zume is leaven used as an image of a small influence spreading through a whole mass, for warning, ethical contrast, or kingdom comparison.

The term most often occurs in warnings about an influence associated with named groups, while other passages use the spreading action of leaven for ethical contrast or for a comparison to the kingdom of the heavens. Across these uses, the surrounding clauses stress what affects or permeates a whole lump.

1. Leaven linked with a warning · dominant

   In Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:11, and Mark 8:15, the genitive singular form occurs in commands to watch out from leaven associated with the Pharisees, Sadducees, or Herod. Matthew 16:12 contrasts leaven of bread with the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and Luke 12:1 identifies the leaven in its warning clause as the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

   Matthew 16:6Matthew 16:11Matthew 16:12Mark 8:15Luke 12:1
2. Leaven in ethical contrast and spread · common

   In 1 Corinthians 5:6 and Galatians 5:9, the nominative singular form stands in the statement that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 and 1 Corinthians 5:8, leaven is described as old and is set alongside malice and evil, while unleavened bread is associated with sincerity and truth.

   1 Corinthians 5:61 Corinthians 5:71 Corinthians 5:8Galatians 5:9
3. Leaven in a kingdom comparison · occasional

   In Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:21, the dative singular form occurs in a comparison involving a woman placing leaven into flour until the whole is leavened. The APB renders both clauses with the whole mass becoming leavened.

   Matthew 13:33Luke 13:21

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB consistently uses “leaven” in the supplied verses, including the clauses “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” and “the leaven of the Pharisees.” These renderings confirm the verse-level imagery and comparisons rather than supplying a separate lexical definition.