"pr. a generous rival, an imitator; in NT an aspirant, 1 Cor. 14:12; Tit. 2:14; a devoted adherent, a zealot, Acts 21:20; 22:3; Gal. 1:14"
Definition and meaning
pr. a generous rival, an imitator; in NT an aspirant, 1 Cor. 14:12; Tit. 2:14; a devoted adherent, a zealot, Acts 21:20; 22:3; Gal. 1:14
In the original Greek the word is written: ζηλωτής
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of zelotes (G2207) across the King James Bible.
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
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Common questions
Strong's G2207 (zelotes) is a Greek word that means: pr. a generous rival, an imitator; in NT an aspirant, 1 Cor. 14:12; Tit. 2:14; a devoted adherent, a zealot, Acts 21:20; 22:3; Gal. 1:14 It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word zelotes (G2207) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2207 is zelotes, a Greek word defined as: pr. a generous rival, an imitator; in NT an aspirant, 1 Cor. 14:12; Tit. 2:14; a devoted adherent, a zealot, Acts 21:20; 22:3; Gal. 1:14. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
zelotes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.