from חָזָה; a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact; agreement, notable (one), vision.
Transliteration:châzûwth
Pronunciation:khaw-zooth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חָזוּת (châzûwth, `{{H2380}}`) is derived from the verbal root חָזָה (châzâh, `{{H2372}}`), meaning "to see, behold, gaze, perceive." At its most basic level, חָזוּת signifies "a look" or "sight." However, its semantic range extends significantly beyond mere physical perception, encompassing figurative and abstract meanings that reflect the depth of its root.
Figuratively, חָזוּת can denote a "striking appearance," referring to something that is remarkable or notable to behold, often conveying a sense of imposing presence or distinct characteristic. This moves beyond simple observation to the *impact* of what is seen. Furthermore, it can refer to a "revelation" or "vision," particularly in the prophetic sense, where a divine communication is *seen* or perceived by a prophet. This aligns closely with the root's usage in contexts of prophetic insight.
By implication, חָזוּת can also signify a "compact" or "agreement." In this sense, it points to something that has been "seen" and mutually assented to, thereby becoming established and binding. The "look" here is one of shared understanding and formalization. Thus, the word bridges the gap from physical sight to profound spiritual insight and even to the establishment of social or covenantal bonds.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חָזוּת (châzûwth, `{{H2380}}`) appears four times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance illuminating its nuanced semantic range:
1. **[[Isaiah 28:18]]**: "And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it." Here, חָזוּת is translated as "agreement" (or "covenant" in some versions). The context is the prophet Isaiah's condemnation of Judah's false security, based on a presumed "agreement" with death and Sheol. This usage highlights the meaning of a binding compact or established understanding, which the Lord declares will be annulled. The "look" here is one of a perceived, albeit illusory, security.
2. **[[Daniel 8:6]]**: "And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power." In this verse, חָזוּת refers to a "vision" or "sight" that Daniel experienced. The phrase "which I had seen" (אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי) uses the verb form of the root חָזָה (châzâh, `{{H2372}}`), reinforcing the connection to the act of beholding a prophetic revelation. This is a direct application of the "vision" meaning, describing the content of Daniel's prophetic dream.
3. **[[Daniel 8:23]]**: "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." Here, חָזוּת is rendered "fierce countenance" or "notable one." It describes the striking and formidable *appearance* of the king, indicating a powerful and imposing presence. This aligns with the meaning of "striking appearance" or "notable (one)," emphasizing the visible characteristic that defines the individual.
4. **[[Daniel 11:21]]**: "And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries." Similar to [[Daniel 8:23]], חָזוּת in this verse describes the "notable" or "contemptible" appearance of the individual. While some translations render it as "vile person," the underlying sense is that of a person whose *appearance* or *character* is distinct and recognizable, even if deceptively so. It again points to a defining visual or perceived characteristic.
Across these occurrences, חָזוּת consistently relates to something that is "seen" or "perceived," whether it be a binding agreement, a prophetic vision, or a distinguishing appearance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic relationship of חָזוּת (châzûwth, `{{H2380}}`) is with its root verb, חָזָה (châzâh, `{{H2372}}`), which means "to see, behold, gaze, look at, perceive." This root is frequently used to describe prophetic visions, where God *causes* someone to see or perceive divine truth.
Other significant cognates derived from the same root include:
* **חָזוֹן (châzôn, `{{H2377}}`)**: This is the most common noun for "vision" or "revelation," particularly in the context of prophetic communication. It often refers to the content of a divine message received through sight.
* **מַחֲזֶה (machăzêh, `{{H4236}}`)**: Also meaning "vision" or "sight," this term often emphasizes the *act* of seeing or the *form* of the vision, sometimes in a more general sense than חָזוֹן.
The conceptual link across these words is profound: they all revolve around the act of perception, especially divine perception and revelation. While חָזוֹן and מַחֲזֶה more consistently denote prophetic visions, חָזוּת demonstrates a broader semantic range, extending from the physical "look" or "appearance" to the abstract "agreement," while still retaining the core idea of something being "seen" or "made visible." This breadth highlights the ancient Hebrew understanding that what is seen, whether literally or figuratively, carries significant weight and consequence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָזוּת (châzûwth, `{{H2380}}`) lies in its multifaceted connection to divine revelation, human perception, and established realities.
Firstly, in its sense of "revelation" or "vision" (as seen in Daniel), חָזוּת underscores God's initiative in communicating with humanity. Prophetic visions are not merely human imaginings but divine disclosures, where God *shows* His plan, His judgments, or His future. This emphasizes God's sovereignty and His desire to make Himself and His will known to His chosen servants. The act of "seeing" here is a reception of divine truth.
Secondly, the meaning of "agreement" or "compact" (as in Isaiah) speaks to the theological centrality of covenant in the biblical narrative. While Isaiah's context is a human, and ultimately foolish, agreement with death, it highlights the binding nature of such arrangements. From a broader biblical perspective, God establishes covenants with His people (e.g., Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant). These are "seen" or established realities, foundational to God's relationship with humanity. The annulment of the "agreement" in Isaiah 28:18 underscores God's ultimate authority over all human compacts and His righteous judgment against those that defy His will.
Finally, the usage describing a "striking appearance" or "notable one" in Daniel (8:23, 11:21) points to the visible manifestation of character, power, or destiny. Even the outward "look" of an individual can be a sign of their inner nature or their role in God's overarching plan, whether for good or ill. Theologically, this reminds us that appearances, while sometimes deceptive, can also be divinely ordained or permitted to reveal something significant about a person's nature or their impact on history.
In essence, חָזוּת functions as a theological lens through which we understand that what is "seen"—whether a divine vision, a human agreement, or a person's outward manifestation—carries profound spiritual and historical weight, often reflecting God's active involvement in the world.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חָזוּת (châzûwth, `{{H2380}}`), derived from the root "to see" (חָזָה, `{{H2372}}`), possesses a rich and varied semantic range. It fundamentally denotes "a look" or "sight," but extends to encompass a "striking appearance" (Daniel 8:23, 11:21), a profound "revelation" or "vision" (Daniel 8:6), and even a binding "agreement" or "compact" (Isaiah 28:18).
Its biblical occurrences highlight this versatility: in Isaiah, it refers to a human covenant; in Daniel, it describes both prophetic visions and the notable appearance of significant figures. Theologically, חָזוּת underscores the importance of divine revelation, where God actively *shows* His will and future plans. It also speaks to the binding nature of agreements, whether human or divine, and the significance of how individuals are "seen" in the context of God's sovereign purposes. Ultimately, חָזוּת encapsulates the idea that what is perceived, whether literally or figuratively, carries deep meaning and consequence within the divine economy.
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