Quick Answer: How to Say Hope in Hebrew
Hope in Hebrew is:
Meaning: Hope, expectation, cord, rope
How to Pronounce Tikvah
The Hebrew word תִּקְוָה (tikvah) is pronounced tik-VAH.
Pronunciation Breakdown
- תִּקְ (tik) - Sounds like "tik" (the "i" as in "bit", the "k" as in "kite")
- וָה (vah) - Sounds like "VAH" (the "a" as in "father", emphasis on this syllable)
Stress: The emphasis is on the final syllable: tik-VAH
Practice Saying Tikvah
Try saying it slowly: tik (pause) VAH
Then say it faster: tik-VAH
Tip: The word has two syllables. The "v" sound is like the English "v" in "very."
What Does Tikvah Mean?
The Hebrew word תִּקְוָה (tikvah) is translated as "hope," but its meaning is deeper and more concrete than the English word. Tikvah encompasses:
🌟 Hope
Confident expectation and anticipation of good
⏳ Expectation
Waiting with anticipation for what is to come
🪢 Cord/Rope
Literally means "cord" - hope is like a rope we hold onto
🎯 Goal
The object of one's hope or expectation
Key Insight: Tikvah comes from the root ק.ו.ה (q.v.h), which means "to wait, to hope, to expect." Interestingly, tikvah literally means "cord" or "rope" - the same word used for Rahab's scarlet cord in Joshua 2:18. This connection shows that biblical hope is not wishful thinking, but a strong cord we hold onto, connecting us to God's promises. Hope in Hebrew is active waiting with confident expectation.
How to Use Tikvah
Tikvah appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in various contexts. Here's how it's used:
1. Hope in God
Tikvah is used to describe confident expectation in God:
Jeremiah 29:11:
כִּי אָנֹכִי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת הַמַּחֲשָׁבוֹת אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי חֹשֵׁב עֲלֵיכֶם נְאֻם יְהוָה מַחְשְׁבוֹת שָׁלוֹם וְלֹא לְרָעָה לָתֵת לָכֶם אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָה
Ki anochi yadati et hamachashavot asher anochi choshev aleichem ne'um Adonai machshavot shalom velo lera'ah latet lachem acharit vetikvah
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"
This famous verse shows that tikvah is something God gives - a future and a hope that comes from Him.
2. Hope as a Cord
Tikvah literally means "cord" or "rope," showing hope as something tangible:
Joshua 2:18:
אֶת תִּקְוַת חוּט הַשָּׁנִי
Et tikvat chut hashani
"The cord of scarlet thread"
Rahab's scarlet cord (tikvah) was her hope for salvation. The same word for "cord" is the word for "hope" - showing that hope is like a rope we hold onto.
3. Hope of Israel
Tikvah is used to describe the hope of the nation of Israel:
Jeremiah 14:8:
תִּקְוַת יִשְׂרָאֵל
Tikvat Yisrael
"The hope of Israel"
God is called "the hope of Israel" - the one in whom the nation places its confident expectation.
Biblical Significance of Tikvah
Tikvah is central to the biblical understanding of how we wait for and expect God's promises. Here are key biblical concepts involving tikvah:
Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans for Hope
לָתֵת לָכֶם אַחֲרִית וְתִקְוָה
Latet lachem acharit vetikvah
"To give you a future and a hope"
Even in exile, God promises His people a future and a hope (tikvah). This shows that biblical hope is not wishful thinking, but confident expectation based on God's character and promises.
Joshua 2:18 - Rahab's Scarlet Cord
אֶת תִּקְוַת חוּט הַשָּׁנִי
Et tikvat chut hashani
"The cord of scarlet thread"
Rahab's scarlet cord (tikvah) was literally her hope for salvation. The same word means both "cord" and "hope," showing that hope is like a rope we hold onto - tangible and strong.
Proverbs 13:12 - Hope Deferred
תּוֹחֶלֶת מְמֻשָּׁכָה מַחֲלָה לֵב
Tochelet memushakah machalah lev
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick"
This verse (using tochelet, a synonym of tikvah) shows the power of hope - when it's delayed, it affects us deeply. But when hope is fulfilled, it brings life.
Practical Tips for Understanding Tikvah
How to Study
- Practice pronunciation: Say "tik-VAH" slowly, emphasizing the final syllable
- Understand the connection: Remember that tikvah means both "hope" and "cord" - hope is like a rope we hold onto
- Read Jeremiah 29:11: This key verse shows God's plans to give us a future and a hope
- Study biblical examples: Look at Rahab's scarlet cord, the hope of Israel, and how hope sustains God's people
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