English · KJV
H7737

שָׁוָה

shâvâh /shaw-vaw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e. counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, etc.)
KJV usageavail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail, (be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a-) like, make plain, profit, reckon.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of shâvâh — 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 Hebrew word shâvâh, represented by H7737, is a primitive root with a core meaning of leveling or equalizing. It appears 22 times in 21 verses, demonstrating a range of figurative and applied meanings, including to resemble, adjust, place, profit, or compare. This versatility allows it to convey concepts from making ground plain to assessing the ultimate value of wisdom or the unique nature of God.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H7737 appears in several distinct contexts. It is frequently used to challenge the comparison of anything to God, as in the question, "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal?" Isaiah 40:25. The word also signifies the act of placing or setting something in a position of importance. David declares, "I have set the LORD always before me" Psalms 16:8, indicating a deliberate alignment of his life with God's presence. In a different sense, it is used to calculate value or profit, such as when Haman argues that it is not for the king's profit to allow the Jewish people to remain Esther 3:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to clarify the nuances of comparison, value, and placement associated with H7737:

  • H1819 dâmâh (to compare): This root is often used in parallel with shâvâh to ask what can be likened to God Isaiah 46:5. It focuses on resemblance and making comparisons.
  • H4911 mâshal (to liken): This word is also used alongside shâvâh and dâmâh to emphasize God's incomparability Isaiah 46:5. It can also refer to using figurative language, such as a proverb Ezekiel 18:2.
  • H3477 yâshâr (straight, right): This term connects to the core idea of leveling in shâvâh. Something that is right or straight provides a proper standard, which is perverted by sin, an act that ultimately does not profit H7737 the sinner Job 33:27.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7737 is significant, highlighting key truths about God and wisdom.

  • Divine Incomparability: The word is used repeatedly to establish that there is no one and nothing that can be equaled with God. This concept underscores His absolute uniqueness and sovereignty over all creation (Isaiah 40:25, Isaiah 46:5).
  • Foundational Alignment: By laying God's judgments H4941 before oneself Psalms 119:30 or setting the LORD H3068 as a constant presence Psalms 16:8, the believer establishes a firm, unshakeable spiritual foundation. This action brings stability, as the psalmist concludes, "I shall not be moved" H4131.
  • A Divine Standard of Value: The word serves as a measure for what is truly worthwhile. Wisdom's value is so great that nothing else can be compared to it (Proverbs 3:15, Proverbs 8:11). Conversely, sin is exposed as something that ultimately offers no profit Job 33:27.

Summary

In summary, H7737 moves from the simple idea of leveling to the profound work of spiritual and moral evaluation. It is used to declare God's unmatched nature, to describe the foundational act of placing Him at the center of one's life, and to measure the true worth of wisdom against the emptiness of sin. The word teaches that all things must be made level and compared against the perfect, righteous, and incomparable standard of God himself.

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 21 occurrences, inflected in 13 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.

  • שִׁוִּיתִי
  • שֹׁוֶה
  • מְשַׁוֶּה
  • יִשְׁווּ
  • תַשְׁווּ
  • אַשְׁוֶה
  • נִשְׁתָּוָה
  • תְּשַׁוֶּה
  • יְשַׁוֶּה
  • שִׁוָּה
  • אֶשְׁוֶה
  • תִּשְׁוֶה
  • שָׁוָה

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.

H1819 דָּמָה a primitive root; to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider; compare, devise, (be) like(-n), mean, think, H4911 מָשַׁל denominative from מָשָׁל; to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like H3477 יָשָׁר from יָשַׁר; straight (literally or figuratively); convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), [phrase] pleased well r H4941 מִשְׁפָּט from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decre H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H4131 מוֹט a primitive root; to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall; be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay

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

Appears in 21 verses across 8 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Psalms (6 verses); never once in the other 31.

1
2 Samuel
3
Esther
1
Job
6
Psalms
4
Proverbs
4
Isaiah
1
Lamentations
1
Hosea

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.