הֹוָה
𐤄𐤅𐤄
hôvâh
H1943 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state of ruin, disaster, or calamity, typically referring to overwhelming destruction or a condition of being laid waste. In some contexts, it conveys the idea of personal or collective downfall, often as a result of violence, intrigue, or disaster. The word draws on associations with not just physical ruin, but also disaster resulting from schemes or malice.
Semantic Range
ruin, disaster, calamity, catastrophic event, violent destruction, downfall, mischief (disastrous intent), intrigue leading to ruin
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root הוה (h-w-h), which is associated with the ideas of becoming, occurring, or happening, but when used in this nominal form (as הֹוָה or its alternate spelling הַוָּה), it reflects a calamitous or disastrous occurrence. The exact root nuance in this nominal form leans toward negative outcomes — disaster or ruin — rather than neutral process or simple occurrence.
Historical & Contextual Notes
הֹוָה is a relatively rare noun, occurring primarily in poetic or prophetic texts (e.g., Ezekiel 7:26), and is interchangeable with the variant form הַוָּה (havvah). Both terms appear in contexts of disaster or violent ruin, often associated with national catastrophe or calamity for Israelite society. In early periods, the word may have signified sudden or catastrophic events befalling individuals or communities, while in exilic and post-exilic literature the emphasis leans toward communal disasters and national ruin. The sense of 'mischief' is present in the context of disaster brought about by human wrongdoing, such as intrigue or violence, but should not be reduced to mere troublemaking in the modern English sense. English translations such as 'ruin,' 'disaster,' 'calamity,' or 'destruction' capture the essential semantic range, but may lose nuances regarding the agency (human or divine) or social implications. The term is conceptually close to שֶׁבֶר (shever, 'breaking'), עֵדֶר (eder, 'calamity'), or אֵיד (eid, 'misfortune, ruin'), but tends to emphasize the violent or tragic collapse of order.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
another form for הַוָּה; ruin; mischief.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
הוה (h-w-h) — to become, to happen, to occur; to fall into ruin, to bring about disaster
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1933 | הָוָא | Become! |
| H1934 | הָוָא | he was |
| H1942 | הַוָּה | in his ruin |
| H1962 | הַיָּה | and my calamity |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1943-01 |
הֹוָ֔ה | hovah | HNcfsa |
disaster | calamitous ruin | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1943-01 |
Isaiah 47:11 | הֹוָ֔ה | hovah | HNcfsa |
disaster | calamitous ruin |
H1943-01 |
Ezekiel 7:26 | הֹוָ֤ה | hovah | HNcfsa |
disaster | calamitous ruin |
H1943-01 |
Ezekiel 7:26 | הֹוָה֙ | hovah-2 | HNcfsa |
disaster | calamitous ruin |