The verb זָרַק is a vivid and active root in Biblical Hebrew, typically meaning “to throw,” “to scatter,” or more precisely in ritual contexts, “to sprinkle” (especially with blood or water). It appears frequently in Levitical laws involving sacrifices, where the act of sprinkling blood is part of the priestly ritual to achieve atonement or sanctification.
This verb primarily appears in the Qal stem, though it can occur in others like Piel and Niphal. The imagery of throwing or scattering plays a role not only in sacrificial ceremonies but also metaphorically in prophetic passages, evoking ideas of judgment, purification, and separation.
Qal Conjugation Tables
Past Tense (Perfect)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | זָרַקְתִּי |
| 1st person plural | זָרַקְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine singular | זָרַקְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | זָרַקְתְּ |
| 2nd person plural | זְרַקְתֶּם / זְרַקְתֶּן |
| 3rd person masculine singular | זָרַק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | זָרְקָה |
| 3rd person plural | זָרְקוּ |
Present Tense (Participle)
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | זֹרֵק |
| Feminine singular | זֹרֶקֶת |
| Masculine plural | זֹרְקִים |
| Feminine plural | זֹרְקוֹת |
Future Tense (Imperfect)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶזְרֹק |
| 1st person plural | נִזְרֹק |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּזְרֹק |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּזְרְקִי |
| 2nd person plural | תִּזְרְקוּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִזְרֹק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּזְרֹק |
| 3rd person plural | יִזְרְקוּ |
Imperative
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | זְרֹק |
| Feminine singular | זִרְקִי |
| Masculine plural | זִרְקוּ |
| Feminine plural | זֹרֵקוּ (rare/constructed) |
Example in the Hebrew Bible
וְשָׁחַ֛ט אֶת־בֶּ֥ן הַבָּקָ֖ר לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְ֠הִקְרִיבוּ בְּנֵ֨י אַהֲרֹ֤ן הַֽכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ אֶת־הַדָּ֔ם וְזָרְק֨וּ אֶת־הַדָּ֤ם עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙ סָבִ֔יב אֲשֶׁר־פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מֹועֵֽד׃ (Leviticus 1:5)
In this verse, the verb וְזָרְקוּ (“and they shall sprinkle”) appears in the Qal stem, 3rd person masculine plural. The blood of the sacrifice is sprinkled on the altar as part of the prescribed offering ritual, symbolizing purification and consecration before YHWH.
Summary
The verb זָרַק embodies action, ceremony, and symbolic transformation in the Hebrew Bible. Its use in Levitical rituals ties it closely to themes of holiness, atonement, and divine service. While most often encountered in the Qal stem, its derivatives in other binyanim emphasize intensification (Piel) or passive reception (Niphal). Understanding its conjugations and contexts enhances our grasp of ancient Israelite worship and the powerful imagery of purification embedded in the priestly tradition.
