Lexical Summary taab or taeb: To desire, to long for, to crave Original Word: תָּאַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance long A primitive root; to desire -- long. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to long for NASB Translation long (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [תָּאֵב, תָּאֵב] verb long for (Late Hebrew id., תִּיאֲבוֺן desire; Aramaic תְּאֵב, תְּאִיב long for; ? secondary √ from אָבָה, or denominative from תַּאֲבָה, and this from אבה, compare Buhl; but see Ol§ 137); — Qal Perfect1singular תִּאַ֫בְתִּי, with ל thing, Psalm 119:40; Psalm 119:174. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Essence תָּאַב expresses an intense inner craving that moves the will toward God-given ends. It is not a fleeting wish but a sustained yearning that seeks satisfaction only in what the Lord supplies. Usage in Scripture The word appears twice, both in Psalm 119, the psalm that extols the sufficiency of divine revelation. In both verses the psalmist unites desire for God’s Word with desire for God’s saving intervention, showing that Scripture and salvation belong together. Literary Significance within Psalm 119 Psalm 119 is arranged alphabetically to teach, memorize, and celebrate the Torah. Each occurrence of תָּאַב falls near the close of a stanza (verses 40 and 174), functioning as a climactic confession: the psalmist has surveyed the perfections of God’s law and now declares a wholehearted longing for them to be fully realized in personal experience. Theological Themes 1. Longing for Revelation. The precepts of God are not merely legal demands; they reveal His righteous character (119:40). To long for them is to long for the Lord Himself. Historical and Covenant Perspective For Israel, the Torah was both constitution and covenant charter. In exile or distress, faithful Israelites turned to the written Word as the unbreakable witness of God’s promises (Psalm 119:49). The psalmist’s longing therefore carries historical weight: it recalls Sinai, anticipates restoration, and anchors hope in the God who keeps covenant love (Deuteronomy 7:9). Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching and Teaching. Emphasize that true revival is inseparable from renewed appetite for Scripture. New Testament Fulfillment The longing for salvation finds its answer in Jesus Christ, whose name means “The LORD saves.” He embodies the Word (John 1:14) and grants life to those who believe (John 5:24). The early church mirrors the psalmist’s appetite, devoting itself “to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42) and awaiting the Savior’s return (Philippians 3:20). Related Biblical Concepts • כָּמַהּ (“yearn,” Psalm 42:1) – picturing a deer panting for water. Devotional Reflection Every Christian generation must decide whether it will merely respect Scripture or actively long for it. תָּאַב reminds us that the heart that hungers for the Word will be the heart most ready to receive the life and salvation God delights to give. Forms and Transliterations תָּאַ֣בְתִּי תאבתי tā’aḇtî tā·’aḇ·tî taAvtiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 119:40 HEB: הִ֭נֵּה תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לְפִקֻּדֶ֑יךָ בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥ NAS: Behold, I long for Your precepts; KJV: Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: INT: Behold long your precepts your righteousness Psalm 119:174 2 Occurrences |