The meaning of “חָשַׁב”
Understanding châshab reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
(make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, ...
חָשַׁב
(make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. - properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate - figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense) - hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 38:15 | “When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.” Word: חָשַׁב (châshab) | |
| Joshua 13:3 | “From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:” Word: חָשַׁב (châshab) | |
| 2 Chronicles 9:20 | “And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold: none were of silver; it was not any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.” Word: חָשַׁב (châshab) | |
| Proverbs 17:28 | “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. ” Word: חָשַׁב (châshab) | |
| Daniel 11:25 | “And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.” Word: חָשַׁב (châshab) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Impute
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: To reckon, count, impute
The Hebrew chashav (חָשַׁב) means to reckon or count—crediting something to someone's account. God 'counted' Abraham's faith 'to him for righteousness' (Genesis 15:6).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: To reckon, impute, count
The Greek logizomai (λογίζομαι) means to reckon or credit—an accounting term. Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers: 'faith is counted for righteousness' (Romans 4:5).