שָׁוְא (shav)
shav
vanity: false
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shav describes something that is empty, false, or worthless. Its root sense points to a state of ruin or desolation, which extends into moral and spiritual categories. When applied to speech, it signifies a lie or deceitful report. When applied to actions or objects, it marks them as futile or deceptive, lacking any true value or substance.
This word carries significant weight in the prophetic and poetic books. It appears in the Ten Commandments’ warning against taking the Lord’s name in vain, linking the misuse of God’s name to falsehood (Exodus 20:7). The prophets use it to condemn idolatry and empty rituals, describing idols as "vanity" because they cannot save or act (Jeremiah 18:15; Ezekiel 13:6). In Psalms, it often contrasts human effort with divine help, noting that labor is in vain if the Lord does not build the house (Psalm 127:1).
Translators typically render shav as "vanity," "vain," or "falsehood." The term emphasizes the gap between appearance and reality. What seems substantial is actually hollow. This distinction helps readers see that biblical criticism of vanity is not just about pride, but about a fundamental lack of truth and reliability.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shav describes what is empty, false, or worthless. It points to a gap between appearance and reality. What looks substantial is actually hollow. This concept helps us see that biblical criticism of vanity is not just about pride. It is about a fundamental lack of truth and reliability.
In Exodus 20:7, we are warned against misusing God’s name. This links the misuse of His name to falsehood. The prophets use this word to condemn idolatry and empty rituals. Idols are called vanity because they cannot save or act. In Psalms 127:1, we learn that labor is in vain if the Lord does not build the house.
When you feel your efforts are fruitless, remember that true value comes from God. He gives sleep to His loved ones. You do not need to strive for empty things. Trust in the One who provides real substance and lasting peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- worthlessness8×
- falsehood8×
- for <the>/ vanity4×
- for <the>/ emptiness4×
- vanity3×
- to <the>/ falsehood3×
- in <the>/ worthlessness1×
- emptiness1×
- deceitfulness1×
- [is] futility1×
- <the>/ worthlessness1×
- <the>/ emptiness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁ֑וְא9×
- שָׁ֤וְא\׀3×
- שָׁ֖וְא3×
- לַ/שָּׁוְא֙3×
- לַ/שָּׁ֣וְא3×
- שָׁ֔וְא2×
- לַ/שָּׁ֑וְא2×
- שָֽׁוְא\׃\ \ס1×
- שָׁ֭וְא1×
- שָׁ֤וְא1×
- שָׁ֣וְא1×
- שָׁ֝֗וְא1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 20:7
“You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.
This verse links the misuse of God's name directly to falsehood, showing that using His name without respect is a form of shav.
-
Psalms 127:1
A Song of Ascents. By Solomon. Unless Yahweh builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
Here the word emphasizes that human labor is futile and empty if the Lord does not build the house.
-
Isaiah 1:13
Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I can’t stand evil assemblies.
The prophets use this term to describe religious rituals as worthless offerings when they are disconnected from true righteousness.
-
Job 15:31
Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his reward.
This occurrence warns that trusting in emptiness leads to a deceptive self-image and an empty reward.