Lexical Summary bittachon: Trust, confidence, security Original Word: בִּטָּחוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance confidence, hope From batach; trust -- confidence, hope. see HEBREW batach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom batach Definition trust NASB Translation confidence (2), hope (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בִּטָּחוֺן noun masculine trust 2 Kings 18:19 = Isaiah 36:4; hope Ecclesiastes 9:4. Topical Lexicon Thematic Overview בִּטָּחוֹן (bit·ta·chón) describes a state of secure confidence. Whether that confidence is well-placed or misplaced depends on its object. In Scripture the word exposes the fragility of human supports and contrasts them with the unshakable safety found in the LORD. Occurrences in Canonical Context 1. Rabshakeh’s Challenge to Judah – 2 Kings 18:19; Isaiah 36:4 The Assyrian spokesman taunts Hezekiah: “What is this confidence in which you trust?”. Judah’s “confidence” appears groundless when measured by political and military logic, yet the narrative shows that trust in God, not human calculation, ultimately delivers Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:32-36). 2. The Preacher’s Observation – Ecclesiastes 9:4 “Anyone who is among the living has hope [bitachon]—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!”. Here the term points to the slender but real advantage the living possess: opportunity to fear God and keep His commandments before judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Historical Significance In the eighth century B.C., Judah was tempted to look to Egypt for military security. The Assyrian invasion laid bare the impotence of such alliances. Bitachon becomes a diagnostic word: it asks every generation where its ultimate security rests. The Chronicler later commemorates Hezekiah’s deliverance (2 Chronicles 32:20-22) as proof that covenant faithfulness, not foreign treaties, secures a nation. Theological Significance Bitachon moves beyond psychological assurance; it is covenantal. True security is anchored in the character of God (Psalm 27:1; Proverbs 3:26). When placed in human strength, wealth, or political alliances, confidence becomes an idol and collapses (Jeremiah 17:5-8). When placed in the LORD, confidence produces steadfast obedience and fearless witness (Proverbs 14:26; Acts 4:13). Thus the word foreshadows the New Testament call to “draw near with confidence” through Christ (Hebrews 10:19). Pastoral and Missional Application • Preaching: Contrast false and true securities, urging hearers to trust the finished work of Jesus Christ rather than cultural power or personal merit. Intertextual Echoes Bitachon resonates with: The sparse distribution of the term heightens its impact: every occurrence forces a decision about the object of one’s security. Scripture consistently steers the reader from fragile human supports to the sure foundation found in the covenant-keeping God revealed fully in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations בִּטָּח֑וֹן בטחון הַבִּטָּח֛וֹן הבטחון biṭ·ṭā·ḥō·wn bittaChon biṭṭāḥōwn hab·biṭ·ṭā·ḥō·wn habbittaChon habbiṭṭāḥōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 18:19 HEB: אַשּׁ֔וּר מָ֧ה הַבִּטָּח֛וֹן הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר NAS: is this confidence that you have? KJV: of Assyria, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest? INT: of Assyria What confidence is this which Ecclesiastes 9:4 Isaiah 36:4 3 Occurrences |
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