English · KJV
H2324

חֲוָא

chăvâʼ /khav-aw'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to חָוָה
Meaningto show
KJV usageshew.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chăvâʼ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word chăvâʼ, represented by H2324, means to show or shew. It appears 14 times across 13 unique verses, exclusively within the book of Daniel. Its use is highly specific, centering on the act of revealing hidden knowledge, such as the interpretation of dreams, visions, and mysterious writings presented to the kings of Babylon.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H2324 is consistently used in contexts of high stakes and divine revelation. The kings of Babylon repeatedly demand that their wise men, astrologers, and Chaldeans shew them the meaning of supernatural events (Daniel 2:4, Daniel 5:7). Their inability to do so is a recurring theme, highlighting their limitations (Daniel 2:11, Daniel 2:27, Daniel 5:15). In contrast, Daniel, empowered by God, is the one who can successfully shew the king the interpretation (Daniel 2:16, Daniel 2:24, Daniel 5:12). The word is also used by the king himself to proclaim and shew the signs and wonders God performed Daniel 4:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words clarify the context of revealing and interpreting:

  • H263 ʼachăvâh (showing): This noun form describes the "shewing of hard sentences" as one of the special abilities found in Daniel Daniel 5:12.
  • H3046 yᵉdaʻ (to know, make known): To shew an interpretation is to make it known. A king's trust that his wise men can shew the interpretation is based on whether he first knows they have the correct information (Daniel 2:9, Daniel 5:15).
  • H6591 pᵉshar (an interpretation): This is the object that is consistently being "shewn." The demand to shew the interpretation drives much of the narrative in Daniel (Daniel 2:6, Daniel 5:7).
  • H560 ʼămar (to say, speak, tell): This is often used as a prerequisite action. The Chaldeans ask the king to tell them the dream so that they can shew its meaning (Daniel 2:4, Daniel 2:7).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2324 is significant in the book of Daniel. It establishes a clear contrast between human ability and divine power.

  • Divine vs. Human Power: The repeated use of H2324 underscores a central theme: the inability of human wisdom, magic, or political power to access divine secrets. The Chaldeans admit that only gods, who do not dwell with flesh, could shew what the king demanded Daniel 2:11.
  • God as the Revealer of Secrets: Daniel's ability to shew the king's matter is never attributed to his own intellect but to God's revelation. The act of "showing" thus becomes a demonstration of God's sovereignty over the affairs of even the most powerful earthly kingdoms Daniel 2:27.
  • Revelation Leading to Proclamation: The act of showing moves from a private revelation to a public declaration. After witnessing a divine truth being "shewn," the king is compelled to shew God's signs and wonders to his entire kingdom, turning a test of power into an act of worship Daniel 4:2.

Summary

In summary, chăvâʼ H2324 is more than a simple Aramaic verb for "to show." Within its biblical context, it functions as a key term in the dramatic encounters between earthly kings and the God of Israel. It illustrates the profound difference between the limited insight of man and the absolute knowledge of God, highlighting that true understanding and the ability to reveal mysteries come only from a divine source. The word frames the narrative where secrets are demanded, human wisdom fails, and divine power is ultimately "shewn."

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 14 occurrences, inflected in 8 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • הַחֲוָיָה
  • תְּהַחֲוֹן
  • יְחַוִּנַּ
  • הַחֲוֹ
  • נְהַחֲוֵה
  • יְהַחֲוֵה
  • נְחַוֵּא
  • אֲחַוֵּא

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H263 אַחֲוָה (Aramaic) corresponding to אַחְוָה; solution (of riddles); showing. H3046 יְדַע (Aramaic) corresponding to יָדַע; {to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figura H6591 פְּשַׁר (Aramaic) from פְּשַׁר; an interpretation; interpretation. H560 אֲמַר (Aramaic) corresponding to אָמַר; {to say (used with great latitude)}; command, declare, say, speak, tell.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

13 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.