶף Ezekiel 22:27; metaphor of enemies of Judah Jeremiah 5:6 זְאֵב עֲרָבוֺת ("" אַרְיֵה, נָמֵר); of corrupt and oppressive judges שֹׁפְטֶיהָ זְאֵבֵי עֶרֶב Zephaniah 3:3 ("" אֲרָיוֺת שֹׁאֲגִים).

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to be yellow.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G3074 (λύκος, lykos): The Greek equivalent for "wolf," used in the New Testament to convey similar themes of danger and predation. For example, in Matthew 7:15, Jesus warns of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

The use of the term זְאֵב (ze'ev) in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of danger, deceit, and destruction, often used to caution against those who would harm the innocent or lead others astray.

Usage: The term זְאֵב (ze'ev) is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to a wolf, often symbolizing predatory behavior or danger. It appears in various contexts, both literal and metaphorical.

Context: • The word זְאֵב (ze'ev) is used in the Hebrew Scriptures to describe the animal known for its cunning and predatory nature. Wolves are often depicted as threats to flocks, symbolizing danger and destruction. In the Bible, wolves are frequently used metaphorically to describe wicked or deceitful people who prey on the vulnerable.
• Key Biblical References:
• Genesis 49:27: In Jacob's blessing of his sons, Benjamin is compared to a ravenous wolf, indicating a fierce and aggressive nature: "Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the plunder."
• Ezekiel 22:27: The leaders of Israel are likened to wolves, highlighting their corrupt and destructive behavior: "Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain."
• Habakkuk 1:8: The swiftness and ferocity of the Chaldeans are compared to wolves: "Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk."
• The imagery of wolves is also used in the New Testament, where false prophets and deceitful individuals are described as wolves in sheep's clothing, emphasizing their deceptive and dangerous nature.

זְאֵ֣ב זְאֵ֣בֵי זְאֵ֤ב זְאֵ֨ב זְאֵב֙ זאב זאבי כִּזְאֵבִ֖ים כזאבים מִזְּאֵ֣בֵי מזאבי kiz’êḇîm kiz·’ê·ḇîm kizeVim miz·zə·’ê·ḇê mizzə’êḇê mizzeEvei zə’êḇ zə’êḇê zə·’ê·ḇê zə·’êḇ zeEv zeEveiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts