זָלַל
to shake (as in the wind), i.e. to quake; figuratively, to be loose morally, worthless or prodigal
Definition
The verb זָלַל (zâlal) carries a core meaning of 'to shake' or 'to be loose,' which develops in two primary directions. In its literal sense, it describes a violent shaking or quaking, often of mountains or the earth, as seen in Isaiah 64:1, 3 where the prophet pleads for God to make the mountains quake. Figuratively, this sense of being 'loose' or 'shaken' from proper restraint is applied to human behavior, describing someone who is morally lax, wasteful, and gluttonous. This is its dominant usage, characterizing a 'riotous eater' or 'prodigal' son who squanders resources (Deuteronomy 21:20, Proverbs 23:20-21).
Biblical Usage
זָלַל is used eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in wisdom and prophetic literature. In the book of Proverbs (23:20-21, 28:7), it describes the gluttonous, wasteful person who lacks self-control and brings poverty. Deuteronomy 21:20 uses it legally to label a stubborn and rebellious son who is a 'glutton and a drunkard.' The prophets employ the literal sense: Isaiah (64:1, 3) uses it for the earth quaking at God's presence, and Lamentations 1:11 uses it metaphorically for Jerusalem's people becoming 'worthless' or 'vile' in their suffering.
Etymology
זָלַל is a primitive root. It is related to זוּל (zûl, H2107), which means 'to be light, worthless, or to shake out.' This shared root concept connects the physical action of shaking or being loose with the moral idea of being lightweight, insubstantial, or of little value. The meaning developed from the concrete image of something shaking loose to the abstract concept of moral and social looseness.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects physical and spiritual disorder. The 'shaking' of creation (Isaiah 64:3) points to God's awesome power and the cosmic impact of His intervention. More prominently, the moral sense highlights the biblical view of sin as a failure of self-governance and stewardship. The 'riotous' or 'gluttonous' person (זָלַל) is not merely overindulgent but is spiritually 'loose'—unmoored from wisdom, community responsibility, and reverence for God's provision. It underscores that physical appetites are a moral and spiritual matter, a theme central to wisdom literature.
In ancient Israelite culture, food and resources were often scarce, and communal stability was paramount. A 'gluttonous and drunkard' son (Deuteronomy 21:20) was not just a personal failure but a direct threat to the family's economic survival and social honor. The label זָלַל implied a shocking waste of precious resources and a rejection of the self-controlled, disciplined life upheld by wisdom teachers. This cultural gravity makes the charge far more severe than a simple modern accusation of overeating.
זוּל (zûl, H2107) — Shares the root meaning of being light or worthless, but more often denotes contempt or despising. סָבָא (sâbâ', H5433) — Specifically means 'to drink heavily, to be intoxicated,' often paired with זָלַל for 'glutton and drunkard.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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