זָרָא

# זָרָא (zara): A Biblical Hapax Legomenon The Hebrew word זָרָא (zara) appears only once in the biblical text, making it a hapax legomenon—a word whose single occurrence limits our understanding of its precise usage and semantic range. Based on the lexicon data provided, it carries the definition "loathsome," indicating something that provokes disgust or repulsion. The singular occurrence means we cannot observe how the term might shift in meaning across different contexts or how ancient writers employed it with varying nuances. The rarity of this term presents a challenge for biblical analysis. Unlike frequently occurring words, which can be understood through multiple usages and contexts, זָרָא relies heavily on its lexical definition and the single verse in which it appears. Scholars must therefore depend on related linguistic roots and comparative Semitic evidence to fully illuminate its meaning—work that extends beyond the lexicon data itself. For readers encountering this word in their biblical study, recognizing it as a unique, single-use term is important for understanding that its contextual application in that one verse carries special weight.

AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.