זִיז

From the study of Isaiah 66:11

Range of meaning

A disputed rare word. (1) "Abundance, fullness." This is the traditional reading (BDB), linked to a root meaning "move to and fro" and taken as abundance that flows. (2) "Teat, udder, nipple." This reading compares Akkadian zīzu, a word for teats, and many modern lexicons and commentators favour it. A separate word zîz means "creatures that move" in Ps 50:11 and 80:13(14).

Against the English

KJV, WEB, YLT and ESV have "abundance"; BSB has "glorious abundance"; NIV has "overflowing abundance." NASB has "bountiful bosom" and NRSV "glorious bosom," which follow the anatomical reading.

Used elsewhere in the period

It occurs only here in this sense. The Septuagint has "entrance" (eisodos), which shows its translators were unsure of the word. The Vulgate, Jerome's Latin translation, has "ab omnimoda gloria" ("from every kind of her glory").

From the study of Psalm 80:13

Range of meaning

Uncertain. Probably 'that which moves', meaning creatures, swarming or roaming things. It may come from a root meaning 'to move', and some lexicons compare an Akkadian word for a kind of insect (locust or cricket). It occurs only here and in Ps 50:11, both times in the phrase zîz śāday, 'the zîz of the field'.

Against the English

Versions split: 'creatures of the field' (BSB), 'wild beast' (KJV, YLT), 'wild animals' (WEB), 'all that move' (ESV, NASB), 'insects' (NIV). Each is a reasonable guess. None is certain.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint has monios agrios, 'a solitary wild beast', apparently thinking of a lone wild boar (old males often roam alone), which makes the second line repeat the first. The Vulgate follows with singularis ferus. In Ps 50:11 the phrase stands in parallel with 'birds of the mountains', which suggests 'wild creatures' in general.

From the study of Psalm 50:11

Range of meaning

Found only in the phrase ziz saday (here and in Psalm 80:13/14, where it describes animals ravaging God's vine). The usual explanation links it to a root meaning 'to move', giving 'moving things' or 'what roams'. HALOT also notes possible links to words for small creatures, which is why some translators choose 'insects' or 'swarming things'. It is a group word, not the name of one species.

Against the English

KJV and WEB have 'wild beasts' or 'wild animals'. ESV and NASB have 'all that moves' and 'everything that moves'. BSB has 'creatures'. NIV (2011) has 'insects'. Each one is a guess within a narrow range. 'Wild beasts' may suggest animals too large; 'insects' may be too specific.

Used elsewhere in the period

Psalm 80:13/14 (the only other use). The Septuagint read it differently, as hōraiotēs agrou, 'the beauty of the field', and the Latin Vulgate (Gallican Psalter) followed with pulchritudo agri. Later Jewish tradition turned the 'Ziz of the field' into a giant legendary bird, the partner of Leviathan and Behemoth (Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 73b; Leviticus Rabbah 22:10). The Aramaic Targum of Psalms also expands the verse with a huge wild bird. These are later readings and not what the psalm meant.