7723. shav

Lexicon

shav: Vanity, emptiness, falsehood, worthlessness

Original Word: שָׁוְא
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shav'
Pronunciation: shahv
Phonetic Spelling: (shawv)
Definition: Vanity, emptiness, falsehood, worthlessness
Meaning: evil, idolatry, uselessness

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

falsely, lie, lying, vain, vanity

Or shav {shav}; from the same as show' in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain) -- false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.

see HEBREW show'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
emptiness, vanity
NASB Translation
deceit (2), deceitful (1), deception (1), emptiness (2), empty (1), false (9), false visions (4), falsehood (7), lies (1), vain (18), vanity (3), worthless (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

שָׁוְא noun [masculine] emptiness, vanity; — ׳שׁ absolute Exodus 23:1 51t., שָׁו Job 15:31 (Kt); —

1 emptiness, nothingness, vanity: תְּשׁוּעַת אָרָם ׳שׁ Psalm 60:13 vain (is) man's deliverance, = Psalm 108:13; לָכֶם ׳שׁ Psalm 127:2 it is vain (useless) for you; Psalm 89:48 for (עַל) what nothingness hast thou created man ? compare ׳יַרְחֵי שׁ Job 7:3; ׳הַבְלֵי שׁ Psalm 31:7 (idols) = Jonah 2:9, compare Jeremiah 18:15 + Hosea 5:11 ᵐ5 (for צָו); ׳מִנְחַת שׁ Isaiah 1:13 of ineffective offering to ׳י; ׳נשׂא לַשּׁ (לֹא) Exodus 20:7 (twice in verse) take up name of God in vain (to no good purpose) = Deuteronomy 5:11 (twice in verse), compare Psalm 24:4; Psalm 139:20 [ᵑ0 lifted up in vain are thy foes, but read שְׁמֶ֑ךָ for עָרֶיךָ, compare נשׂא 1b (

7); al. עָלֶיךָ, see II. עָר]; ׳היה שׁ Hosea 12:12 become nothing (We ׳עשׂה שׁ, and so

3); ׳ראה שׁ Psalm 119:37; adverb ׳לַשּׁ in vain Jeremiah 2:30; Jeremiah 4:30; Jeremiah 6:29; Jeremiah 46:11; ׳שׁ Psalm 127:1 (twice in verse); Malachi 3:14.

2 emptiness of speech, "" lying, ׳שׁ וּדְבַר כָּזָב Proverbs 30:8; ׳דבּר שׁ Psalm 12:3; Psalm 41:7; Psalm 144:8; Psalm 144:11; Isaiah 59:4; Ezekiel 13:8; ׳אָלוֺת שׁ Hosea 10:4 + Hosea 12:2 ᵐ5 We and others (for שֹׁד); ׳הָלַךְ עִםשֿׁ Job 31:5 ("" מִרְמָה); ׳עֵד שׁ Deuteronomy 5:17 (= עֵד שָֽׁקֶר Exodus 20:16); compare ׳שֵׁמַע שׁ Exodus 23:1 (E); of false (empty) prophecy ׳חֲזוֺן שׁ Ezekiel 12:24, ׳חָזוּ שׁ Lamentations 2:14; see also Ezekiel 13:6,7,9,23; Ezekiel 21:34; Ezekiel 22:28; Job 35:13 (or empty complaining, below 1); ׳קסם שׁ Ezekiel 21:28; חֲלֹמוֺת ׳הַשּׁ Zechariah 10:2.

3 of conduct, worthlessness (Buhl below

1, 2); ׳מְרתי שׁ worthless men Psalm 26:4; Job 11:11; worthless motives (in figurative) ׳חַבְלֵי הַשּׁ Isaiah 5:18; ׳נָפַת שׁ Isaiah 30:28 (i.e. sifting out the worthless; al. sieve of (bringing) disappointment); play on meanings in Job 15:31 (twice in verse), compare Dr^{Job, Psalt. 464}.

II. שׁוא (√ of following; probably "" form of שׁאה).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: From the root שָׁאָה (sha'ah), which conveys the idea of desolation or ruin.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G459 (ἀνομία, anomia): Lawlessness, iniquity.
• G824 (ἄσκοπος, askopos): Without aim, aimless.
• G2756 (κενός, kenos): Empty, vain.
• G3152 (ματαιότης, mataiotēs): Vanity, futility.
• G3153 (ματαιολογία, mataiologia): Vain talk, idle talk.
• G3154 (ματαιολόγος, mataiologos): Vain talker.
• G5571 (ψεῦδος, pseudos): Falsehood, lie.

