zal.a.phah denotes burning heat or fierce burning, whether in a destructive setting or in indignation.

The attested use most often concerns intense, destructive heat in a famine setting and in the portion assigned to the wicked; one occurrence places the same burning force in the indignation that seizes the speaker.

1. Intense heat in destructive scenes · dominant

   In Lamentations 5:10, the plural construct form occurs in the clause about skin becoming warm like an oven before famine; the APB renders the clause "from before the scorching of famine." In Psalm 11:6, the plural absolute form stands in a judgment scene with snares, fire, and brimstone; the APB renders "a scorching wind" as part of the wicked's cup.

   Lamentations 5:10Psalm 11:6
2. Burning indignation · occasional

   In Psalm 119:53, the singular absolute form occurs in the clause saying that it has seized the speaker because wicked people forsake instruction. The APB renders the clause "Burning indignation has seized me."

   Psalm 119:53

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the occurrences as "scorching of famine," "Burning indignation," and "a scorching wind." These renderings confirm the verse contexts rather than establish exact English equivalents for each form.