Original Word: זֶרֶת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: zereth
Pronunciation: zeh-reth
Phonetic Spelling: (zeh'-reth)
Definition: the spread of the fingers, a span
Meaning: The spread of the fingers; a span.

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to spread out.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for the Hebrew זֶרֶת in the Strong's Concordance, as the concept of a span as a unit of measurement is culturally specific to the Hebrew context. However, Greek terms related to measurement, such as πῆχυς (Strong's Greek 4083), which means "cubit," may be considered in broader discussions of biblical measurements.

Usage: The term זֶרֶת is used in the context of measurement, specifically referring to a span, which is the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended.

Context: The Hebrew word זֶרֶת (zeret) appears in the context of ancient measurements, particularly in the construction and description of sacred objects. A span, as indicated by זֶרֶת, is approximately half a cubit, or about 9 inches (22.86 cm). This measurement is used in the Bible to describe dimensions in a manner that would have been easily understood by the people of that time, as it relates to the human body.

In the Berean Standard Bible, the term is found in passages such as Exodus 28:16, where it describes the dimensions of the breastpiece of judgment: "It is to be square when folded over, a span long and a span wide." Similarly, in 1 Samuel 17:4, the height of Goliath is described using spans: "He was six cubits and a span tall."

The use of זֶרֶת underscores the practical and relatable nature of biblical measurements, grounding divine instructions in the tangible and familiar aspects of daily life. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's interaction with humanity in understandable and accessible ways.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a span
NASB Translation
span (7).

זֶ֫רֶת noun feminine span (Late Hebrew id. (ᵑ7 זַרְתָּא, Syriac ; apparently from Hebrew), etymology dubious; Thes and most derive from √ זרה, see Ol^{§ 146 b} but also Sta^{§ 187 a}; Ba^{ZMG 1887, 607} proposes √ זרה measure off, determine, compare p. 280) — span, as standard of measurement, תִּכֵּן ׳שָׁמַיִם בַּז Isaiah 40:12; elsewhere of actual size, a span, distance between ends of thumb and little finger of spread hand; = 1/2 cubit (see אַמָּה & references; compare Exodus 25:10 with Joseph^{Ant. iii. 6}, 5), ׳ז Exodus 28:16 (twice in verse); Exodus 39:9 (twice in verse) (all P) Ezekiel 43:13; זָ֑רֶת 1 Samuel 17:4 six cubits and a span. See Hultsch^{Metrol. 1882, 443} Benz^{Archäol. 179}.

span

From zarah; the spread of the fingers, i.e. A span -- span.

see HEBREW zarah

בַּזֶּ֣רֶת בזרת וְזֶ֥רֶת וָזָֽרֶת׃ וזרת וזרת׃ זֶ֣רֶת זֶ֥רֶת זֶ֧רֶת זרת baz·ze·reṯ bazZeret bazzereṯ vaZaret veZeret wā·zā·reṯ wāzāreṯ wə·ze·reṯ wəzereṯ ze·reṯ Zeret zereṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts