Original Word: זֹה
Part of Speech: Pronoun Feminine
Transliteration: zoh
Pronunciation: zoh
Phonetic Spelling: (zo)
KJV: as well as another, it, this, that, thus and thus
NASB: this, thus
Word Origin: [for H2088 (זֶה - this)]

1. this or that

as well as another, it, this, that, thus and thus

For zeh; this or that -- as well as another, it, this, that, thus and thus.

see HEBREW zeh

Word Origin
a prim. pronoun
Definition
this
NASB Translation
this (7), thus (2).

זֹה this (feminine) = זֹאת (compare זוֺ, in Mishna the regular feminine of זֶה) — 2 Kings 6:19; Ezekiel 40:45; Ecclesiastes 2:2,24; Ecclesiastes 5:15; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 7:23; Ecclesiastes 9:13 (זאת does not occur in Ecclesiastes); also in the phrase כָּזֹה וְכָזֶה (see זה

6c β).

Form and Function

זֹה operates as an emphatic demonstrative that singles out a person, event, object, or concept that is immediately present or freshly introduced. By pointing to what is at hand, it calls the hearer or reader to give undivided attention to the matter God is highlighting.

Occurrences and Canonical Spread

Twelve occurrences range from historical narrative (Judges, Samuel, Kings) through poetry (Psalms), wisdom literature (Ecclesiastes), and prophetic vision (Ezekiel). The breadth testifies to its versatility: wherever God’s revelation requires sharp focus, זֹה is employed.

Historical Narrative: Exposing Motives and Directing Paths

• Judges 18:4: “This is what Micah did for me: He hired me and I have become his priest.” The Levite’s admission unmasking idolatrous worship is framed by זֹה, underscoring the gravity of misplaced priesthood.
• 2 Samuel 11:25: David commands, “Do not let this matter upset you.” The demonstrative narrows the lens to the immediate consequence of sin—Uriah’s death—without lessening future accountability.
• 2 Kings 6:19: Elisha declares, “This is not the way and this is not the city.” The prophet’s use of זֹה redirects blinded Syrian soldiers, illustrating how God’s word decisively reorients human trajectories.

Covenant and Royal Promise

Psalm 132:12 conditions the Davidic throne on fidelity to covenant. Although the English text does not repeat “this,” the Hebrew זֹה binds covenant-keeping to the enduring throne, making the divine promise concrete and near: the next generation must regard “this testimony” as present obligation.

Wisdom Literature: Interpreting Life under the Sun

Ecclesiastes repeatedly harnesses זֹה to evaluate human pursuits:
• 2:24 “This is from the hand of God”—contentment in daily labor;
• 5:19 “This is a gift from God”—material blessing rightly enjoyed;
• 7:23 “All this I tested by wisdom”—empirical verification;
• 9:13 “I have seen this wisdom as well”—personal observation of surprising deliverance.

The demonstrative underscores Qoheleth’s method: not speculation but firsthand, observable reality measured against divine providence.

Prophetic Precision

Ezekiel 40:45 situates priestly chambers: “This chamber that faces south is for the priests who keep charge of the temple.” In the visionary tour, זֹה assigns sacred space, reinforcing the holiness and order of future worship.

Theological Themes

1. Immediacy of Revelation—God does not traffic in abstractions; He identifies “this” matter, “this” covenant, “this” wisdom, calling each generation to tangible obedience.
2. Accountability—By pinpointing specific actions (Judges 18; 2 Samuel 11), זֹה leaves no room for evasion; the Word exposes sin and demands response.
3. Gift and Grace—Ecclesiastes turns the demonstrative into a refrain of gratitude: ordinary pleasures are “this” gift straight from God’s hand.
4. Eschatological Focus—Ezekiel’s temple vision, grounded in זֹה, anticipates the consummation of ordered worship ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the true Temple (John 2:19–21).

Pastoral and Ministry Application

Preaching and discipleship benefit from the decisiveness inherent in זֹה. Whether confronting sin, presenting the gospel, or outlining covenant obligations, clarity begins with identifying the “this” that God is addressing in the text and in contemporary life. It encourages believers to move from vague spirituality to concrete obedience—“Do not let this matter upset you… press on” (2 Samuel 11:25), “This is from the hand of God” (Ecclesiastes 2:24).

Christological Foreshadowing

In the Gospels the Lord repeatedly uses the Greek equivalent τοῦτο—“this is My body… this is My blood” (Matthew 26:26–28). The Old Testament witness of זֹה reaches its apex when the incarnate Word points to Himself as the definitive “this” of divine revelation. What was preliminary and partial in Judges, Kings, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Ezekiel finds ultimate clarity in Jesus Christ, the One to whom every demonstrative promise leads.

Summary

זֹה is a small yet potent word that gathers God’s commands, promises, wisdom, and prophetic hope into the sphere of the immediate. It transforms abstract truth into lived reality, underscoring Scripture’s coherent message: the Lord speaks concretely so that His people may trust, obey, and rejoice—right here, right now.

ז֗וֹ זֹ֕ה זֹ֖ה זֹ֛ה זֹ֣ה זֹּ֥ה זֹה֙ זה זו כָּזֹ֣ה כָּזֹ֥ה כָזֹ֥ה כזה chaZoh kā·zōh ḵā·zōh kaZoh kāzōh ḵāzōh zo zoh zōh zōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts