חָבָא (cha.va)
cha.va
to hide
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 33 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chava means to withdraw or conceal oneself, appearing thirty-three times in the Old Testament. It is never used in the simple active form but instead relies on other grammatical patterns to describe hiding. These variations include concealing oneself out of fear, being forced into secrecy, or actively hiding an object or person.
A striking example occurs in Job 29:10, where the "voice of the princes hid itself." This usage describes leaders falling silent out of respect rather than physical concealment. In other contexts, such as Joshua 6:17, the word refers to the literal hiding of Jericho’s valuables under a curse.
The term often conveys a sense of vulnerability or secrecy. When Saul’s men search for David in 1 Samuel 23:23, they look for him where he is hidden, highlighting the tension between exposure and safety. Translators typically render this word as "hide" or "hid," capturing both physical concealment and the act of withdrawing from view.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about hiding in Scripture, it often starts with a heavy heart. Adam and Eve tried to conceal themselves from God after sinning, driven by fear and shame. This word captures that instinct to withdraw when we feel exposed or unworthy. It reminds us that our first reaction to failure is often to run, but the story of Genesis shows that hiding only deepens the distance between us and grace.
Yet this verb also appears in moments of profound protection. Obadiah hid prophets from death, and Joash remained safe in the temple for years. Here, hiding becomes an act of preservation, a way to survive until God’s timing is right. For you, this might mean that your current season of concealment is not abandonment. It can be a place of safety where you are kept until you are ready to step back into the light.
There is a gentle invitation here: you do not need to perform for God or hide your struggles. While we may feel the urge to conceal our vulnerabilities, God sees us fully. The hope of Scripture is that we can move from hiding in fear to resting in His presence, knowing we are known and loved exactly as we are.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 33 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they hid themselves3×
- she hid2×
- you will be hidden1×
- who/ had hidden themselves1×
- to/ hide yourself1×
- they will hide themselves1×
- they were hidden1×
- they have hidden themselves1×
- they had hidden themselves1×
- they become hard1×
- they are made to hide themselves1×
- they are hidden1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִתְחַבֵּ֖א2×
- תֵּחָבֵ֑א1×
- נַחְבֵּ֙אתָ֙1×
- נֶחְבָּא֙1×
- נֶחְבָּֽא\׃\ \ס1×
- נֶחְבָּ֖א1×
- נֶחְבָּ֑אוּ1×
- נֶחְבְּאוּ\־1×
- נֶחְבְּאִ֥ים1×
- מִתְחַבֵּ֣א1×
- מִֽתְחַבְּאִ֑ים1×
- לְ/הֵחָבֵֽא\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:10
The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
This verse establishes the word's primary emotional weight, linking the act of hiding directly to fear and the awareness of nakedness after sin.
-
I Kings 18:4
for when Jezebel cut off Yahweh’s prophets, Obadiah took one hundred prophets, and hid them fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
Here the verb describes a life-saving concealment, showing how hiding can be an act of faithful preservation against persecution.
-
II Kings 11:3
He was with her hidden in Yahweh’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
This occurrence highlights hiddenness as a period of divine protection, where Joash is kept safe in the temple until the right time for his reign.
-
I Samuel 19:2
Jonathan told David, saying, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Now therefore, please take care of yourself in the morning, live in a secret place, and hide yourself.
Jonathan advises David to hide himself, illustrating the practical reality of seeking safety from immediate danger while trusting God's plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word chava mean?
Why is chava always used in non-active forms?
How is chava different from other words for hiding?
Does hiding in Scripture always mean sin?
Every Occurrence (33 verses across 13 books)
Genesis 3 verses
They heard Yahweh God’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves…
Genesis 3:10The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
Genesis 31:27Why did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn’t tell me, that I might have sent you away with mirth and with…