Original Word: זַלְעָפָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: zal`aphah
Pronunciation: zah-lah-fah
Phonetic Spelling: (zal-aw-faw')
Definition: Heat, burning, fever
Meaning: a glow, a famine

horrible, horror, terrible

Or ziliaphaph {zil-aw-faw'}; from za'aph; a glow (of wind or anger); also a famine (as consuming) -- horrible, horror, terrible.

see HEBREW za'aph

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
raging heat
NASB Translation
burning (1), burning heat (1), burning indignation (1).

זַלְעָפָה noun feminine raging heat (on formation compare Ges^{Lbg 863} Ol^{§ 196 a. 1. 2}) — ׳ז Psalm 119:53; plural absolute זִלְעָפוֺת Psalm 11:6; construct זִלְעֲפוֺת Lamentations 5:10; —

1 of fever heat of famine רָעָב ׳ז Lamentations 5:10.

2 of burning wind ׳רוּח ז Psalm 11:6 (in figurative of ׳יs judgment, with אֵשׁ, גָּפְרִית).

3 figurative of zeal אֲחָזַתְנִי ׳ז Psalm 119:53.

Word Origin: Derived from the root זָעַף (za'aph), which means to be angry or to glow.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for זַלְעָפָה in the Strong's Greek lexicon. However, related concepts of divine wrath or consuming fire can be found in Greek terms such as πυρός (pyros • fire) and λιμός (limos • famine), which capture similar themes of destruction and judgment.

Usage: The term זַלְעָפָה is used in the context of describing a burning heat or glow, often metaphorically referring to the intense conditions of a famine or a consuming fire.

Context: • Occurrences in Scripture: The word זַלְעָפָה appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts that convey the idea of intense heat or a consuming force. It is often associated with the imagery of a burning or glowing condition, which can be literal or metaphorical.
• Theological Implications: In the biblical narrative, זַלְעָפָה is used to describe situations of extreme distress or divine judgment. The imagery of a consuming fire or famine serves as a powerful metaphor for God's wrath or the severe consequences of sin. This term underscores the severity of divine retribution and the purifying nature of God's judgment.
• Example in Scripture: In the book of Psalms, the term is used to describe the overwhelming and consuming nature of God's anger or the dire circumstances faced by the people. The Berean Standard Bible translates these instances to convey the intensity and severity of the situation.
• Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Near Eastern culture, famine and fire were both seen as devastating forces that could bring about significant suffering and destruction. The use of זַלְעָפָה in the Hebrew Bible reflects this understanding and serves to communicate the seriousness of the conditions being described.

זִלְעָפ֗וֹת זַלְעֲפ֥וֹת זַלְעָפָ֣ה זלעפה זלעפות zal‘āp̄āh zal‘ăp̄ōwṯ zal·‘ā·p̄āh zal·‘ă·p̄ō·wṯ zalaFah zalaFot zil‘āp̄ōwṯ zil·‘ā·p̄ō·wṯ zilaFotInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts