Quick Definition
ζύμη, ης, ἡ n.f. leaven, ferment
Strong's Definition
probably from 2204; ferment (as if boiling up)
KJV Usage: leaven
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, f. | -ης
5.11 · Foods and Condiments · Food
yeast leaven employed in making bread rise In some languages yeast is described simply as ‘that which makes bread rise,’ but frequently yeast is described in terms of some characteristic or on the basis of its source, for example, ‘sour froth’ or ‘beer foam.’
88.237 · Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior · Hypocrisy, Pretense
hypocrisy, pretense (a figurative extension of meaning of ζύμη[a] ‘yeast,’ 5.11) hypocritical behavior, probably implying hidden attitudes and motivations In MAT 16:6 the ζύμη of the Pharisees and the Sadducees is equated with their teaching, but the context would indicate clearly that this was a type of hypocritical teaching, since the religious leaders said one thing but did something quite different.
In 1CO 5:6 1CO 5:7 there is an extended figurative reference to ζύμη. At first, ζύμη must be understood in the literal sense (as in Domain 5), yet ζύμη in verse 7 refers to wrong behavior. It is important, however, to try to preserve the continuity of the figurative reference, and for that reason the phrase παλαιὰ ζύμη is sometimes translated as ‘the old yeast of sin.’ It is difficult to know to what extent there may be a reference at this point to the hypocrisy which accompanies legalistic behavior.
MAT 16:6 · MAT 16:11 · MRK 8:15 · MRK 8:15 · LUK 12:1 · 1CO 5:7 · 1CO 5:8 · 1CO 5:8
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ζύμη, -ης, ἡ, (¢é [but cf. Curtius p. 626 sq.; Vanicek, p- 1607), /eaven: Mt. xiii. 33; Lk. xiii. 21, (Ex. xii. 15; Ley. ii. 11; Deut. xvi. 3, ete.; Aristot. gen. an. 3, 4; Joseph. antt. 3, 10, 6; Plut. mor. p. 289 sq. [quaest. Rom. 1097); τοῦ ἄρτου, Mt. xvi. 12; metaph. of inveterate mental and moral corruption, 1 Co. v. [7], 8, (Ignat. ad Magnes. 10); viewed in its tendency to infect others, ζύμη τῶν Φαρισαίων: Mt. xvi. 6,11; Mk. viii. 15; Lk. xii. 1, which fig. Mt. xvi. 12 explains of the teaching of the Phar., Lk. 1. 6. more correctly [definitely ?] of their hypocrisy. It is applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by its influence thoroughly pervades a thing: either in a good sense, as in the parable Mt. xiii. 33; Lk. xiii. 21, (see ζυμόω) ; or in a bad sense, of a pernicious influence, as in the proverb μικρὰ ζύμη ὅλον τὸ φύραμα ζυμοῖ a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, which is used variously, acc. to the various things to which it is applied, viz. a single sin corrupts a whole church, 1 Co. y. 6; a slight inclination to error (respecting the necessity of circumcision) easily perverts the whole coneeption of faith, Gal. v. 9; but many interpp. explain the passage ‘even a few false teachers lead the whole church into error.’
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ζύμη zymē 13x
leaven, yeast, Mt. 16:12; 13:33; met. leaven of the mind and conduct, by a system of doctrine or morals, used in a bad sense, Mt. 16:6, 11; 1 Cor. 5:6
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ζύμη, -ης, ἡ,
[in LXX for חָמֵץ, Ex 12:15 13:3 23:18 34:25, De 16:3; שְׂאֹר, Ex 12:15, 19 13:7, Le 2:11, De 16:4*;]
leaven: Mt 13:33, Lk 13:21; τ. ἄρτου, Mt 16:12. Metaph., of a moral influence or tendency, always, exc. in the Parable of the Leaven (Mt 13:33, Lk 13:21), for evil: I Co 5:6-8, Ga 5:9; ζ. τ. Φαρισαίων, Mt 16:6, 11, Mk 8:15, Lk 12:1 (Cremer, 723).†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ζύμη. In a proposal to lease 10} arourae οἵ catoecic land, P Tebt 11. 37527 (a.D. 140), a certain Ision amongst other conditions says—8]@ow σοι καθ᾽ ἔτος ζύμης ἠρτυμένης ἀρτάβης δίδυρον, “I will pay you annually ἃ artaba of prepared leaven” (Edd.): cf. 16. 401% (early i/a.p.). The word represents ζυσμᾶ or *fupa, cf. ζωμός, ‘ broth,” Lat. ius (Boisacq, p. 311).
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ζύμη (zumē) — leaven. ζύμ-η [ῡ], ἡ, leaven, [LXX+4th c.BC+]; beer-yeast, [Refs 2nd c.AD+], etc.: metaphorically, of corruption, falsehood, NT.Matt.16.6, etc. (ζῡ-μᾱ or ζῡσ-μᾱ, cf. Sanskrit yauti 'mix', Sanskrit yūs, Latin jūs 'soup', Lett. jaut 'stir dough', javs 'dough'.)