מִבְטָח (miv.tach)
miv.tach
confidence
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun mivtach describes a deep sense of trust or security, often translated as "confidence" or "refuge." It appears twelve times in the Hebrew Bible, with significant usage in Proverbs, Job, and Jeremiah. The word captures both the act of placing one’s trust in something and the resulting state of feeling secure because of that trust.
In Proverbs, mivtach frequently contrasts with fear or anxiety, suggesting that wisdom leads to a stable inner peace. For example, Proverbs 14:26 links it directly to "a strong confidence" found in the fear of the Lord, while Proverbs 18:10 calls the name of the Lord a "strong tower" where the righteous run and are safe—implying that true mivtach is rooted in divine reliability rather than human strength.
The term also carries the nuance of an object of confidence. In Jeremiah 17:7, those who trust in the Lord are described as having their mivtach in Him, highlighting a relational dependence. This usage shows that mivtach is not merely abstract optimism but a concrete reliance on a trustworthy source, providing stability in uncertain circumstances.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mivtach describes a deep sense of trust or security that anchors the soul. It is not just a fleeting feeling of optimism, but a concrete reliance on a trustworthy source. When we place our confidence in the Lord, we find a stability that remains firm even when circumstances shift around us.
This kind of security is rooted in divine reliability rather than human strength. As seen in Proverbs 14:26, those who fear the Lord possess a secure fortress. This refuge protects their hearts from anxiety and provides a steady foundation for daily life. It invites us to rest in His character instead of worrying about outcomes we cannot control.
When trouble comes, it is natural to seek safety in people or plans. Yet mivtach reminds us that true peace comes only from God. By fixing our hope on Him, we gain a quiet confidence that sustains us through uncertainty and brings lasting inner peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- trust/ his3×
- trust/ your1×
- trust/ their1×
- trust/ its1×
- security/ my1×
- security1×
- confidence/ my1×
- confidence of1×
- [the] trust of1×
- <in>/ objects of confidence/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִבְטַחֽ/וֹ\׃2×
- מִבְטָ֥ח1×
- מִבְטַחֶ֑/ךָ1×
- מִבְטַחִֽ/י\׃1×
- מִבְטַחִ֥/י1×
- מִבְטַחִ֔ים1×
- מִבְטַח֑/וֹ1×
- מִבְטַח\־1×
- מִבְטֶחָֽ/ם\׃1×
- מִבְטֶחָֽ/ה\׃1×
- בְּ/מִבְטַחַ֔יִ/ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
This verse directly links the fear of the Lord to possessing a secure fortress, showing that true confidence is a result of reverence for God.
-
Jeremiah 17:7
“Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose confidence is in Yahweh.
Here the word describes the blessed state of a person whose trust is firmly placed in Yahweh rather than in human effort.
-
Job 8:14
whose confidence will break apart, whose trust is a spider’s web.
This occurrence serves as a warning that confidence built on fragile or false foundations will ultimately break apart under pressure.
-
Psalms 71:5
For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh, my confidence from my youth.
The psalmist identifies God as his confidence from youth, illustrating a lifelong relational dependence on divine faithfulness.