תָּאַב (ta.av)
ta.av
to long for
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ta’av means to long for or desire something deeply. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the Psalms, where it captures an intense spiritual hunger rather than a casual wish.
In Psalm 42:1 and Psalm 84:2, the psalmist uses this word to describe a soul that is parched for God’s presence. The imagery suggests a thirst so strong it defines the person’s entire existence. This usage highlights that true devotion involves a profound, almost physical yearning for connection with the Divine.
While rare in Scripture, its concentrated use in these poetic texts gives it significant weight. It reminds readers that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, heartfelt craving for God’s nearness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read that the psalmist longs for God’s precepts or salvation, we are seeing a faith that feels like thirst. This Hebrew word describes a deep, physical craving rather than a casual wish. It reminds us that genuine devotion involves an intense yearning for connection with the Divine. Your own spiritual hunger is not a sign of weakness but a natural response to recognizing how much you need God’s presence in your life.
This kind of longing shapes our entire existence. It moves faith beyond simple intellectual agreement into a heartfelt desire for nearness. When you feel distant or dry, remember that this deep ache is actually a bridge back to Him. You can bring these raw feelings directly to the Lord, knowing He values your sincere pursuit over perfect performance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I long2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תָּאַ֣בְתִּי2×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 119:40
Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. VAV
The psalmist links this deep longing for God's instructions with a request for revival, showing that spiritual hunger precedes spiritual renewal.
-
Psalms 119:174
I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
Here the desire for salvation is paired with delight in the law, illustrating that true hope for God's deliverance is rooted in His word.