מַחֲזֶה (ma.cha.zeh)
ma.cha.zeh
vision
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun maḥăzeh refers to a vision, specifically one experienced in an ecstatic or prophetic state. It appears in only three verses of Scripture, with two occurrences in Numbers and one in Genesis. The term emphasizes the visual nature of the revelation, pointing to what is seen rather than just heard.
In Numbers 12:6, God distinguishes Moses’ direct communication from other prophets by stating that He speaks to them "in visions" (maḥăzeh) and dreams. This usage highlights a mode of divine disclosure where the recipient perceives spiritual realities through sight. The word is derived from the root ḥazah, meaning "to see," which connects it to the broader category of prophetic experience.
While less common than other terms for prophecy, maḥăzeh carries significant weight in describing how God communicates with His servants. Its rarity underscores the special nature of the revelations associated with it. Translators typically render it as "vision," capturing the sensory and supernatural elements of these encounters.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word maḥăzeh describes a vision, a moment where God reveals spiritual realities through sight. It appears only three times in Scripture, linking Abraham’s comfort with Balaam’s prophetic encounters. This rarity highlights how special these moments of divine communication are.
When God spoke to Abram in Genesis 15:1, He used this vision to reassure him. The word reminds us that God often speaks directly to our hearts, offering peace when we feel afraid. These visions are not just images; they are personal encounters with the Almighty.
In Numbers, Balaam’s words show that even those outside Israel experienced these revelations. Seeing God’s vision means understanding His power and purpose. We can trust that God still speaks to us today, guiding our steps and strengthening our faith through His word.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the> vision of2×
- in the/ vision1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַחֲזֵ֤ה2×
- בַּֽ/מַּחֲזֶ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 15:1
After these things Yahweh’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
This verse shows the word used to describe God’s personal reassurance to Abram, linking the vision directly to divine comfort and promise.
-
Numbers 24:4
he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
Here the term emphasizes Balaam’s prophetic state where he falls down yet sees clearly, highlighting the supernatural nature of the revelation.
-
Numbers 24:16
he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
This occurrence parallels the previous verse but adds that the seer knows the knowledge of the Most High, connecting vision with divine wisdom.