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שְׁוָה

𐤔𐤅𐤄

shᵉvâh

H7739 verb

SILEX Entry

Root שוה to be equal, to be like, to make equal

Definition

To make similar; to cause to appear alike; to liken one thing to another; in derived forms, to compare or set something on an equal footing with another. In context, used for expressing similarity, often in the context of comparison in legal texts, wisdom literature, and poetic parallels.

Semantic Range

to resemble, to make like, to cause to appear similar, to compare, to set as equal, to estime or value (in some dialectal or later senses)

Root / Etymology

From the root שוה, meaning 'to be equal, to be like, to make equal.' שְׁוָה in Aramaic functions as a causative or stative verb, conveying causing resemblance or equivalence. The root also occurs in Hebrew forms, but with some semantic shifts between Hebrew and Aramaic usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Aramaic (e.g., Daniel, Ezra), שְׁוָה appears primarily in the context of comparison or resemblance, often with abstract or metaphorical senses rather than concrete visual likeness. The verb is typically used with direct objects indicating what is made alike or compared. Its meaning is distinct from other roots expressing likeness (such as דמה), by its focus on caused similarity or setting on equal footing rather than inherent resemblance. In later Jewish Aramaic, the meaning broadens to include estimating or valuing. Modern English translations often render the term as 'make like,' 'resemble,' or 'be like to,' but may not consistently distinguish causative nuance. No theological meaning is attached in the contexts where it appears; the term is functional and descriptive, not identity-defining. The English 'make like' or 'resemble' serves as an approximation, but may not fully encapsulate the nuance of intentionally causing a comparison or establishing equivalence.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic); corresponding to שָׁוָה; to resemble; make like.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

שוה (sh-w-h) — to be equal, to be like, to make equal

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3145 יוֹשַׁוְיָה And Yahweh-has-established
H3438 יִשְׁוָה and Yishvah
H3440 יִשְׁוִי to Yishvi
H3441 יִשְׁוִי the Yishvite
H7737 שָׁוָה I will make equal

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7739-01 שַׁוִּ֗יְו shaviyev AVQp3mp like they made alike 1
H7739-02 שוי shvy AVQp3mp made like they made alike 1
H7739-03 יִשְׁתַּוֵּ֑ה yishetaveh AVMi3ms shall-be-made he will liken himself 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7739-03 Daniel 3:29 יִשְׁתַּוֵּ֑ה yishetaveh AVMi3ms shall-be-made he will liken himself
H7739-02 Daniel 5:21 שוי shvy AVQp3mp made like they made alike
H7739-01 Daniel 5:21 שַׁוִּ֗יְו shaviyev AVQp3mp like they made alike
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