שָׁוֵה
Shaveh, a place in Palestine
Definition
Shaveh is a proper noun referring to a specific location in ancient Palestine, known as 'the valley of Shaveh' (Genesis 14:17). The name itself means 'plain' or 'level place,' derived from its root word. This valley is historically significant as the meeting place where Abram (later Abraham) encountered Melchizedek, king of Salem, after his military victory to rescue Lot. The single biblical occurrence establishes it as a notable geographical site associated with a pivotal moment of blessing and worship in Abram's life.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Shaveh' is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 14:17. It appears in the compound phrase 'the valley of Shaveh,' which is further identified as 'the King's Valley.' Its usage is strictly as a geographical proper noun, providing the setting for the narrative where the king of Sodom meets Abram and where Melchizedek blesses Abram.
Etymology
The name Shaveh (שָׁוֵה) comes directly from the Hebrew root שָׁוָה (shavah, H7737), meaning 'to be level,' 'even,' or 'to make equal.' As a proper noun derived from this root, it describes the terrain of the location—a plain or level valley. This etymological connection highlights the physical characteristic of the place.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a place name, its sole biblical context in Genesis 14:17 is theologically rich. The 'valley of Shaveh' is the stage for the encounter between Abram and Melchizedek, a priest-king who blesses Abram and receives a tithe. This scene prefigures Christ's eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7) and underscores themes of divine blessing, victory granted by God, and righteous worship. Understanding the location enriches the narrative's significance.
In the ancient Near East, valleys and plains were often strategic locations for meetings, trade, and battles. Naming a place 'Shaveh' (the level place) would have immediately communicated its topography to an ancient audience. The additional title 'the King's Valley' suggests it was a recognized, possibly royal or politically significant, site in the region, fitting for a meeting between victorious parties and local kings.
biqʿâ (בִּקְעָה, H1237) — a broader term for a valley or plain, not a proper name. ʿēmeq (עֵמֶק, H6010) — another general term for valley, often deeper.
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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