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Bible Encyclopedias
Zuzim
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Heb. Only in the plur and with the art. haz-Zuzim', הִזּוּזַים , the Zuzites; Sept. translates ἔθνη ἰσχυρά, like Jerome in Quaest. Heb. "gentes fortes;" but the Vulg. has Zuzim; A.V. "the Zuzims"), the name of an ancient people, who, lying in the path of Chedorlaomer and his allies, were attacked and overthrown by them (Genesis 14:5 only). Of the etymology or signification of the name nothing is known. The Sept., Targum of Onkelos, and Samar version (perhaps reading or mistaking for
עֲזוּזים ) render it "strong people." ‘ The Arabic' version of Saadiah (in Walton's Polyglot) gives ed-Dahakin, by which it is uncertain whether a proper name or an appellative is intended. Others understand by it "the wanderers" (Le Clerc, from זוּז ) or "dwarfs" (Michaelis, Suppl. No. 606). Hardly more ascertainable is the situation which the Zuzim occupied. The progress of the invaders was from north to south. They first encountered the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim (near the Leja, in the north of the Hauran); next the Zuzim in Ham; and next the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim. The last-named place has not been identified, but was probably not far north of the Arnon. There is therefore some plausibility in the suggestion of Ewald (Gesch. 1, 308, note), provided it is etymologically correct, that Ham, הם is עם Am, i.e. Ammon; and thus that the Zuzim inhabited the country of the Ammonites, and were identical with the Zamzummwim (q.v.), who are known to have been exterminated and succeeded in. their land by the Ammonites. See Journal of Sacred Literature, Jan. 1852, p. 363. (See CANAANITE).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Zuzim'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/z/zuzim.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
