Hebrew word · H2377

חָזוֹן

chazon

vision

From the verb ḥāzâ, 'to see' (especially to see in a vision). In the Hebrew Bible ḥāzôn is almost always revelation from God given through a seer or prophet: a vision in the night, a prophetic oracle, or a collection of prophetic messages ('The vision of Isaiah', Isaiah 1:1; Obadiah 1; Nahum 1:1).

Appears 35 times in 34 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) vision

1a) vision (in ecstatic state)

1b) vision (in night)

1c) vision, oracle, prophecy (divine communication)

1d) vision (as title of book of prophecy)

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Proverbs 29:18

Range of meaning

From the verb ḥāzâ, 'to see' (especially to see in a vision). In the Hebrew Bible ḥāzôn is almost always revelation from God given through a seer or prophet: a vision in the night, a prophetic oracle, or a collection of prophetic messages ('The vision of Isaiah', Isaiah 1:1; Obadiah 1; Nahum 1:1). It can refer to a single revelation or to the prophetic word in general.

Against the English

In modern English 'vision' usually means a leader's picture of the future, a mission statement, or personal ambition. That meaning is not part of the Hebrew word. 'Revelation' (WEB, NIV 2011) or 'prophetic vision' (ESV) makes the source of the vision clear.

How it drifted

'Vision' was a good translation in 1611, when the English word still mainly meant a supernatural sight. In the twentieth century, business and organisational language took 'vision' to mean strategic goal-setting, and this verse became a slogan for that use.

Used elsewhere in the period

1 Samuel 3:1: 'the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision (ḥāzôn)'. Lamentations 2:9: 'her prophets find no vision from the LORD'. Ezekiel 7:26: 'they seek a vision from the prophet, but instruction (tôrāh) perishes from the priest'. That verse pairs the same two words found here. Psalm 74:9 and Micah 3:6 also describe a time without vision as a time of judgement and disorder. Hosea 4:6 laments a people destroyed for lack of knowledge.

From the study of Habakkuk 2:3

Range of meaning

A revelation 'seen' or received from God, often in a night vision or a prophetic trance. It can also be the written record of such a revelation, as in book titles: 'The vision of Isaiah' (Isaiah 1:1), 'The vision of Obadiah' (Obadiah 1). It comes from ḥazah, 'to see', the word behind ḥozeh, 'seer'. In the Old Testament it never means a human goal, plan or aspiration.

Against the English

Every major English version says 'vision' (NIV says 'revelation'). That is accurate, but modern English 'vision' mostly means a leader's or organization's goals for the future ('vision statement', 'a vision for your life'). The Hebrew word has no such sense.

How it drifted

Business and leadership language of the twentieth century made 'vision' mean strategic aspiration. Verses 2–3 ('write the vision… make it plain… though it tarry, wait for it') were then taken up as a slogan for goal-setting.

Used elsewhere in the period

The word appears in the prophets (Isaiah 1:1; Ezekiel 7:26; Micah 3:6; Proverbs 29:18, 'where there is no ḥazon', meaning no prophetic revelation). Habakkuk 1:1 calls the book a 'burden that Habakkuk saw (ḥazah)'. The Dead Sea Scrolls' Habakkuk commentary (1QpHab VII) treats this ḥazon as a divine revelation about 'the end of the age'.

From the study of 1 Samuel 3:1

Range of meaning

A vision, a revelation received by a seer (chozeh). The word often stands for a prophetic revelation or oracle as a whole, as in the titles 'the vision of Isaiah' (Isa 1:1) and 'the vision of Obadiah' (Obad 1). It need not be visual.

Against the English

'Vision' is a fair rendering, but it can suggest only something seen, or a modern 'leadership vision'. Here it means God revealing himself, and the parallel clause makes it the equivalent of 'the word of YHWH'.

How it drifted

The leadership sense of 'vision' attaches mostly to Prov 29:18 ('where there is no vision', also chazon). It does not affect this verse much, but the same word is behind both.

