יָחִיל (ya.chil)
ya.chil
waiting
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb yachil conveys the active posture of waiting with hope. It is not a passive endurance but an expectant looking forward for something specific to arrive. This word captures the tension between present hardship and future expectation, where the heart remains fixed on a promised outcome despite current circumstances.
Its usage is remarkably concentrated in Scripture, appearing only once in Lamentations 3:26. Here, it serves as the foundation for a call to patience: "It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." In this context, yachil describes the disciplined hope required when facing national disaster, linking quiet endurance with trust in divine deliverance.
Translators often render this term as "wait" or "hope," reflecting its dual nature. The word implies a steadfast gaze toward God’s intervention, suggesting that true waiting is an act of faith rather than mere delay. It reminds readers that hope in Scripture is often an active, quiet strength maintained through uncertainty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels heavy, waiting can seem like a passive state of mere delay. Yet this Hebrew word reveals something deeper: it is an active posture of hope. It suggests that standing still before God is not doing nothing; it is trusting Him to act in His time. This quiet strength requires us to keep our eyes fixed on His promises, even when the path ahead is unclear.
In Lamentations 3:26, we are told it is good to wait quietly for the Lord's salvation. This does not mean ignoring pain or denying hardship. Instead, it invites us to anchor our hearts in divine deliverance while we walk through difficult seasons. Such patience is a disciplined hope that refuses to give up on God's faithfulness.
This kind of waiting brings peace to the anxious soul. It reminds us that we do not have to force outcomes or rush into solutions. By resting in God's timing, we acknowledge His sovereignty and care. May you find comfort in knowing that your quiet trust is seen and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ waiting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/יָחִיל֙1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 3:26
It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of Yahweh.
This verse uniquely defines the word as a disciplined, quiet hope for salvation amidst national disaster.