SPECIAL TOPIC: JEALOUSY, ZEAL (NOUN)
This NOUN (BDB 888, KB 1110) is imagery taken from a change of color
in a person's face experiencing deep emotion. This deep emotion can be positive or negative.
- positive
- it is used of YHWH's deep love for His people (i.e., bride of Hosea 1-3)
- it is used of the love for the Messiah (cf. Isa. 9:7; 59:17)
- it is used of YHWH's actions in battle for His covenant people (i.e., Divine Warrior, cf. 2 Kgs. 19:31;
Isa. 42:13; 59:17; 63:15; Zech. 1:14; 8:2)
- it is used of human's zeal for YHWH (cf. Num. 25:11; 2 Kgs. 10:16; Ps. 69:9, i.e., for His temple)
- negative
- YHWH against humans (cf. Deut. 29:20; Ps. 79:5; Isa. 26:11; Ezek. 5:13; 16:38,42; 23:25; 36:5-6; 38:19; Zeph. 1:18;3:8)
- of a jealous husband (cf. Num. 5:14,30; Prov. 6:34; 27:4)
- anger against enemies (cf. Job 5:2; Ps. 119:139; Ezek. 35:11)
- rivalry between covenant brothers (cf. Eccl. 4:4; 9:6)
The ADJECTIVE (BDB 888) is only used of YHWH (cf. Exod. 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15).
YHWH is not jealous of other gods/idols, but of His covenant people rejecting Him for
that which is false (cf. Jer. 2:13).
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