Lexical Summary tocheleth: Hope Original Word: תּוֹחֶלֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Toah From yachal; expectation -- hope. see HEBREW yachal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yachal Definition a hope NASB Translation expectation (1), hope (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs תּוֺחֶ֫לֶת noun feminine hope, absolute ׳ת Proverbs 13:12; construct id. Proverbs 10:28; Proverbs 11:7; suffix תּוֺחַלְתִּי Psalm 39:8; Lamentations 3:18; תֹּחַלְתּוֺ Job 41:1; — hope, followed by subject Genitive Job 41:1; Proverbs 10:28; Proverbs 11:7; Lamentations 3:18; followed by subject Genitive + לְ Psalm 39:8 (תּוֺחַלְתִּי לְךָ); alone Proverbs 13:12. Topical Lexicon Overview תּוֹחֶלֶת expresses an “expectation” that looks forward, whether positively (confident anticipation) or negatively (empty wishing). Though infrequent—occurring six times—it traces a theological trajectory that moves from human frailty to steadfast reliance on the covenant-keeping God. Canonical Distribution • Wisdom literature: Job 41:9; Proverbs 10:28; Proverbs 11:7; Proverbs 13:12 Contours in Wisdom Literature Proverbs employs the term to draw a sharp contrast between those whose hope is anchored in righteousness and those whose hope is self-centered. “The hope of the righteous is joy” (Proverbs 10:28), yet “when the wicked man dies, his hope perishes” (Proverbs 11:7). Here תּוֹחֶלֶת is not an abstract emotion; it is morally charged, reflecting the character of the one who hopes. Wisdom teaching thus links hope to ethical living and ultimate destiny—anticipating New Testament assertions that “this hope we have as an anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). In Proverbs 13:12, hope functions psychologically and relationally: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” The proverb acknowledges the ache of delayed gratification while hinting that God intends eventual satisfaction. Ministry to discouraged believers often begins with this verse, validating emotional pain without conceding to despair. Job 41:9 shifts the focus from moral to existential helplessness: “Any hope of overcoming him is false.” Confronted by Leviathan, human self-reliance crumbles. The verse warns against misplaced confidence and nudges readers toward dependence on the Almighty. Hope in Suffering and Lament Psalm 39:7 encapsulates the psalmist’s solitary refuge: “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” The surrounding verses describe life as a fleeting vapor, making hope in God the only logical response to mortality. Lamentations 3:18 voices the low point of exile: “My strength has perished, along with my hope from the LORD.” Yet the poet’s confession sets the stage for the hymn of mercies in verses 22–24. תּוֹחֶלֶת here forms the pivot from despair to declaration that “The LORD is my portion.” Pastoral care often rests on this movement: honest lament leading to renewed confidence in divine faithfulness. Eschatological and Christological Trajectory Although תּוֹחֶלֶת never appears in explicitly messianic prophecies, its conceptual field paves the way for later revelation. The Old Testament tension between deferred and fulfilled hope is resolved in Jesus Christ, who embodies the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). The Proverbs promise of “a longing fulfilled” anticipates the gospel proclamation that in Christ every promise is “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Practical and Pastoral Applications 1. Discipleship: Teach believers to distinguish godly expectation from wishful thinking, rooting hope in God’s character. Summary תּוֹחֶלֶת is a slender thread running through Scripture, yet it weaves together wisdom, lament, and praise. Whether exposing false security, confronting deferred desires, or affirming trust in the Lord, it calls every generation to a hope that will not disappoint because it rests in the character and promises of God. Forms and Transliterations וְתוֹחֶ֖לֶת וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י ותוחלת ותוחלתי תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹ תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗י תּוֹחֶ֣לֶת תוחלת תוחלתי תחלתו tō·ḥal·tōw tō·w·ḥal·tî tō·w·ḥe·leṯ tochalTi tochalTo toChelet tōḥaltōw tōwḥaltî tōwḥeleṯ vetochalTi vetoChelet wə·ṯō·w·ḥal·tî wə·ṯō·w·ḥe·leṯ wəṯōwḥaltî wəṯōwḥeleṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 41:9 HEB: הֵן־ תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹ נִכְזָ֑בָה הֲגַ֖ם NAS: Behold, your expectation is FALSE; KJV: Behold, the hope of him is in vain: INT: Behold your expectation is false even Psalm 39:7 Proverbs 10:28 Proverbs 11:7 Proverbs 13:12 Lamentations 3:18 6 Occurrences |
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