a primitive root; to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have avision of; behold, look, prophesy, provide, see.
Transliteration:châzâh
Pronunciation:khaw-zaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb châzâh (`{{H2372}}`) is a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around the act of "gazing at" or "beholding." Unlike a casual glance, châzâh implies a deliberate, often sustained, and focused act of seeing. Its semantic range is notably broad, extending from physical observation to profound mental and spiritual perception. It can mean "to perceive" or "to contemplate," sometimes with an implication of pleasure or deep engagement. Crucially, châzâh is specifically used to denote the reception of a divine "vision," thereby connecting it intimately with prophetic revelation. The various English translations, such as "behold," "look," "prophesy," "provide," and "see," reflect this rich diversity of meaning, with "prophesy" derived directly from the act of "seeing" divine truth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of châzâh in the Hebrew Bible illuminates its varied applications:
* **Physical Observation:** While not its primary or most frequent use, châzâh can describe literal physical sight, such as seeing a king in his beauty [[Isaiah 33:17]].
* **Mental Perception and Contemplation:** The verb is employed to describe the act of discerning or understanding, often in a contemplative manner. For example, Job's contemplation of the wicked's fate or God's ways [[Job 34:32]].
* **Prophetic Vision and Revelation:** This is arguably the most significant and frequent application of châzâh. Prophets are repeatedly described as those who "see" visions from God. Isaiah "saw" the Lord seated upon His throne [[Isaiah 6:1]], and Ezekiel often recounts the "visions" he châzâhed [[Ezekiel 13:23]]. The book of Obadiah begins with "The vision of Obadiah," using a noun form derived from this root. This usage underscores the direct and often visual nature of divine communication to the prophets.
* **Divine Beholding:** God Himself is described as châzâhing, implying His omniscient gaze and sovereign oversight. The Lord "beholds" all the sons of men from heaven [[Psalm 33:13]], signifying His comprehensive knowledge and judicial awareness.
* **Seeking God's Presence:** In some poetic and devotional contexts, châzâh expresses the earnest desire to "behold the beauty of the Lord" or to "inquire in His temple" [[Psalm 27:4]]. This speaks to a longing for intimate communion and direct experience of God's character and presence.
* **Foresight/Provision:** The less common translation "provide" suggests a dimension of foresight or seeing ahead to make necessary arrangements, though this is a less direct semantic extension.
### Related Words & Concepts
châzâh exists within a semantic field of "seeing" words in Hebrew, each with distinct nuances:
* **`{{H7200}}` (ra'ah):** The most common and general Hebrew verb for "to see." While ra'ah can encompass any form of seeing, châzâh often implies a more focused, intentional, or revelatory kind of seeing, making it a specialized subset of ra'ah.
* **`{{H2374}}` (chozeh):** The masculine noun derived from châzâh, meaning "seer" or "visionary." This term directly identifies the individual who performs the act of châzâh, particularly in a prophetic capacity.
* **`{{H2384}}` (chazon):** The masculine noun directly related to châzâh, meaning "vision," especially a prophetic vision. This is the content or result of the act of châzâh.
* **`{{H4759}}` (mar'eh):** A noun meaning "appearance," "sight," or "vision," often used for prophetic visions, related to `{{H7200}}`.
* **`{{H5023}}` (naba'):** "To prophesy." While châzâh describes the *reception* or *seeing* of a divine message, naba' describes the *proclamation* or *speaking* of it. The two concepts are inherently linked in the prophetic office.
* **Contemplation and Meditation:** The aspect of "mentally perceiving" or "contemplating" connects châzâh to broader concepts of deep thought, reflection, and spiritual meditation on God's truth and works.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of châzâh are profound and far-reaching:
* **Divine Revelation:** châzâh is a cornerstone term for understanding how God reveals Himself and His will to humanity. It highlights the direct, often visual, nature of Old Testament prophecy, where divine truth is apprehended through "visions." This underscores God's active engagement in communicating with His creation.
* **God's Sovereignty and Omniscience:** When God is the subject of châzâh, it speaks to His all-encompassing knowledge and sovereign oversight. Nothing escapes His gaze, affirming His omnipresence and perfect understanding of all things, including the hearts and actions of humanity.
* **Intimacy with God:** The desire expressed in [[Psalm 27:4]] to "behold the beauty of the Lord" signifies a deep spiritual longing for personal encounter and intimate communion with the Divine. It is a desire not merely to know *about* God, but to *experience* His presence and character directly.
* **The Prophetic Office:** The very essence of the prophet's ministry is encapsulated by châzâh. A prophet is fundamentally a "seer" (chozeh), one who has been granted the privilege and responsibility to "see" what God reveals and then faithfully declare it to His people. This emphasizes that prophetic speech is divinely sourced, not human invention.
* **Eschatological Hope:** While rooted in the Old Testament, the concept of "seeing" God carries an eschatological dimension, pointing forward to the ultimate hope of seeing God "face to face" in the New Testament (e.g., [[1 John 3:2]]).
### Summary
The Hebrew verb châzâh (`{{H2372}}`) is a powerful and versatile term signifying "to gaze at," "to behold," or "to perceive." Its semantic range encompasses physical observation, mental contemplation, and, most notably, the reception of divine visions. châzâh is intricately linked to the prophetic ministry, defining the prophet as one who "sees" God's revelation. It underscores the direct and often visual nature of God's communication, affirming His sovereignty and omniscience. Furthermore, châzâh expresses the human longing for intimate communion with God and provides a theological foundation for understanding divine revelation throughout biblical history. The act of châzâh is not a passive glance but an active, profound engagement with what is seen, especially in the realm of the sacred and divine.
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