Strong's Lexicon zachal: To crawl, to creep Original Word: זָחַל Word Origin: A primitive root Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent in the Strong's Concordance that matches the specific nuance of "zachal," the concept of crawling or creeping can be related to Greek words that describe lowly or humble movement, such as "ἕρπω" (herpō), which means to creep or crawl. Usage: The Hebrew verb "zachal" primarily means to crawl or to creep. It is often used to describe the movement of creatures that move close to the ground, such as reptiles or insects. The term conveys a sense of lowliness or humility, as the action of crawling is associated with being close to the earth. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the act of crawling or creeping was often associated with creatures considered unclean or lowly. This reflects a broader cultural view where certain animals, particularly those that moved along the ground, were seen as less desirable or even as symbols of sin and impurity. The imagery of crawling can also be found in various ancient Near Eastern texts, where it sometimes symbolizes submission or defeat. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [זָחַל] verb shrink back, crawl away (Aramaic זְחַל crawl (also drop, drip, of water: so Late Hebrew זָחַל), זָחֵיל worm; Syriac  locust (as crawling); Arabic  withdraw, retire to a distance (see Lane, Wetzst in DeHiob 2, 428), and Sabean זחֿל withdraw, humble oneself DHMZMG 1875, 610) — Qal only Participle plural construct זֹחֲלֵי Deuteronomy 32:24; Micah 7:17; — crawl, of reptiles (participle) זֹחֲלֵי עָפָר Deuteronomy 32:24 i.e. serpents (as poisonous), instruments of Yahweh's judgment on Israel; ארץ ׳ז Micah 7:17 id. (as crawling into the earth to hide), simile of nations in fear of ׳י. II. [זָחַל] verb fear, be afraid (Aramaic דְּחַל, Qal Perfect1singular זָחַלְתִּי Job 32:6 therefore I feared ("" וָאִירָא); > most, who derive from I. זָחַל = shrink away in fear, hold back (RV), compare ᵑ7 אִסְתְּמִּיתִי Fl ChWBii. 571. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be afraid, serpent, worm A primitive root; to crawl; by implication, to fear -- be afraid, serpent, worm. Forms and Transliterations זָחַ֥לְתִּי זֹחֲלֵ֥י זחלי זחלתי כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י כזחלי kə·zō·ḥă·lê kezochaLei kəzōḥălê zā·ḥal·tî zaChalti zāḥaltî zō·ḥă·lê zochaLei zōḥălêLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 32:24 HEB: עִם־ חֲמַ֖ת זֹחֲלֵ֥י עָפָֽר׃ NAS: upon them, With the venom of crawling things of the dust. KJV: upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. INT: With the venom of crawling of the dust Job 32:6 Micah 7:17 3 Occurrences |
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; compare Arabic 
rancour, malevolence; NöZMG. 1886, 741) — only 
