חֱזוּ (che.zev)
che.zev
vision
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chezev refers to a vision or an appearance, specifically one received in a prophetic context. It describes a supernatural sight granted to a seer, often involving divine revelation rather than mere human imagination. The term appears eight times in the Hebrew Bible, with a notable concentration in the book of Daniel, where it anchors the prophetic narratives.
In Daniel, chezev is frequently paired with other terms for prophecy or dreams to emphasize the clarity and authority of the message. For instance, Daniel 8:1 uses the phrase "vision of the appearance" (chezev mar'eh) to describe the opening scene where Daniel sees a ram and a goat. This usage highlights the visual nature of the revelation, grounding abstract theological truths in concrete imagery that the prophet can recount.
The word underscores the passive role of the prophet as a recipient of divine communication. Unlike human speculation, a chezev is something imposed upon the seer by God, demanding interpretation and faithful transmission. This distinction separates prophetic visions from ordinary dreams or hallucinations, marking them as authoritative words from the Divine.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we encounter the word chezev in Scripture, we are reminded that God often speaks through images and sights that bypass our ordinary reasoning. In Daniel 2:19, we see this clearly when a secret is revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. This moment highlights a profound truth: divine understanding is not always achieved through human effort or study alone. Sometimes, God grants clarity directly to those who seek Him.
These visions were not mere dreams or random thoughts. They carried authority and demanded interpretation. Daniel’s response was not fear, but praise. He blessed the God of heaven because he recognized that true wisdom comes from above. This encourages us to trust that when we feel confused by life’s complexities, God can still reveal what is hidden.
Even in Daniel 7:15, where the visions troubled his spirit, the prophet remained faithful. The weight of divine revelation was heavy, yet it anchored him in reality rather than leading him into fantasy. We too can find comfort in knowing that God’s messages are grounded in His character. He does not deceive. He reveals truth so that we may walk in it with confidence and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the] visions of3×
- in/ [the] visions of2×
- in/ vision/ the1×
- in/ vision/ my1×
- and/ appearance/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/חֶזְוֵ֥י3×
- בְּ/חֶזְוֵ֣י2×
- וְ/חֶזְוַ֖/הּ1×
- בְּ/חֶזְוָ֥/א1×
- בְּ/חֶזְוִ֖/י1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:19
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
This verse establishes chezev as a supernatural source of hidden knowledge, contrasting divine revelation with human inability to know the future.
-
Daniel 7:15
“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Here the word describes the emotional and spiritual weight of receiving difficult prophetic sights, showing that visions can be troubling yet true.
-
Daniel 7:2
Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea.
The phrase 'in my vision by night' links chezev directly to Daniel’s personal experience of seeing cosmic events unfold before his eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chezev mean in the Bible?
How is chezev different from a regular dream?
Why is this word important in the book of Daniel?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 8 verses
Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel 2:28but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the…
Daniel 7:1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he…
Daniel 7:2Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea.
Daniel 7:7“After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome, powerful, and exceedingly…
Daniel 7:13“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even…
Daniel 7:15“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Daniel 7:20and concerning the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even…