a primitive root (compare חָזָה); to dream; sleep.
Transliteration:hâzâh
Pronunciation:haw-zaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H1957}}` (הָזָה, *hâzâh*) is identified as a primitive root, carrying the core meanings "to dream" and "to sleep." Its etymological note to "compare `{{H2372}}` (חָזָה, *châzâh*)" is crucial for understanding its semantic range. While `{{H2372}}` broadly signifies "to see, behold, gaze, perceive, or have a vision," `{{H1957}}` appears to narrow this concept to the specific form of "seeing" that occurs during sleep or in a dream state. It implies a passive, involuntary perception, distinct from the more active or intentional beholding often associated with `{{H2372}}`. Thus, `{{H1957}}` encapsulates the state of being asleep and the concomitant experience of dreaming, where the mind perceives images or narratives not of waking reality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
It is noteworthy that the verb `{{H1957}}` (הָזָה, *hâzâh*) does not appear in its verbal form anywhere in the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament. Its inclusion as a "primitive root" in lexicons suggests it is either a theoretical root from which other words may have derived, or an extremely archaic form that did not survive as an active verb in the extant Hebrew scriptures. Despite its absence, its conceptual meaning is inferred from its definition and its strong comparison to `{{H2372}}` (חָזָה, *châzâh*), which is widely attested in contexts of seeing, beholding, and prophetic visions.
The semantic field associated with `{{H1957}}` is, however, richly present in the Bible through related terms. For instance, the noun `{{H2472}}` (חֲלוֹם, *ḥālôm*), meaning "dream," and the verb `{{H2492}}` (חָלַם, *ḥālam*), "to dream," are common. Similarly, `{{H2384}}` (חֶזְיוֹן, *ḥezyôn*), meaning "vision," often appears in contexts of night visions or divine revelations. An illustrative passage that demonstrates this semantic environment, even without `{{H1957}}` itself, is [[Job 20:8]]: "He flies away like a dream, and they cannot find him; he is chased away like a vision of the night." Here, the parallelism between "dream" (`{{H2472}}`) and "vision of the night" (`{{H2384}}`) highlights the ephemeral and often elusive nature of perceptions experienced during sleep, which aligns perfectly with the implied meaning of `{{H1957}}`.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary word related to `{{H1957}}` is `{{H2372}}` (חָזָה, *châzâh*), "to see, behold, gaze, perceive, have a vision." The distinction lies in the state of perception: `{{H1957}}` implies seeing in a state of sleep or dreaming, while `{{H2372}}` encompasses both ordinary waking sight and prophetic visions.
Other closely related terms include:
* `{{H2472}}` (חֲלוֹם, *ḥālôm*): The common noun for "dream."
* `{{H2492}}` (חָלַם, *ḥālam*): The verb "to dream," often used when recounting dreams in biblical narratives (e.g., Joseph, Pharaoh).
* `{{H2384}}` (חֶזְיוֹן, *ḥezyôn*): "Vision," a noun often used for prophetic or divine encounters that occur during the night or in a trance-like state.
* `{{H7291}}` (רָאָה, *rā’â*): A more general verb for "to see," but can also include visions.
The concepts associated with `{{H1957}}` therefore extend to sleep, unconscious perception, divine communication through dreams and visions, and the often transient or symbolic nature of such experiences.
### Theological Significance
Despite its non-occurrence as an active verb, the conceptual meaning of `{{H1957}}` holds significant theological weight within the biblical framework. The act of dreaming and the state of sleep are frequently portrayed as legitimate, albeit often indirect, avenues for divine communication. God spoke to individuals through dreams (e.g., Joseph in [[Genesis 37:5-10]], Solomon in [[1 Kings 3:5-15]], Pharaoh in [[Genesis 41:1-7]], Daniel in [[Daniel 7:1-2]]). This suggests that even in a state of rest and reduced conscious control, the human spirit can remain receptive to divine revelation.
The implicit distinction between the passive "dream-seeing" of `{{H1957}}` and the more active "prophetic vision" of `{{H2372}}` underscores the diverse ways in which God interacts with humanity. Dreams often required interpretation (e.g., Joseph, Daniel), indicating their symbolic or veiled nature, whereas direct visions could be clearer and more immediate. The vulnerability and receptivity inherent in the sleeping state make it a profound context for God's initiative in revealing His will or foretelling future events. The ephemeral quality of dreams, as noted in [[Job 20:8]], also serves as a theological reminder of the transient nature of human experience compared to the enduring truth of God's revealed word.
### Summary
`{{H1957}}` (הָזָה, *hâzâh*) is a primitive Hebrew root meaning "to dream" or "to sleep," conceptually linked to a specific type of "seeing" that occurs in an unconscious state. Although it does not appear as a verb in the Masoretic Text, its definition and comparison to `{{H2372}}` (חָזָה, *châzâh*, "to see, have a vision") are crucial for understanding the semantic field of dreams and visions in the Old Testament. It relates closely to terms like `{{H2472}}` (dream) and `{{H2492}}` (to dream). Theologically, `{{H1957}}` points to the biblical understanding of dreams as a significant, albeit often indirect, mode of divine communication, highlighting God's ability to speak to humanity even in their subconscious state of rest.
TRV