Lexical Summary chavah: To declare, show, make known Original Word: חָוָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance show A primitive root; (compare chava', chayah); properly, to live; by implication (intensively) to declare or show -- show. see HEBREW chava' see HEBREW chayah Brown-Driver-Briggs III. [חָוָה] verb only Pi`el (in poetry & late), tell, declare (Aramaic Pi`el Imperfect3masculine singular יְחַוֶּהֿ Psalm 19:3; 1singular אֲחַוֶּה Job 32:10,17; suffix אֲחַוְךָ Job 15:17, אֲחַוֶּךָּ Job 36:2; Infinitive construct חַוֹּת; — declare, make known, with accusative דָּ֑עַת Psalm 19:3 (subject לַיְלָה, followed by לְלַיְלָה; "" יַבִּיעַ אֹמֶר); with accusative דֵּעִי Job 32:10,17; with 2accusative וָאִירָא מֵחַוֹּת דֵּעִי אֶתְכֶם Job 32:6, followed by suffix person + object clause, וַאֲחַוֶּ֑דָּ כִּיעֿוֺד לֶאֱלוֺהַּ מִִלּים׃ Job 36:2 and I will shew thee that (there are) yet words for God; followed by suffix person only Job 15:17; — read probably also וַאֲחַוֶּה for וַאֲקַוֶּה Psalm 52:11 Hi Che and others Topical Lexicon General Scope and Nuanceחָוָה portrays the intentional act of making something known—an unveiling that moves truth from concealment to clarity. Whether voiced by a sage to friends or by the heavens to humanity, each usage highlights revelation that demands a response: humility, worship, or obedience. Concentration in the Book of Job 1. Job 15:17; 32:6, 10, 17; 36:2 In the extended dialogue, חָוָה marks pivotal moments when speakers break silence to impart insight. Together these instances underline a core Old-Testament conviction: authentic wisdom is never self-originated but stewarded and then disclosed for the benefit of hearers (cf. Proverbs 1:23). Creation’s Voice in Psalm 19:2 “Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Here חָוָה depicts the silent testimony of the cosmos. Without audible words, the skies yet “reveal” truths about the Creator’s power and order. The psalmist thereby equates natural revelation with a continual preaching ministry that leaves humanity without excuse (Romans 1:19-20). Theological Trajectory 1. Source of Revelation Whether from wise men or from the heavens, the ultimate content belongs to God. Speakers act as heralds, not originators, aligning with the prophetic pattern, “The word of the LORD came…” 2. Responsibility of the Hearer Job’s friends misuse revelation, twisting partial insight into accusation. Psalm 19 portrays creation’s untainted witness, calling every observer to reverence. Both scenes warn that revelation invites either faithful reception or culpable distortion. 3. Progressive Disclosure חָוָה anticipates the fuller unveiling found in the Incarnation: “I have made You known to them” (John 17:26). The verb’s Old-Testament function of ‘making known’ foreshadows the New-Testament theme of Christ as the definitive revealer of God (Hebrews 1:1-2). Historical and Literary Observations • In Job, each occurrence arises within polite yet urgent speech formulas—“Listen… I will declare”—reflecting Ancient Near Eastern court deliberations where respectful address precedes weighty counsel. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Preaching and Teaching Like Elihu, the minister waits for God-given occasion, then speaks with conviction grounded in Scripture. חָוָה reminds preachers that revelation is to be delivered, not hoarded. 2. Apologetics Psalm 19 encourages appeal to general revelation. Nature’s proclamation corroborates Scripture and offers common ground for evangelistic dialogue. 3. Discipleship Believers are called to move from hearing to sharing. The verb suggests an intentional, articulate relay of God’s wisdom in every sphere—family, congregation, culture. Related Old- and New-Testament Echoes • Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12—Messiah “declares” God’s name to the congregation, extending the pattern of revealed knowledge into redemptive history. Summary Across its six appearances, חָוָה threads a consistent theme: God grants truth that must be voiced. From the star-strewn heavens to the contested debates of Job, revelation presses outward, insisting on proclamation that stirs awe, correction, and ultimately worship. Forms and Transliterations אֲחַוְךָ֥ אֲחַוֶּ֖ה אחוה אחוך וַאֲחַוֶּ֑ךָּ ואחוך יְחַוֶּה־ יחוה־ מֵחַוֹּ֖ת מחות ’ă·ḥaw·ḵā ’ă·ḥaw·weh ’ăḥawḵā ’ăḥawweh achavCha achavVeh mê·ḥaw·wōṯ mechavVot mêḥawwōṯ vaachavVeka wa’ăḥawwekā wa·’ă·ḥaw·we·kā yə·ḥaw·weh- yechavveh yəḥawweh-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 15:17 HEB: אֲחַוְךָ֥ שְֽׁמַֽע־ לִ֑י NAS: I will tell you, listen KJV: I will shew thee, hear INT: will tell listen and what Job 32:6 Job 32:10 Job 32:17 Job 36:2 Psalm 19:2 6 Occurrences |
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