חֲוָה (cha.vah)
cha.vah
to show
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chavah primarily means to make something visible or known, carrying the sense of showing, interpreting, or declaring. It is not merely about passive observation but involves an active revelation of meaning. In the Old Testament, this word appears twelve times, with a significant concentration in the book of Daniel.
Its usage often centers on the interpretation of hidden things, particularly dreams and visions. For instance, in Daniel 2:28, God is described as the one who reveals mysteries to King Nebuchadnezzar, using this verb to indicate that divine insight is made manifest to human understanding. The word bridges the gap between the unknown and the known, emphasizing clarity and disclosure.
The term highlights a theological point about divine sovereignty over knowledge. By attributing the act of showing or interpreting to God, the text underscores that true understanding comes from revelation rather than human effort alone. This focus on interpretation distinguishes it from general words for speaking, anchoring it in the specific context of explaining what is otherwise obscure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels like a puzzle with missing pieces, it is natural to look for answers in human wisdom or clever strategies. The Hebrew word chavah reminds us that true clarity often comes from beyond our own efforts. In the ancient court of Babylon, Daniel relied not on his own intellect but on God’s ability to reveal what was hidden. This verb describes an active showing, a divine disclosure that turns confusion into understanding.
For your daily walk, this means you do not have to figure everything out alone. When circumstances seem opaque or decisions feel heavy, there is peace in trusting that God can illuminate the path. He does not leave us in darkness but provides insight when we seek Him with humility. His revelation brings stability to our hearts and direction to our steps.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ declare4×
- we will declare2×
- you will declare to/ me1×
- you will declare1×
- he will declare/ it1×
- he will declare to/ me1×
- he will declare1×
- declare to/ me1×
- I will declare1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/הַֽחֲוָיָ֥ה2×
- תְּהַחֲוֻנַּֽ/נִי\׃1×
- תְּֽהַחֲוֹ֔ן1×
- נְחַוֵּֽא\׃1×
- נְהַחֲוֵֽה\׃1×
- לְ/הַחֲוָיָֽה\׃1×
- לְ/הַחֲוָיָ֑ה1×
- יְחַוִּנַּ֖/הּ1×
- יְחַוִּנַּ֔/נִי1×
- יְהַֽחֲוֵֽה\׃\ \פ1×
- הַחֲוֹֽ/נִי\׃1×
- אֲחַוֵּֽא\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:16
Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would appoint him a time, and he would show the king the interpretation.
Daniel’s request for time demonstrates a practical reliance on prayer and divine timing before attempting to show the interpretation.
-
Daniel 5:12
because an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”
This description of Daniel highlights that interpreting dark sentences is a gift linked to an excellent spirit found within him by God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chavah mean in the Bible?
Why is this word important for understanding Daniel?
How is chavah different from other words for speaking?
Every Occurrence (12 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 12 verses
Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and…
Daniel 2:6But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore…
Daniel 2:7They answered the second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”
Daniel 2:9But if you don’t make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt…
Daniel 2:10The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no…
Daniel 2:11It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose…
Daniel 2:16Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would appoint him a time, and he would show the king the interpretation.
Daniel 2:24Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said…
Daniel 2:27Daniel answered before the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded can’t be shown to the king by wise…
Daniel 5:7The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke and said to the…
Daniel 5:12because an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and…
Daniel 5:15Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to…