The meaning of “זָבַח”
Understanding zâbach reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. - to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, sla...
זָבַח
kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. - to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter for sacrifice 1a2) to slaughter for eating 1a3) to slaughter in divine judgment 1b) (Piel) to sacrifice, offer sacrifice
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 46:1 | “And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer–sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.” Word: זָבַח (zâbach) | |
| Deuteronomy 16:6 | “But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.” Word: זָבַח (zâbach) | |
| 2 Samuel 15:12 | “And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.” Word: זָבַח (zâbach) | |
| 2 Chronicles 28:4 | “He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.” Word: זָבַח (zâbach) | |
| Ecclesiastes 9:2 | “All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.” Word: זָבַח (zâbach) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Sacrifice
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Sacrifice, offering
The Hebrew zevach (זֶבַח) denotes a sacrifice or offering—an animal slaughtered for worship. Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, 'the Lamb of God' (John 1:29).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Sacrifice, offering
The Greek thusia (θυσία) means sacrifice or offering. Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice 'once for all' (Hebrews 10:10), ending the need for repeated animal sacrifices.