קַשָּׁב (qash.shav)
qash.shav
attentive
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective qash.shav describes a posture of being attentive or heedful. It appears in five biblical verses, primarily within the books of Nehemiah, II Chronicles, and Psalms. The term conveys a sense of listening with care, suggesting that the hearer is not merely hearing sounds but is actively engaged and responsive to what is being communicated.
This word is closely related to qash.shuv (H7183B), with lexical sources treating them as variant spellings or close cognates. In its occurrences, it often modifies those who listen to the Law or to divine instruction. For instance, in Nehemiah 8:3 and 8:7, the people are described as attentive while Ezra reads from the book of the Law before the water gate. Similarly, II Chronicles 6:2 uses it to describe Solomon’s heart being attentive when he prays.
The root idea connects to hardness or firmness in a metaphorical sense, implying a steadfast attention that does not wander. Translators typically render it as "attentive" or "hearkening," capturing the active nature of the listening. This usage highlights a key biblical theme: true understanding requires a deliberate and fixed focus on God’s word, rather than passive reception.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read that God’s ears are attentive, it is easy to think this simply describes His ability to hear noise. The Hebrew word here suggests something deeper: a firm, fixed focus. It implies that the listener is not distracted by the surrounding chaos but is fully engaged with what is being said. This steadiness mirrors how we are called to approach God—without wandering thoughts or half-hearted prayers.
In Nehemiah, the people stood as one person, their attention fixed on the reading of the Law. They did not just hear words; they received instruction that shaped their community. Similarly, Solomon’s prayer in the temple asks for a divine attentiveness that matches human reverence. This word reminds us that true listening is an act of will and love.
You do not need perfect eloquence to be heard by God. You only need a heart willing to stay present with Him. Whether you are confessing sin or offering thanks, your attention signals that you value the One who speaks. Let this steadiness guide your quiet times, knowing that He is already leaning in to hear you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- attentive5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת3×
- קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת1×
- קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 1:6
let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.
This verse highlights the posture of confession, where attentiveness is paired with humility before God’s covenant faithfulness.
-
II Chronicles 6:40
“Now, my God, let, I beg you, your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
Solomon uses this term to ask that God’s focus remains fixed on the temple prayers, linking physical location with spiritual priority.
-
Psalms 130:2
Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions.
The psalmist connects divine attentiveness directly to the reception of petitions, showing that hearing is the first step toward forgiveness.