חָזוֹת
a revelation
Definition
The Hebrew noun חָזוֹת (chazoth) refers specifically to a prophetic vision or revelation from God. It denotes a divine communication received through a visual or visionary experience, often containing symbolic imagery or future-oriented messages. The word is derived from the root חָזָה (chazah), meaning 'to see' or 'to perceive,' emphasizing the visual and revelatory nature of these encounters. In its sole biblical occurrence, it is used in the context of recording the prophetic insights of the seer Iddo concerning King Solomon's reign (2 Chronicles 9:29).
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 9:29. It is used in a historical context to describe the written records of the prophet Iddo, which contained his 'visions' concerning the acts of King Solomon. The usage connects it to the literary genre of prophetic history, where divine revelations were documented as part of Israel's national record. It functions as a technical term for a collection of prophetic visions.
Etymology
Derived from the root חָזָה (H2372, chazah), meaning 'to see,' 'to behold,' or 'to perceive.' This root is central to the vocabulary of prophetic vision in Hebrew (e.g., חָזוֹן, chazon, 'vision'). חָזוֹת is a feminine noun form, indicating the concrete result or product of the act of seeing—specifically, divinely granted sights. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to seeing and divination.
Semantic Range
This word underscores the biblical concept of divine revelation through visionary experiences. It highlights that God's communication to prophets was often visual and symbolic, forming the basis for written prophecy. Understanding this term enriches the reading of prophetic literature by emphasizing the 'seen' nature of their messages, which were then interpreted and recorded for God's people. It connects to the doctrine of inspiration, showing how revelatory experiences were transmitted into scripture.
In ancient Israelite culture, visions were a recognized and respected mode of divine communication, primarily associated with prophets (seers). A 'vision' (chazoth) was considered a legitimate and authoritative revelation from Yahweh, distinguishing it from common dreams or pagan divination. The recording of such visions in official chronicles (as in 2 Chronicles 9:29) granted them historical and theological authority for the community.
חָזוֹן (chazon, H2377) — A more common term for a prophetic vision or revelation, often with a broader scope. מַרְאָה (mar'ah, H4759) — A vision, often emphasizing the thing seen or the appearance itself. חֶזְיוֹן (chezyon, H2380) — Another term for vision, frequently used in the prophetic books.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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