ז
Zayin
Weapon, to cut, nourish, Sabbath rest
Zayin (ז) is the seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and the number seven carries immense significance in Scripture — it represents completion, perfection, and divine rest. God completed creation in seven days, sanctifying the seventh as Shabbat. Zayin's ancient pictographic form was a weapon or cutting tool, which may seem at odds with rest, but the connection runs deep: the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) is what 'cuts' through deception to bring us into true rest. Zayin reminds us that spiritual rest often requires spiritual battle — we must actively fight to enter God's peace.
How to Pronounce Zayin
Zayin makes a 'Z' sound, like the Z in 'zebra' or 'zone.'
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”
Ancient Pictographic Form
The ancient pictographic Zayin resembled a weapon — possibly a sword, mattock, or agricultural cutting tool. It evolved through Phoenician into the Greek Zeta (Ζ) and the Latin Z.
Pictograph: A sword, weapon, or agricultural tool
Spiritual Significance
Zayin's connection to the number 7 makes it one of the most spiritually significant letters. Seven represents divine completion throughout Scripture: seven days of creation, seven feasts of Israel, seven churches in Revelation. The shape of Zayin — a crowned vertical line — is said to represent a scepter of authority, the crowned king who brings rest to his people.
Connection to Scripture
The number 7 (Zayin's value) appears over 700 times in the Bible. God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2), establishing the pattern of Shabbat. The word 'zachar' (to remember) begins with Zayin — 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy' (Exodus 20:8).
Words That Begin with Zayin
Zachar
To remember
Zayit
Olive
Zman
Time
Zera
Seed
Zahav
Gold
Modern Hebrew Usage
In modern Hebrew, Zayin appears in words like זְמַן (zman, time), זָכַר (zachar, to remember), זַיִת (zayit, olive), and זֶרַע (zera, seed). The word 'mazon' (מָזוֹן, food/sustenance) also contains Zayin.
People Also Ask
What is the significance of the number 7 in Hebrew?
The number 7 (represented by the letter Zayin) symbolizes divine completion and perfection in Hebrew thought. God rested on the seventh day, there are seven feasts of Israel, seven branches on the menorah, and seven is used extensively throughout Revelation. It represents the fullness of God's work.
What does the Hebrew letter Zayin look like?
Zayin (ז) looks like a vertical line with a small horizontal stroke or crown at the top. In its ancient pictographic form, it resembled a weapon or cutting tool. Some see its modern form as a crowned figure or scepter, symbolizing royal authority.
Fun Fact
The Hebrew word for 'olive' (zayit, זַיִת) begins with Zayin. Olive oil was used to anoint kings and priests, fuel the Temple menorah, and heal wounds — connecting Zayin's imagery of weapon/cutting with nourishment and light.
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