Lexical Summary zu: This, that Original Word: זוּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that, this, wherein, which, whom For zeh; this or that -- that, this, X wherein, which, whom. see HEBREW zeh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zoh Definition this, which, who NASB Translation this (2), where (1), which (5), who (1), whom (4), whose (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs זוּ pronoun (poetry), indeclinable. 1 a demonstrative Habakkuk 1:11 זוּ כֹחוֺ this his strength, Psalm 12:8 מִןהַֿדּוֺר זוּ (unusual, for הַזֶּה), Psalm 62:12 שְׁתַּיִםזֿוּ שָׁמַעָתִּי these two things &c. (but: better (WickesPost. Acc. 64) שְׁ֖תַּיִם ז֣וּ two things (are there) which &c.: see 2). 2 a relative, Exodus 15:13 עַםזֿוּ גָאָ֑לְתָּ the people which thou hast redeemed, Exodus 15:16; Isaiah 42:24 זוּ חָטָאנוּ לוֺ against whom we sinned, Isaiah 43:21; Psalm 9:16 (feminine) רֶשֶׁתשֿזוּ ָפמנוּ so Psalm 31:5; Psalm 10:2; Psalm 17:9 (with a plural antecedent) מִמְּנֵי רְשָׁעִים זוּ שַׁדּוּנִי, Psalm 32:8; Psalm 68:29 (thou) who hast wrought for us ! Psalm 142:4; Psalm 143:8. To most of these paasages the remark made under זה 5 respecting the intention of the punctuators also applies: compare De on Psalm 9:16. (compare זהב (√ of following; meaning dubious; compare LagBN 55 Anm). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 2098 (זוּ) appears fifteen times across the Old Testament. Each context employs the demonstrative nuance to point the reader toward a specific person, act, or truth that the inspired writer wishes to highlight. Though the form is brief, its employment is weighty, serving to focus attention on God’s saving work, His intimate guidance, His people’s praise, and His unfailing justice. Literary function 1. Heightened emphasis – By isolating a subject (“this”), the writer urges the audience to pause and consider. Theology of salvation and covenant faithfulness Exodus 15:13 employs the word in the Song of the Sea, anchoring Israel’s first corporate hymn: “In Your loving devotion You will lead the people You have redeemed; in Your strength You will guide them to the dwelling of Your holiness.” The demonstrative highlights “‘the people You have redeemed,’” pointing to the newly forged covenant identity. By setting apart the redeemed as “this people,” the verse underscores particular grace—Yahweh owns those He saves. Divine dread upon Israel’s enemies In Exodus 15:16 the word again sharpens the focus: “Terror and dread will fall upon them; by the greatness of Your arm they will be still as a stone—until Your people pass by, LORD, until the people You bought pass by.” The demonstrative separates Israel from her foes, marking a prophetic guarantee that no opposition can stand against “this people.” Refuge and deliverance in personal lament Several Davidic psalms use זוּ to single out either the psalmist or his adversaries: Such usages give believers vocabulary to delineate their trials before God while expecting precise intervention. Instruction and guidance Psalm 32:8: “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.” The demonstrative singles out “the way,” conveying God’s personal, detailed direction. Ministry application: disciples may claim this promise of intimate guidance. Assurance of strength Psalm 62:11: “God has spoken once; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God.” Here the term seals the core confession—divine omnipotence—inviting unwavering trust. Corporate worship and mission Isaiah 43:21 presents a mission statement rooted in election: “The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” By isolating the worshiping community (“this people”), the prophet links identity with purpose: to praise. Church worship mirrors Israel’s calling, proclaiming God’s glory to the nations. Prophetic warning Habakkuk 1:11 pictures the Chaldean invader: “Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on; they are guilty—men whose own strength is their god.” The demonstrative singles out their self-exalting confidence, exposing idolatry. The warning remains timeless: any nation deifying power will incur judgment. Pastoral and devotional significance • Precision in prayer – Recognizing Scripture’s deliberate “this” encourages believers to name their circumstances specifically before the Lord. Key references for study and teaching Psalm 31:4; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 62:11 Psalm 68:28 – emphasizes God’s summons: “Summon Your power, O God; show Your strength, O God, You who have worked for us.” Psalm 143:8 – directs morning devotion: “Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.” These instances reveal how even a single demonstrative word, breathed by the Spirit, magnifies God’s acts, clarifies His promises, and equips believers for faithful worship and witness. Forms and Transliterations ז֚וּ ז֝֗וּ ז֣וּ ז֥וּ ז֭וּ זו זוּ֙ zu zūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 15:13 HEB: בְחַסְדְּךָ֖ עַם־ ז֣וּ גָּאָ֑לְתָּ נֵהַ֥לְתָּ NAS: the people whom You have redeemed; KJV: the people [which] thou hast redeemed: INT: your lovingkindness the people whom have redeemed have guided Exodus 15:16 Psalm 9:15 Psalm 10:2 Psalm 12:7 Psalm 17:9 Psalm 31:4 Psalm 32:8 Psalm 62:11 Psalm 68:28 Psalm 142:3 Psalm 143:8 Isaiah 42:24 Isaiah 43:21 Habakkuk 1:11 15 Occurrences |
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, used as an indeclinable relative pronoun = 
in the Tayyite dialect: thus 
there has come upon them that which has come: 
it is we who have done this. See SchuHariri Cons. ii. 75, Thes406, WAG. i. 347, e, Lanep. 986, FlKl. Schr. i. p. 359.)