Used elsewhere in the period

The loss of chazon is a recurring sign of crisis or judgment: Lam 2:9 ('her prophets find no vision from YHWH'), Ezek 7:26, Mic 3:6, Ps 74:9 ('there is no longer any prophet').

Where it appears

1 Samuel · 1
  1. 1 Samuel 3:1 חָז֖וֹן vision

    And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.

    Here: A revelation received by a seer. It can be something seen, but the word is often used for prophetic revelation in general. It parallels 'the word of YHWH' in the previous clause.

1 Chronicles · 1
  1. 1 Chronicles 17:15 הֶחָז֣וֹן the vision

    So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire revelation.

2 Chronicles · 1
  1. 2 Chronicles 32:32 בַּחֲז֞וֹן in [the] vision of

    As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of loving devotion, they are indeed written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

Psalms · 1
  1. Psalm 89:19 בְחָ֡זוֹן in a vision

    You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.

    Here: 'In a vision.' This is the usual word for a revelation given to a prophet. It echoes 2 Samuel 7:17, where Nathan passes on God's promise to David 'according to all this vision' (a closely related word, ḥizzāyôn).

Proverbs · 1
  1. Proverbs 29:18 חָ֭זוֹן [is] vision

    Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

    Here: A word from God received by a seer or prophet, the usual word for prophetic revelation (Isaiah 1:1; 1 Samuel 3:1). It does not mean a leader's foresight or a picture of future goals. It means God speaking.

Isaiah · 2
  1. Isaiah 1:1 חֲזוֹן֙ [the] vision of

    This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

    Here: The title word of the whole collection: a revelation received by a prophet. It names what follows as God-given insight, not Isaiah's own opinion. It does not mean that everything after it was seen as pictures; most of what follows is spoken oracle. The form is 'vision of', tying it straight to Isaiah's name.

  2. Isaiah 29:7 חֲז֣וֹן a vision of

    All the many nations going out to battle against Ariel—even all who war against her, laying siege and attacking her—will be like a dream, like a vision in the night,

Jeremiah · 2
  1. Jeremiah 14:14 חֲז֨וֹן a vision of

    “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

    Here: The standard word for a prophetic revelation or oracle. They present their message as received revelation.

  2. Jeremiah 23:16 חֲז֤וֹן [the] vision of

    This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

    Here: The technical word for a prophet's revelation, whether something seen or a revelatory message (compare Isaiah 1:1, 'The vision of Isaiah'). They present their message as revelation.

Lamentations · 1
  1. Lamentations 2:9 חָז֖וֹן a vision

    Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed and shattered their bars. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and even her prophets find no vision from the LORD.

    Here: "A vision." A revelation from God given to a prophet. It is the word used in the titles of prophetic books (Isa 1:1; Obad 1; Nah 1:1). It does not mean a plan or a leader's goals.

Ezekiel · 7
  1. Ezekiel 7:13 חָז֤וֹן [the] vision

    The seller will surely not recover what he sold while both remain alive. For the vision concerning the whole multitude will not be revoked, and because of their iniquity, not one of them will preserve his life.

  2. Ezekiel 7:26 חָזוֹן֙ a vision

    Disaster upon disaster will come, and rumor after rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but instruction from the priests will perish, as will counsel from the elders.

    Here: A revelation given to a prophet: a word from God that tells people what is happening and what to do.

  3. Ezekiel 12:22 חָזֽוֹן׃ vision

    “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by, and every vision fails’?

    Here: A prophet's revealed message, the word a seer received from God. It is not necessarily something seen, and it is not a personal dream or plan. Here it means above all the prophecies that Jerusalem would be judged.

  4. Ezekiel 12:23 חָזֽוֹן׃ vision

    Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will put an end to this proverb, and in Israel they will no longer recite it.’ But say to them: ‘The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled.

  5. Ezekiel 12:24 חֲז֥וֹן vision of

    For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations within the house of Israel,

  6. Ezekiel 12:27 הֶחָז֛וֹן the vision

    “Son of man, take note that the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now; he prophesies about the distant future.’

  7. Ezekiel 13:16 חֲז֣וֹן a vision of

    those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw a vision of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Lord GOD.’

