חָזוֹן

The Hebrew noun חָזוֹן (khazon) refers to a vision, a type of communication from God to humanity. This can manifest in various ways, such as a dream while sleeping, an ecstatic experience while awake, or a prophetic revelation. It signifies a divine insight or message, often conveying knowledge about future events or God's will.

The concept of חָזוֹן is central to prophetic literature, where prophets often received their messages through such visions. These visions were not merely predictions but often contained divine instruction, warnings, or promises. The "book of the vision" of a prophet, such as Nahum, indicates that the entire prophetic message originated from such a divine encounter. The absence of חָזוֹן, as described in 1 Samuel 3:1, signifies a time when direct divine communication was rare, highlighting the preciousness of God's word.

In the book of Daniel, חָזוֹן frequently refers to detailed, often symbolic, revelations concerning historical events and the future of kingdoms. Daniel himself is depicted as having understanding in all visions and dreams, indicating a special gift for interpreting these divine communications. The sealing of the vision and prophecy in Daniel 9:24 suggests a culmination or fulfillment of these divine revelations.