זֵעָה

זֵעָה

perspiration

Definition

זֵעָה (zêʻâh) refers specifically to perspiration or sweat. In its sole biblical occurrence in Genesis 3:19, it describes the physical sweat of the human brow, a direct consequence of the curse after the Fall. The word conveys the toil, hardship, and physical exertion required for human survival in a fallen world. It is a concrete symbol of the broken relationship between humanity, the ground, and God's original design for effortless provision.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 3:19. It appears in God's pronouncement of judgment upon Adam: 'By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food.' Its usage is entirely contextual to the narrative of the Fall, serving as a key element of the curse that explains the hardship of agricultural labor.

Etymology

Derived from the root זוּעַ (zûaʿ, H2111), which means 'to tremble, quake, or be agitated.' The noun זֵעָה likely developed from a related root meaning 'to sweat' (as in H3154, יֶזַע, also meaning sweat), connecting the physical act of sweating to the concept of agitation or intense effort.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it encapsulates the physical and existential reality of the Fall. It marks the introduction of painful toil and struggle into human existence, directly linking human labor with mortality ('until you return to the ground'). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Genesis 3 by highlighting sweat not merely as a biological function, but as a divine ordinance and a perpetual sign of humanity's fallen state and estrangement from God's original shalom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, agricultural labor was the primary means of subsistence and was often backbreaking. Sweat symbolized extreme physical exertion, hardship, and the fragile, effort-dependent nature of human life contrasted with the divine realm. This cultural understanding amplifies the weight of God's curse in Genesis 3:19. יֶזַע (yezaʿ, H3154) — A less common synonym also meaning 'sweat,' used in Ezekiel 44:18 in a ritual context regarding priestly garments.

Word Details