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שָׁוָה

𐤔𐤅𐤄

shâvâh

H7737 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שׁוה to be even, to level, to make equal, to resemble

Definition

To make equal, balance, or level; to resemble or be like (someone or something); to place, compose, or set in a particular arrangement. The term is used of making physical surfaces even, making something equivalent in value, adjusting or measuring up against something, and figuratively expressing likeness or comparison between persons or things. In some contexts, it can also carry the nuance of making profitable, suitable, or advantageous.

Semantic Range

to level a surface, to make equal or equivalent, to evaluate or judge equivalence, to resemble/be like, to compare, to counterbalance, to set or compose, to value or estimate worth, to profit/bring advantage

Root / Etymology

From the root שׁוה (sh-w-h), which fundamentally means 'to be level' or 'to be even.' The form שָׁוָה functions as both a Qal and Hiphil verb; its verbal meanings develop from the root’s sense of evenness or similarity into broader applications of balance, equivalence, comparison, and suitability.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, שָׁוָה occurs across various genres, from poetry and prophecy to wisdom literature. In physical contexts (Isa 40:4), it means to make level or even, such as 'level the rough ground.' More often, however, it is used metaphorically—such as with people being compared (Ps 89:7), or behaviors being weighed or judged as similar or suitable in wisdom literature (Eccl 2:17; 2:23). The verb also carries bookkeeping/mathematical connotations—reckoning value or profit (Job 30:19, 'it avails me nothing,' i.e., it brings no profit). In rabbinic and post-biblical Hebrew, the root develops further towards evaluation and equivalence. English translations often reduce the word to 'equal,' 'compare,' or 'value,' but its semantic field is broader. Contrast with דָּמָה (damah, 'to be like, resemble'), which overlaps in usage but can carry implications of likeness by appearance or nature rather than arrangement or value; שָׁוָה leans more towards making equivalent or leveling by an act of arranging, setting, or valuing. In later periods, the term came to be used in legal and liturgical writings for setting values and equations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e. counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, etc.); avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail, (be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a-) like, make plain, profit, reckon.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שוה (sh-w-h) — to be even, to level, to make equal, to resemble

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3145 יוֹשַׁוְיָה And Yahweh-has-established
H3438 יִשְׁוָה and Yishvah
H3440 יִשְׁוִי to Yishvi
H3441 יִשְׁוִי the Yishvite
H7738 שָׁוָה you will be devastated

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7737-06 שִׁוִּ֤יתִי shiviti HVpp1cs I have set I have made equal 5
H7737-07 שֹׁוֶ֖ה shoveh HVqrmsa equal the one who makes equal 3
H7737-13 יִֽשְׁווּ yishevu HVqi3mp can compare they will be equal 2
H7737-02 מְשַׁוֶּ֥ה meshaveh HVprmsa makes even the one who equalizes 2
H7737-10 וְ/אֶשְׁוֶ֑ה veesheveh HC/Vqi1cs or shall I be equal and I will make equal 1
H7737-08 תְּשַׁוֶּ֥ה teshaveh HVpi2ms you bestow you make equal 1
H7737-01 אַשְׁוֶה asheveh HVhi1cs shall I liken I will make equal 1
H7737-09 תִּשְׁוֶה tisheveh HVqi2ms you be like you will be equal 1
H7737-05 שִׁוָּ֣ה shivah HVpp3ms he level he made equal 1
H7737-04 שָׁ֥וָה shavah HVqp3ms it profited she was equal 1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7737-02 2 Samuel 22:34 מְשַׁוֶּ֥ה meshaveh HVprmsa makes even the one who equalizes
H7737-05 Isaiah 28:25 שִׁוָּ֣ה shivah HVpp3ms he level he made equal
H7737-06 Isaiah 38:13 שִׁוִּ֤יתִי shiviti HVpp1cs I made level I have made equal
H7737-10 Isaiah 40:25 וְ/אֶשְׁוֶ֑ה veesheveh HC/Vqi1cs or shall I be equal and I will make equal
H7737-11 Isaiah 46:5 וְ/תַשְׁו֑וּ vetashevu HC/Vhi2mp and make equal and you will make equal
H7737-12 Hosea 10:1 יְשַׁוֶּה yeshaveh HVpi3ms he brings forth he makes equal
H7737-06 Psalms 16:8 שִׁוִּ֬יתִי shiviti HVpp1cs I have set I have made equal
H7737-02 Psalms 18:34 מְשַׁוֶּ֣ה meshaveh HVprmsa makes even the one who equalizes
H7737-08 Psalms 21:6 תְּשַׁוֶּ֥ה teshaveh HVpi2ms you bestow you make equal
H7737-06 Psalms 89:20 שִׁוִּ֣יתִי shiviti HVpp1cs I have provided I have made equal
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