Daniel · 12
  1. Daniel 1:17 חָז֖וֹן vision

    To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

    Here: A revelatory sight, the standard word for a prophetic vision (compare Isa 1:1; Dan 8:1). It points ahead to Daniel's own visions in chapters 7–12.

  2. Daniel 8:1 חָז֞וֹן a vision

    In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, subsequent to the one that had appeared to me earlier.

  3. Daniel 8:2 בֶּחָזוֹן֒ בֶּֽחָז֔וֹן in the vision

    And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal.

    Here: 'In the vision', meaning the vision just announced in 8:1. The phrase marks everything that follows, including where Daniel finds himself, as part of the vision.

  4. Daniel 8:13 הֶחָז֤וֹן [will be] the vision

    Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long until the fulfillment of the vision of the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?”

    Here: The vision Daniel has just seen, here meaning what it describes: how long will what the vision shows go on?

  5. Daniel 8:15 הֶחָז֑וֹן the vision

    While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.

  6. Daniel 8:17 הֶחָזֽוֹן׃ the vision

    As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”

    Here: "The vision." This is the ram-and-goat vision of 8:1–14, a revelation that must be explained and that points to the future.

  7. Daniel 8:26 הֶֽחָז֔וֹן the vision

    The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been spoken is true. Now you must seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”

    Here: The standard word for a prophet's revelatory vision. Here it seems to cover the whole revelation of chapter 8 (compare 8:1, 2, 13, 15, 17), not only the 'evening and morning' part.

  8. Daniel 9:21 בֶחָז֤וֹן in the vision

    while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.

    Here: Ḥāzôn is the technical word for a prophetic vision. In Daniel it marks the revelation of chapter 8 (8:1, 2, 13, 15, 26), which Gabriel had been sent to explain.

  9. Daniel 9:24 חָז֣וֹן vision

    Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

    Here: 'Vision', without 'the'. It covers prophetic revelation in general, including Jeremiah's word Daniel had been puzzling over.

  10. Daniel 10:14 חָז֖וֹן [the] vision

    Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”

    Here: A prophetic revelation received by 'seeing.' In Daniel the word covers both what is seen and the message it carries. Here it means the revelation about to be given (chapters 11–12), or the series of revelations Daniel has had.

  11. Daniel 11:14 חָז֖וֹן [the] vision

    In those times many will rise up against the king of the South. Violent ones among your own people will exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they will fail.

Hosea · 1
  1. Hosea 12:10 חָז֣וֹן vision[s]

    I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.

    Here: Singular, used as a collective: prophetic revelation as a whole, whether seen or heard. It is the standard heading word for a prophet's message (Isa 1:1; Obad 1; Nah 1:1).

Obadiah · 1
  1. Obadiah 1:1 חֲז֖וֹן [the] vision of

    This is the vision of Obadiah: This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, “Rise up, and let us go to battle against her!”—

    Here: A standard title word for a prophet's whole message, as in Isaiah 1:1 and Nahum 1:1. It marks what follows as revelation from God. It does not have to mean that Obadiah saw a picture.

Micah · 1
  1. Micah 3:6 מֵֽחָז֔וֹן from vision

    Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them.

    Here: The prefix "from" here means "away from, so that there is no": a night with no vision in it. The very thing these men sold, a "seeing" from God, is what they will lose.

Nahum · 1
  1. Nahum 1:1 חֲז֛וֹן [the] vision of

    This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

    Here: What a prophet was given to perceive from God. It names the source of the scroll's contents: received revelation, not political opinion or personal hatred of Assyria.

Habakkuk · 2
  1. Habakkuk 2:2 חָז֔וֹן [the] vision

    Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it.

    Here: The prophetic revelation God is giving. Hebrew has no 'the' here ('a vision', as YLT has it), but context shows the specific revelation of 2:3–20 is meant. It is something received from God, not something the prophet imagined or planned.

  2. Habakkuk 2:3 חָזוֹן֙ [the] vision

    For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.

    Here: The revelation God has just given the prophet, here his announced judgment on Babylon. It is God's message, not a human plan or hope.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.