זָרַם

# H2229 זָרַם (za.ram): "To Flood" The Hebrew verb *za.ram* denotes the action of flooding or the surge of water in overwhelming force. Based on its lexical definition as "to flood," the word describes a dynamic, forceful movement of water rather than a static body of water. This is a specialized term within Hebrew's vocabulary for water-related phenomena, distinct from more general terms for water or wetness. The rarity of this word in biblical usage—occurring only twice in the entire Hebrew Bible—suggests it was reserved for specific contexts where the particular image of flooding was theologically or narratively significant. The limited attestation prevents detailed analysis of semantic variation or development, but the consistency of its definition across these occurrences indicates a stable, well-defined meaning. The word appears to function as a vivid verb that captures the specific phenomenon of water in aggressive motion, making it a precise choice when biblical authors intended to convey the destructive or overwhelming force of water rather than water in general terms.