Shew, Show
The Language of Showing and Revealing
The word "shew" is simply an older English spelling of "show," and both forms appear frequently throughout English Bible translations. Despite the single English word, the underlying Hebrew and Greek texts use a wide variety of terms, each carrying different nuances of revelation, demonstration, and display.
At its core, "show" means to cause someone to see something — whether physically, intellectually, or spiritually. When God tells Abraham to go to a land "that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1), it combines physical direction with spiritual revelation. God is not merely pointing to a location; He is unveiling a destiny.
God Showing His Character and Power
Some of the most significant uses of "show" in Scripture describe God's self-revelation. God "showed" Moses His glory (Exodus 33:18-23). The psalmist declares, "You will show me the path of life" (Psalm 16:11), connecting divine showing with guidance and salvation. In Jeremiah 38:21, God shows the prophet the consequences of the nation's choices.
Throughout the Old Testament, God demonstrates His power through mighty acts — the plagues, the parting of the sea, provision in the wilderness. Moses reminded Israel, "The Lord showed you these things so that you might know that the Lord is God" (Deuteronomy 4:35). Seeing and knowing are intimately connected: what God shows, He intends His people to understand.
Human Showing and Declaration
People also "show" things in Scripture, whether declaring God's works or making known information. The psalmist vows to "show forth" God's praise (Psalm 9:14). Paul speaks of showing or declaring the Lord's death in communion "until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).
In narrative contexts, showing can mean reporting or relating events. When Jesus healed someone, He sometimes told them to "show yourself to the priest" (Luke 5:14), fulfilling the requirements of the Law and providing a visible testimony of God's healing power.
Show Versus Reality
Scripture also uses "show" to describe outward appearances that may differ from inner reality. Paul warned against those who "make a fair show in the flesh" (Galatians 6:12), meaning they kept up outward religious appearances for selfish reasons. Colossians 2:23 describes human-made religious rules that have "an appearance of wisdom" but lack genuine spiritual power.
Jesus condemned the religious leaders who "for a show make lengthy prayers" (Luke 20:47), exposing the gap between their public performance and their private exploitation of the vulnerable. This contrast between showing and being is a persistent biblical theme.
The Ultimate Showing: Christ Revealed
The New Testament presents Jesus as the ultimate act of divine showing. "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father's side, has made Him known" (John 1:18). The incarnation is God's supreme act of showing — making visible what was invisible, making known what was hidden.
In the book of Revelation, God "shows" John the things that must take place (Revelation 1:1; 22:6), continuing the pattern of divine revelation that runs throughout Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, God is a God who shows — who reveals, displays, and makes known His character, His will, and His plan of redemption.
Biblical Context
The concept of showing and revealing appears in virtually every book of the Bible. It is central to the Pentateuch's account of God's self-revelation to Moses and Israel, to the Psalms' celebration of God's works, to the prophetic tradition of declaring God's purposes, to the Gospels' presentation of Jesus as the revelation of God, and to the apostolic letters' call to display Christ's character in daily life.
Theological Significance
The biblical vocabulary of 'showing' is deeply tied to the doctrine of revelation. God is not hidden or unknowable but actively makes Himself known through creation, through His mighty acts, through His Word, and supremely through His Son. The contrast between genuine divine showing and hollow human display also teaches the importance of authenticity in faith — God sees past outward appearances to the heart.
Historical Background
In the ancient world, divine self-revelation was a central concern of religious life. Pagan religions sought to discern the will of the gods through omens, divination, and oracles. Israel's distinctive claim was that their God took the initiative to show Himself and His purposes clearly, not through obscure signs but through direct speech and mighty deeds. The Hebrew prophetic tradition of 'thus says the Lord' represents a direct, authoritative mode of divine showing unlike anything in the surrounding cultures.