Lexical Summary
hava': To become, to be, to exist
Original Word:הָוָא
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:hava'
Pronunciation:hah-vah'
Phonetic Spelling:(haw-vaw')
KJV: be, X have
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. supposed to mean properly, to breathe
2. to be (in the sense of existence)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
to breathe; to be
Or havah {haw-vaw'}; a primitive root (compare'avah,hayah) supposed to mean properly, to breathe; to be (in the sense of existence) -- be, X have.
see HEBREW'avah
see HEBREWhayah
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Arabic
id. e.g. of a star Qor 53:1) —
ImperativeJob 37:6 for he saith to the snowFall earthwards (an Arabizing usage).
see [ ].
(√ of following; DeJob 39:20 compare Bedouin
crash, roar, resonance; 'weithin hallende Selbstverkündigung' Id.Psalm 8:6; but
ordinarily meansbe Gentle, quiet, especially in speech).
[] (Arabic
to fall (see ), alsoto gape oryawn, andto desire (compare ): compare FlDeJob 6:2; Aramaic ,
the usual word forto be (probably originallyto fall out, accidit, hencecome to pass, come to be, ), Mishnaid. very common) a rare synonym of q. v. : —
Imperfect with apocopeEcclesiastes 11:3 (for withotiosum; Ges§ 75 R I 3 e Köp. 597 f.; but Gr plausibly );Imperative masculine singularGenesis 27:29, feminine singular,Isaiah 16:4,ParticipleEcclesiastes 2:22;Nehemiah 6:6 : —Genesis 27:29become lord to thy brethren,Isaiah 16:4 (perhaps in imitation of Moabite dialect)become thou (Zion) a defence to them,Ecclesiastes 2:22;Ecclesiastes 11:3;Nehemiah 6:6.
Topical Lexicon
Conceptual OverviewThe rare form הָוָא (Strong’s Hebrew 1933) functions as an imperative or jussive meaning “be, become.” In every Old-Testament appearance it turns possibility into reality by authoritative speech—whether from God, His prophets, or a patriarch. Each text therefore showcases the power of the spoken word under divine sovereignty.
Distribution across the Canon
•Genesis 27:29
•Nehemiah 6:6
•Job 37:6
•Ecclesiastes 2:22
•Ecclesiastes 11:3
•Isaiah 16:4
Key Texts
Genesis 27:29 “Be master of your brothers…”
Job 37:6 “For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the torrential rains, ‘Be.’”
Isaiah 16:4 “Let the fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.”
Thematic Observations
1. Divine Efficacy: הָוָא often follows “He says,” underscoring that God’s word accomplishes what it declares (cf.Isaiah 55:11).
2. Covenant Identity: InGenesis 27:29 it seals the Abrahamic promise; Jacob’s status “becomes” by divine decree, not human stratagem.
3. Human Ambition vs. Providence:Nehemiah 6:6 records a rumor that Nehemiah “will become” king, contrasting unfounded human plots with God-ordained reality.
4. Creation’s Obedience:Job 37:6 andEcclesiastes 11:3 reveal nature instantly conforming to God’s command.
5. Existential Reflection:Ecclesiastes 2:22 asks, “What is הָוָא?”—what truly “is” after all human toil—driving the reader to fear God for lasting substance.
6. Refuge and Foreshadowing:Isaiah 16:4’s call to “be a shelter” hints at the Messianic ministry of refuge ultimately realized in Jesus Christ.
Historical and Cultural Context
The spelling reflects an archaic orthography where waw replaces yod in the verb “to be.” Its usage in blessings, legal accusations, and poetic descriptions aligns with Ancient Near-Eastern views of performative speech, while Scripture roots that authority firmly in the Lord.
Practical Ministry Applications
• Bless with Scriptural Confidence—Isaac’s authoritative “be” models prayerful pronouncement of God’s promises.
• Guard Against False Narratives—Nehemiah’s episode warns leaders to weigh rumors that assign ambitions God has not given.
• Worship the Sovereign Creator—Job 37:6 calls believers to awe-filled trust in the One whose word governs weather and history.
• Provide Tangible Refuge—Isaiah 16:4 urges the church to shelter the vulnerable, mirroring God’s protective character.
• Labor with Eternal Perspective—Ecclesiastes anchors purpose not in transient toil but in what will “be” forever in the Lord.
Christological Fulfillment
All imperatives to “be” converge in Jesus, who declares, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). He embodies existence itself and secures every promise: “For in Him every one of God’s promises is ‘Yes’” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Summary
Across blessing, accusation, creation, reflection, and refuge, הָוָא highlights the moment potential becomes actuality by God’s authoritative word, urging believers to rest in that same sovereign “be.”
Forms and Transliterations
הֱוִי־ הֱוֵ֤ה הֱוֵ֫א הֹוֶ֤ה הוא הוה הוי־ יְהֽוּא׃ יהוא׃ hĕ·wê hĕ·wêh hĕ·wî- heVe heVeh hevi hĕwê hĕwêh hĕwî- hō·weh hoVeh hōweh yə·hū yeHu yəhū
Links
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