שֵׂ֫בֶר (se.ver)
se.ver
hope
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun se.ver carries the simple, direct meaning of hope. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the Psalms, anchoring the psalmist’s trust in God’s future faithfulness.
Its rarity makes each occurrence significant. In Psalm 39:7 and Psalm 130:5, it describes a quiet, steady waiting on the Lord rather than an active pursuit of desire. This usage distinguishes it from words for wish or longing; se.ver implies a confident expectation rooted in God’s character.
Translators consistently render it as "hope," capturing its essence without adding emotional flourish. The word stands as a testament to patient trust, reminding readers that hope in Scripture is often an act of stillness and reliance on divine promise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels unstable, holding onto a steady expectation can be difficult. The Hebrew word se.ver appears only twice in Scripture, describing a quiet confidence that does not rely on changing circumstances. It suggests a trust rooted in who God is, rather than what we might wish for.
In Psalm 146:5, the psalmist finds happiness because his hope rests in Yahweh. This is not a passive waiting but an active reliance on divine faithfulness. For your daily walk, this reminds us that our security comes from anchoring ourselves in God’s character, allowing peace to settle over anxious thoughts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hope/ his1×
- from/ hope/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׂ֝בְר֗/וֹ1×
- מִ/שִּׂבְרִֽ/י\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 146:5
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God,
This verse defines true happiness as the state of having one's hope fixed directly on Yahweh, highlighting the word's focus on relational trust rather than abstract desire.
-
Psalms 119:116
Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Here the psalmist asks for support to live by God's word so that he is not ashamed of his hope, linking the expectation directly to obedience and endurance.