תִּקְוָה (tiq.vah)
tiq.vah
cord; hope
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 28 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tiqwah carries a dual meaning that bridges the physical and the emotional: it denotes both a cord or rope and the abstract concept of hope. This etymology suggests that biblical hope is not merely a fleeting wish but something substantial, like a tether that holds a person fast to their future or to God. In this sense, tiqwah represents a confident expectation grounded in reality rather than fantasy.
The word appears twenty-eight times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Job and Proverbs where it often describes the outcome of trusting in divine justice. For instance, Job speaks of his hope as a cord that remains even when his flesh perishes (Job 14:19), illustrating resilience. Similarly, Proverbs uses the term to contrast the stability of those who trust in the Lord against the instability of the wicked, framing hope as a structural support for life.
Translators typically render tiqwah as "hope," though it can also mean the object of that hope or the ground upon which it rests. This nuance highlights that biblical hope is relational and tangible. It is not an abstract feeling but a firm attachment to what God has promised, 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 tiqwah carries a beautiful physical image alongside its spiritual meaning. It translates as both "hope" and "cord." This connection reminds us that biblical hope is not a vague wish or a fleeting emotion. Instead, it is a tangible tether that holds us fast to God’s promises. When life feels unstable, this hope acts like an anchor, providing stability and security in uncertain times.
Scripture often contrasts the fate of those who trust in the Lord with those who rely on their own strength. The righteous find their tiqwah secure, while the hopes of the wicked perish like dry grass. This distinction shows that true hope is relational. It rests on the character and faithfulness of God, not on our circumstances or abilities.
Even in seasons of deep sorrow, this concept offers comfort. Job describes his hope as a cord that remains even when his body fails. You can hold onto this assurance that your trust in God is substantial. It is a firm attachment to the future He has prepared, giving you peace today and confidence for tomorrow.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 28 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] hope6×
- hope5×
- and/ [the] hope of3×
- and/ hope/ your2×
- and/ hope/ my2×
- [the] cord of2×
- hope/ your1×
- hope/ my1×
- and/ hope/ their1×
- and/ a hope1×
- [the] hope of1×
- [is] hope/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּקְוָ֑ה4×
- וְ/תִקְוַ֖ת3×
- תִּקְוָֽה\׃2×
- תִּקְוָ֖ה2×
- תִקְוָתִ֑/י2×
- וְ֝/תִקְוָתִ֗/י2×
- וְ֝/תִקְוָתְ/ךָ֗2×
- תִּקְוָתִֽ/י\׃1×
- תִּקְוָ֥ה1×
- תִּקְוַ֥ת1×
- תִּקְוַ֣ת1×
- תִּקְוַ֡ת1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
This verse explicitly links God's thoughts of peace with the gift of hope and a future, showing that tiqwah is rooted in His intentional plan rather than human effort.
-
Job 14:19
The waters wear the stones. The torrents of it wash away the dust of the earth. So you destroy the hope of man.
Job uses the imagery of flowing water wearing away stone to show how external forces can destroy human hope, highlighting its vulnerability without divine sustenance.
-
Proverbs 10:28
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.
The proverb contrasts the joyous prospect of the righteous with the perishing hope of the wicked, illustrating that moral integrity is tied to lasting spiritual security.
-
Psalms 71:5
For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh, my confidence from my youth.
Here the psalmist identifies God Himself as his hope and confidence from youth, demonstrating that tiqwah can refer to the person in whom one trusts rather than just an abstract feeling.