These Greek terms reflect similar themes of emptiness, falsehood, and futility, paralleling the Hebrew concept of שָׁוְא in the New Testament context.

Usage: The word שָׁוְא (shav') appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, often in relation to falsehood, idolatry, and actions that are considered futile or deceitful. It is frequently used in the context of false oaths or worship, emphasizing the emptiness or worthlessness of such practices.

Context: • General Overview: The Hebrew term שָׁוְא (shav') is a multifaceted word that captures the essence of vanity and falsehood. It is often associated with actions or beliefs that are devoid of truth and substance. In the biblical context, שָׁוְא is used to describe the futility of idolatry and the emptiness of false worship. It underscores the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of engaging in practices that are not aligned with the truth of God's word.

• Biblical References:
• In the Ten Commandments, שָׁוְא is used in the context of taking the Lord's name in vain: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7, BSB). This highlights the seriousness of using God's name in a manner that is empty or deceitful.
• The prophets frequently use שָׁוְא to condemn idolatry and false prophets. For example, in Jeremiah 18:15, the prophet laments, "Yet My people have forgotten Me; they burn incense to worthless idols that made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths."
• In the Psalms, שָׁוְא is often used to describe deceitful speech or actions, as seen in Psalm 24:4: "He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully."

• Theological Implications: The use of שָׁוְא in the Hebrew Bible serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and falsehood. It calls believers to a life of integrity and truth, warning against the spiritual emptiness that comes from engaging in deceitful practices. The term underscores the importance of sincerity in worship and the pursuit of genuine faithfulness to God.

Forms and Transliterations

בַּשָּׁ֣יו בשיו הַשָּׁ֑וְא הַשָּׁ֣וא השוא וְ֝שָׁ֗וְא וא ושוא לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ לַשָּׁ֑וְא לַשָּׁ֖וְא לַשָּׁ֣וְא לַשָּׁוְא֙ לשוא לשוא׃ שָּׁ֝֗וְא שָֽׁוְא׃ שָׁ֑וְא שָׁ֔וְא שָׁ֖וְא שָׁ֚וְא שָׁ֝֗וְא שָׁ֣וְא שָׁ֤וְא שָׁ֤וְא ׀ שָׁ֭וְא שָׁוְא֙ שָׁוְא֮ שוא שוא׃ baš·šāw bashShav baššāw haš·šā·w haš·šāw hashShav haššāw laš·šāw lashShav laššāw šāw Shav v veShav w wə·šāw wəšāw

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 20:7
HEB: יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א
NAS: your God in vain, for the LORD
KJV: thy God in vain; for the LORD
INT: of the LORD your God vain for will not

Exodus 20:7
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ פ
NAS: takes His name in vain.
KJV: that taketh his name in vain.
INT: takes his name vain

Exodus 23:1
HEB: תִשָּׂ֖א שֵׁ֣מַע שָׁ֑וְא אַל־ תָּ֤שֶׁת
NAS: You shall not bear a FALSE report;
KJV: Thou shalt not raise a false report:
INT: bear report A false not join

Deuteronomy 5:11
HEB: יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א
NAS: your God in vain, for the LORD
KJV: thy God in vain: for the LORD
INT: of the LORD your God vain for will not

Deuteronomy 5:11
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ ס
NAS: takes His name in vain.
KJV: that taketh his name in vain.
INT: takes his name vain

Deuteronomy 5:20
HEB: בְרֵֽעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָֽׁוְא׃ ס
NAS: You shall not bear false witness
KJV: Neither shalt thou bear false witness
INT: your neighbor witness false.

Job 7:3
HEB: לִ֭י יַרְחֵי־ שָׁ֑וְא וְלֵיל֥וֹת עָ֝מָ֗ל
NAS: months of vanity, And nights
KJV: months of vanity, and wearisome
INT: allotted months of vanity and nights of trouble

Job 11:11
HEB: יָדַ֣ע מְתֵי־ שָׁ֑וְא וַיַּרְא־ אָ֝֗וֶן
NAS: For He knows false men, And He sees
KJV: him?For he knoweth vain men: he seeth
INT: knows men vain sees iniquity

Job 15:31
HEB: [בַּשֹּׁו כ] (בַּשָּׁ֣יו ק) נִתְעָ֑ה
NAS: Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving
KJV: in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.
INT: nay trust emptiness deceiving in

