שְׁוָה (she.vah)
she.vah
be like; be set
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Aramaic verb shewah appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the book of Daniel. In its Pa’el form, it means to become like or equal to something else. This usage occurs in Daniel 5:21, where Nebuchadnezzar’s pride is contrasted with his eventual humbling, as he learns that the Most High God sets men over kingdoms.
In the Hithpa’el stem, the word shifts to mean being set or made. This sense appears in Daniel 3:29, where King Darius issues a decree that anyone speaking against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut down. The verb underscores the authority established by the king’s command.
Though rare, shewah highlights themes of divine sovereignty and human limitation in Daniel. Its limited occurrence reflects the specific theological focus of the narrative: God’s control over earthly powers and the consequences of pride or obedience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shewah reminds us that true stability comes from recognizing who holds ultimate authority. In Daniel’s stories, we see kings and empires rise and fall, yet God remains the one who sets leaders in place or humbles them when pride takes over. This isn’t just ancient history; it’s a gentle invitation to trust that even when our circumstances feel out of control, God is still working behind the scenes.
When we face situations where we cannot change outcomes, this word offers peace. It teaches us that our worth isn’t tied to our power or status but to our relationship with the Creator. Whether you are in a season of strength or weakness, remember that God’s sovereignty is steady. You can rest in the knowledge that He is faithful, even when the world around you shifts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they made1×
- it will be made1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁוִּ֗יְו1×
- יִשְׁתַּוֵּ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:29
Therefore I make a decree that every people, nation, and language which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill, because there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.”
This verse shows the word used to describe how the king’s decree established a new reality for those who opposed God, highlighting divine authority over human commands.
-
Daniel 5:21
He was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will.
Here the word illustrates Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling, showing how God can strip away human pride to reveal His ultimate rule over all kingdoms.