The Aramaic word shᵉvâh, represented by H7739, means to resemble or make like. This word, which corresponds to the Hebrew שָׁוָה, is used sparingly in scripture, appearing only 2 times across 2 unique verses. Its usage focuses on the powerful act of transforming something into a different state or likeness, often as a result of divine judgment or royal decree.
The two occurrences of shᵉvâh are found in the book of Daniel, where it describes dramatic transformations. In one instance, King Nebuchadnezzar's heart “was made like the beasts” as a divine punishment until he acknowledged God's sovereignty Daniel 5:21. In another, the same king decrees that the houses of anyone who speaks against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego “shall be made a dunghill” Daniel 3:29. In both contexts, the word signifies a fundamental change in nature or status imposed by a higher power.
The theological significance of shᵉvâh is tied to the absolute authority of God.
- Divine Judgment: The word illustrates a method of divine punishment where a person is fundamentally altered to reflect a lower state. Nebuchadnezzar's heart being made like an animal's serves as a powerful lesson in humility, demonstrating that God can debase the proud Daniel 5:21.
- Punitive Transformation: The decree to make a house a dunghill shows that irreverence toward God can result in utter ruin and desolation. This transformation from a home to a waste pile serves as a stark warning Daniel 3:29.
- God's Unrivaled Power: The context of the decree in Daniel 3:29 is made because “there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.” The use of shᵉvâh underscores the unique power of God to save His followers and to utterly change the state of those who oppose Him.
In summary, shᵉvâh is a potent Aramaic verb that, while rare, carries significant weight. It is used exclusively in Daniel to describe a complete transformation enacted as a form of judgment. Whether changing a man's heart to resemble a beast's or a house into a dunghill, shᵉvâh demonstrates the profound and authoritative power of God to alter the very nature of things to fulfill His sovereign will.