Job 15:31
HEB: נִתְעָ֑ה כִּי־ שָׁ֝֗וְא תִּהְיֶ֥ה תְמוּרָתֽוֹ׃
NAS: deceiving himself; For emptiness will be his reward.
KJV: trust in vanity: for vanity
INT: deceiving in emptiness become will be his reward

Job 31:5
HEB: הָלַ֥כְתִּי עִם־ שָׁ֑וְא וַתַּ֖חַשׁ עַל־
NAS: I have walked with falsehood, And my foot
KJV: If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot
INT: have walked with falsehood has hastened after

Job 35:13
HEB: אַךְ־ שָׁ֭וְא לֹא־ יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀
NAS: will not listen to an empty [cry], Nor
KJV: will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty
INT: Surely to an empty Nor listen

Psalm 12:2
HEB: שָׁ֤וְא ׀ יְֽדַבְּרוּ֮ אִ֤ישׁ
NAS: They speak falsehood to one another;
KJV: They speak vanity every one
INT: falsehood speak to one

Psalm 24:4
HEB: לֹא־ נָשָׂ֣א לַשָּׁ֣וְא נַפְשִׁ֑י וְלֹ֖א
NAS: up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn
KJV: his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
INT: has not lifted to falsehood his soul not

Psalm 26:4
HEB: עִם־ מְתֵי־ שָׁ֑וְא וְעִ֥ם נַ֝עֲלָמִ֗ים
NAS: I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor
KJV: I have not sat with vain persons,
INT: with men deceitful with pretenders

Psalm 31:6
HEB: הַשֹּׁמְרִ֥ים הַבְלֵי־ שָׁ֑וְא וַ֝אֲנִ֗י אֶל־
NAS: those who regard vain idols,
KJV: them that regard lying vanities:
INT: regard idols vain I in

Psalm 41:6
HEB: בָּ֤א לִרְא֨וֹת ׀ שָׁ֤וְא יְדַבֵּ֗ר לִבּ֗וֹ
NAS: [me], he speaks falsehood; His heart
KJV: [me], he speaketh vanity: his heart
INT: comes to see falsehood speaks his heart

Psalm 60:11
HEB: עֶזְרָ֣ת מִצָּ֑ר וְ֝שָׁ֗וְא תְּשׁוּעַ֥ת אָדָם׃
NAS: For deliverance by man is in vain.
KJV: from trouble: for vain [is] the help
INT: help the adversary vain deliverance man

Psalm 89:47
HEB: עַל־ מַה־ שָּׁ֝֗וְא בָּרָ֥אתָ כָל־
NAS: is; For what vanity You have created
KJV: all men in vain?
INT: is For what vanity have created all

Psalm 108:12
HEB: עֶזְרָ֣ת מִצָּ֑ר וְ֝שָׁ֗וְא תְּשׁוּעַ֥ת אָדָֽם׃
NAS: For deliverance by man is in vain.
KJV: from trouble: for vain [is] the help
INT: help the adversary vain deliverance man

Psalm 119:37
HEB: עֵ֭ינַי מֵרְא֣וֹת שָׁ֑וְא בִּדְרָכֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
NAS: from looking at vanity, And revive
KJV: from beholding vanity; [and] quicken
INT: my eyes looking vanity your ways and revive

Psalm 127:1
HEB: יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא ׀ עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו
NAS: They labor in vain who build
KJV: they labour in vain that build
INT: builds the house vain labor build

Psalm 127:1
HEB: יִשְׁמָר־ עִ֝֗יר שָׁ֤וְא ׀ שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר׃
NAS: The watchman keeps awake in vain.
KJV: the watchman waketh [but] in vain.
INT: guards the city vain keeps the watchman

Psalm 127:2
HEB: שָׁ֤וְא לָכֶ֨ם ׀ מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵי
NAS: It is vain for you to rise up early,
KJV: [It is] vain for you to rise up early,
INT: is vain early to rise

Psalm 139:20
HEB: לִמְזִמָּ֑ה נָשֻׂ֖א לַשָּׁ֣וְא עָרֶֽיךָ׃
NAS: take [Your name] in vain.
KJV: take [thy name] in vain.
INT: wickedly take vain and your enemies

52 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7723
52 Occurrences

baš·šāw — 1 Occ.
haš·šāw — 2 Occ.
laš·šāw — 11 Occ.
šāw — 32 Occ.
w — 4 Occ.
wə·šāw — 2 Occ.