חַוָּה (chav.vah)
chav.vah
Eve
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Chavvah, rendered in English as Eve, appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the third chapter of Genesis. It is given to the first woman by her husband after they leave the Garden of Eden. He names her because she will become the mother of all living people, establishing her central role in the continuation of human life.
The meaning of the name connects directly to the Hebrew root for life or living. This etymology highlights her identity not just as an individual, but as the progenitor of humanity. The New Testament Greek translation uses Eua, preserving the same sound and sense, which links the Old and New Testaments through this foundational figure.
Her brief mention carries significant weight despite the low occurrence count. By naming her after the future she represents, the text emphasizes hope and continuity after the fall. She stands as the ancestor of all subsequent generations, anchoring the biblical narrative in the reality of human birth and survival.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Eve comes from a Hebrew root meaning 'life' or 'living'. In Genesis 3:20, Adam names her this way because she is to become the mother of all living people. This choice of name looks forward with hope, even after difficult events in the garden. It reminds us that life continues and brings new beginnings.
Her story shows how God’s plans for humanity persist through every generation. When Genesis 4:1 mentions her again, it highlights her role as Cain’s mother, connecting the first family to all who follow. This simple name carries a deep promise of continuity and care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Eve2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַוָּ֣ה1×
- חַוָּ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:20
The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living.
This verse establishes the meaning of her name by linking it directly to her role as the mother of all living people.
-
Genesis 4:1
The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.”
Here the text confirms her identity as Cain’s mother, showing the immediate continuation of life after the naming in chapter three.