ζῆλος
zēlos
zeal
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the given data, the Greek word "ζῆλος" (zēlos) primarily conveys a sense of fervent eagerness or ardent enthusiasm. It is defined as "zeal," which implies a strong emotional investment in a particular cause or pursuit. This emotional investment is not necessarily focused on negative emotions like anger or resentment, but rather on a sense of passion, dedication, and commitment. The word "ζῆλος" has 16 occurrences in the Bible, which suggests its significance within the biblical narrative. Its range of usage is quite broad, encompassing various contexts and themes. Without further information about the specific passages where this word is used, it is difficult to speculate on its exact significance. However, it is likely that this word plays a central role in expressing the emotional intensity and commitment of characters and communities within the biblical stories. The presence of "ζῆλος" in 16 biblical passages likely underscores its importance as a motif in the biblical narrative. Its emphasis on eagerness, enthusiasm, or dedication suggests that the authors or translators of these passages valued strong emotional investment and commitment in their characters and communities.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
16 total occurrences across the text
His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”
Acts 5:17But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy
Acts 13:45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
Romans 10:2For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Romans 13:13Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
1 Corinthians 3:3for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?
2 Corinthians 7:7and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.
2 Corinthians 7:11For behold, this same thing, that you were grieved in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
2 Corinthians 9:2for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to those of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for the past year. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
2 Corinthians 11:2For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:20For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots,
Galatians 5:20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Philippians 3:6concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Hebrews 10:27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.
James 3:14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
James 3:16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.