Lexical Summary chava: To show, declare, make known Original Word: חֲוָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance show (Aramaic) corresponding to chavah; to show -- shew. see HEBREW chavah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee chavah. Brown-Driver-Briggs [חֲוָה] verb Pa. Haph`el (M§ 65 c) declare (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew III. [חָוָה] (late)); — Pa`el with accusative מִּשְׁרָא (or equivalent ): Imperfect3masculine singular suffix יְחַוִּנַּ֫נִי (suffix person Indirect object) Daniel 5:7, יְּחֵוִנֵּהּ Daniel 2:11 (קֳדָּם person); 1 singular אֲחַוֶה Daniel 2:24 (ל of person), 1 plural אְחַוֶּה Daniel 2:4. Haph`el usually with accusative פִשְׁרָא (or equivalent ): Imperfect3masculine singular יְהַחֲוֶה Daniel 5:12; 2masculine plural תְּהַחֲוֺן Daniel 2:6, suffix (of indirect object) תְחַחֲוֻ֫נַּנִי Daniel 2:9; 1plural נְהַחֲוֶה Daniel 2:7; Imperative masculine plural suffix (of indirect object) הַחֲוֺ֑נִי Daniel 2:6; Infinitive לְהַחֲוָיָה Daniel 2:10; Daniel 5:15; + ל person Daniel 2:16. Daniel 2:27; with accusative of signs and wonders Daniel 3:32. Topical Lexicon Meaning in Context In every appearance of חֲוָא the narrative centers on disclosure: hidden dreams, mysterious writings, and the interpretation of both. The verb always answers the question, “Who can make this known?” and the consistent reply is that only the God of heaven grants such insight. Thus the word functions less as a neutral term for “telling” and more as a theological signal that revelation is a divine prerogative. Occurrence Pattern in Daniel 1. Daniel 2:4, 6-7, 9-11, 16, 24, 27 – The Babylonian wise men first claim they can “show” the dream, then confess their inability. Daniel, by contrast, approaches the king with confidence that “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” The concentration in chapters 2, 4, and 5 frames the entire historical section of the book: Babylon’s might is repeatedly humbled by the One who discloses what no earthly kingdom can uncover. Theological Themes Revelation versus Human Limitation Daniel 2:10: “No one on earth can do what the king requests; no king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.” The immediate context exalts God’s omniscience over human wisdom. Divine Sovereignty in World Events When Daniel “shows” the dream and its meaning, he simultaneously unveils God’s control of future empires. Revelation is inseparable from providence. Public Testimony Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation in Daniel 4:2 demonstrates that revealed truth is meant to be broadcast: “It is my pleasure to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.” חֲוָא thus moves from private insight to public witness. Historical Setting The Babylonian and early Medo-Persian courts prized omens, dreams, and inscriptions. Competence in dream-reading was politically valuable, yet when true revelation was required, Babylon’s professionals failed. The Jewish exile Daniel becomes the court’s indispensable counselor, fulfilling Israel’s vocation to be a light among the nations even in captivity. Intertextual Echoes Genesis 41 mirrors the pattern as Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, underscoring a long biblical motif: God grants His servants knowledge that pagans cannot access. Amos 3:7 affirms, “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” In the New Testament Paul applies the same principle to the Gospel: “God has revealed it to us by the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:10). Ministry Implications 1. Dependence on God for Spiritual Insight Pastoral teaching, prophetic ministry, and evangelism rely on divine revelation, not ingenuity. Prayer precedes proclamation, just as Daniel and his friends sought mercies “from the God of heaven concerning this mystery” (Daniel 2:18). 2. Boldness in Public Witness Once God makes truth known, His servants are to declare it without reserve. Daniel spoke before monarchs; believers today speak before cultures equally confident in their own wisdom. 3. Integrity and Humility Daniel consistently deflects credit: “This mystery has not been revealed to me because I have greater wisdom than other men” (Daniel 2:30). Genuine revelation produces humility, not self-exaltation. Practical Application Believers reading Daniel’s narrative are invited to trust that God still discloses His purposes through Scripture and by His Spirit. In moments of confusion—whether personal, ecclesial, or societal—the proper response echoes Daniel’s: seek the face of God, receive His Word, and then unashamedly חֲוָא—make it known. Forms and Transliterations אֲחַוֵּֽא׃ אחוא׃ הַחֲוֹֽנִי׃ החוני׃ יְהַֽחֲוֵֽה׃ יְחַוִּנַּ֔נִי יְחַוִּנַּ֖הּ יהחוה׃ יחונה יחונני לְהַֽחֲוָיָ֥ה לְהַחֲוָיָ֑ה לְהַחֲוָיָֽה׃ להחויה להחויה׃ נְהַחֲוֵֽה׃ נְחַוֵּֽא׃ נהחוה׃ נחוא׃ תְּֽהַחֲוֹ֔ן תְּהַחֲוֻנַּֽנִי׃ תהחון תהחונני׃ ’ă·ḥaw·wê ’ăḥawwê achavVe ha·ḥă·wō·nî hachaVoni haḥăwōnî lə·ha·ḥă·wā·yāh lehachavaYah ləhaḥăwāyāh nə·ha·ḥă·wêh nə·ḥaw·wê nechavVe nehachaVeh nəhaḥăwêh nəḥawwê tə·ha·ḥă·wōn tə·ha·ḥă·wun·na·nî tehachaVon tehachavunNani təhaḥăwōn təhaḥăwunnanî yə·ha·ḥă·wêh yə·ḥaw·win·na·nî yə·ḥaw·win·nah yechavvinNah yechavvinNani yeHachaVeh yəhaḥăwêh yəḥawwinnah yəḥawwinnanîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:4 HEB: ק) וּפִשְׁרָ֥א נְחַוֵּֽא׃ KJV: the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. INT: servant the interpretation will shew Daniel 2:6 Daniel 2:6 Daniel 2:7 Daniel 2:9 Daniel 2:10 Daniel 2:11 Daniel 2:16 Daniel 2:24 Daniel 2:27 Daniel 4:2 Daniel 5:7 Daniel 5:12 Daniel 5:15 14 Occurrences |
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