חָבָה (cha.vah)
cha.vah
to hide
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chavah means to withdraw or hide, often describing a deliberate movement into privacy or concealment. With only five occurrences in Scripture, it appears in contexts where individuals seek to remove themselves from public view or avoid detection. The Qal stem typically indicates the act of withdrawing, while the Niphal form emphasizes hiding oneself or remaining hidden from others.
This word carries a sense of intentional retreat rather than passive concealment. In Joshua 2:4, Rahab hides the spies under flax on her roof, using chavah to describe their physical concealment. Similarly, in Jeremiah and Isaiah, the term appears when people or nations attempt to obscure themselves from judgment or divine scrutiny. The sources highlight that this hiding is often an active effort to escape visibility or accountability.
The root conveys a tangible image of drawing back into shadow or shelter. Unlike words for secret sins, chavah focuses on the physical or social act of withdrawal. Translators render it as "hide" or "withdraw," capturing both the motion and the intent behind the action. Its rarity in Scripture suggests it marks specific moments where concealment plays a decisive role in the narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels overwhelming or danger seems imminent, the natural instinct is often to withdraw. The Hebrew word chavah captures this deliberate act of hiding, whether it is Rahab concealing spies on her roof or God’s people seeking shelter in their rooms during times of judgment. This verb speaks to a tangible need for safety and privacy, acknowledging that there are seasons when stepping back from the noise of the world is necessary for survival.
Yet Scripture also reminds us that total concealment is not always possible before God. In Jeremiah 49:10, we see that even the deepest hiding places cannot escape divine sight. This truth can be unsettling, but it ultimately points to a deeper reality: while we may seek refuge in physical shelters or social isolation, our true security rests in trusting the One who sees us completely. We do not need to hide from God’s care, only from His judgment if we are separated from Him.
For your faith journey, this word invites you to recognize when you need a moment of quiet retreat to rest and reflect. It also encourages honesty about where you place your trust. Whether you are seeking physical safety or spiritual peace, remember that God is present in both the open field and the hidden room. You are known fully, yet you are held securely.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ hide yourself1×
- to/ hide themselves1×
- hide1×
- and/ you will hide yourselves1×
- and/ it will hide itself1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/הֵחָבֵֽה\׃1×
- לְ/הֵחָבֵ֤ה1×
- חֲבִ֥י1×
- וְ/נַחְבֵּתֶ֨ם1×
- וְ/נֶחְבָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 2:16
She said to them, “Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers find you. Hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward, you may go your way.”
This verse shows chavah used for a practical, life-saving concealment where spies hide to avoid pursuers.
-
Isaiah 26:20
Come, my people, enter into your rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation is past.
Here the word describes believers entering rooms and shutting doors as a temporary refuge until God's anger passes.
-
Jeremiah 49:10
But I have made Esau bare, I have uncovered his secret places, and he will not be able to hide himself. His offspring is destroyed, with his brothers and his neighbors; and he is no more.
This occurrence highlights the futility of hiding from God, as He uncovers even the secret places of Esau.