הַבְטָחָה
Havtachah
Promise, assurance, pledge
Havtachah (הַבְטָחָה) is a Hebrew word meaning “promise, assurance, pledge,” pronounced “hav-ta-KHAH.” Derived from the root ב-ט-ח, havtachah appears 182 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H1697).
| Hebrew | הַבְטָחָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Havtachah |
| Pronunciation | hav-ta-KHAH |
| Meaning | Promise, assurance, pledge |
| Root Letters | ב-ט-ח |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 182× |
| Key Verse | 2 Peter 1:4 |
| Strong's Number | H1697 |
| Category | Covenant & Theology |
The word havtachah (הַבְטָחָה) — promise — carries a weight in Hebrew that the English word often lacks. It comes from the root batach, meaning 'to trust, to feel safe, to be secure.' A promise in Hebrew is not merely a verbal commitment; it is a security, a foundation upon which you can build your entire life. When God promises, He is not simply saying He will do something — He is creating a reality so certain that you can rest on it with your full weight. The Hebrew Bible is, in one sense, a book of divine havtachot (promises): God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5) and a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). He promised David an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:16), Israel a return from exile (Jeremiah 29:10), and all creation a future Redeemer (Genesis 3:15). Remarkably, the Bible never records God making a promise He did not keep. Every fulfilled prophecy is a kept havtachah. This matters because the God who kept every past promise is the same God making promises about your future. When Peter writes about God's 'precious and very great havtachot' (2 Peter 1:4), he means that the promises of God are not wishful thinking — they are the most secure reality in the universe, more solid than the ground beneath your feet. Understanding havtachah transforms fear into faith, because every promise God makes is backed by His character, His power, and His track record of four thousand years of faithfulness.
Key Bible Verse: 2 Peter 1:4
“By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises (havtachot), so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.”
What Is the Root of Havtachah in Hebrew?
Havtachah comes from the root ב-ט-ח (bet-tet-chet), meaning 'to trust, to be secure, to feel safe.' A promise (havtachah) in Hebrew is linguistically tied to security and safety — God's promises are the safest ground you can stand on. The related word 'bitachon' means 'trust, confidence, security' and is central to Jewish theology.
What Does Havtachah Mean in the Bible?
While the noun havtachah itself is more common in rabbinic literature, the root b-t-ch appears over 180 times in the Hebrew Bible, almost always in the context of trusting or feeling secure. The concept of divine promise pervades Scripture through expressions like 'God said' (vayomer Elohim), 'God swore' (nishba), and 'the word of the LORD came' (d'var YHWH). Key promises include Genesis 12:1-3 (Abrahamic), 2 Samuel 7 (Davidic), and Jeremiah 31:31-34 (New Covenant).
How Is Havtachah Used in Modern Hebrew?
The concept of bitachon (trust/security from the same root as havtachah) is a major theme in Jewish spiritual life. The 'Chovot HaLevavot' (Duties of the Heart), a medieval Jewish classic, devotes an entire section to bitachon — trusting completely in God's promises. In modern Hebrew, 'havtachah' is used for everyday promises, but 'bitachon' has taken on an additional meaning: national security — reflecting how deeply the concept of God-given security permeates Israeli culture.
How to Use Havtachah in Prayer & Worship
Stand on God's havtachot — His promises — as the firmest ground in the universe. When anxiety rises, counter it with a specific promise from Scripture. The God who promised Abraham descendants as many as the stars, and delivered, is making promises about your future too. Trust the track record.
Frequently Asked Questions About Havtachah
How do you say “Promise” in Hebrew?
“Promise” in Hebrew is Havtachah (הַבְטָחָה), pronounced “hav-ta-KHAH.” Havtachah comes from the root ב-ט-ח (bet-tet-chet), meaning 'to trust, to be secure, to feel safe.' A promise (havtachah) in Hebrew is linguistically tied to security and safety — God's promises are the safest ground you can stand on. The related word 'bitachon' means 'trust, confidence, security' and is central to Jewish theology.
What does Havtachah mean in the Bible?
Havtachah (הַבְטָחָה) means “Promise, assurance, pledge” in Biblical Hebrew. While the noun havtachah itself is more common in rabbinic literature, the root b-t-ch appears over 180 times in the Hebrew Bible, almost always in the context of trusting or feeling secure. The concept of divine promise pervades Scripture through expressions like 'God said' (vayomer Elohim), 'God swore' (nishba), and 'the word of the LORD came' (d'var YHWH). Key promises include Genesis 12:1-3 (Abrahamic), 2 Samuel 7 (Davidic), and Jeremiah 31:31-34 (New Covenant).
How do you pronounce Havtachah?
Havtachah is pronounced “hav-ta-KHAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ב-ט-ח.
What are the major promises of God in the Bible?
The Bible contains hundreds of divine promises, but several are foundational: (1) The promise of a Redeemer after the Fall (Genesis 3:15); (2) The promise to Abraham of land, descendants, and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:1-3); (3) The promise to David of an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:16); (4) The promise of the New Covenant — God's law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34); (5) The promise of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29); (6) The promise of Christ's return and the new heavens and earth (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1-5). Each promise builds upon the previous, forming a single grand narrative of redemption.
Has God ever broken a promise in the Bible?
No. The Bible consistently affirms God's absolute faithfulness to His havtachot. Numbers 23:19 declares: 'God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?' Joshua 23:14 testifies: 'Not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised.' God's perfect track record is the basis for trusting His future promises.
What is the difference between a promise and a covenant?
A havtachah (promise) is a declaration of intent — God stating what He will do. A brit (covenant) is a formal, binding agreement that often includes conditions, signs, and ceremonies. All covenants contain promises, but not all promises are covenants. For example, God's promise to never again flood the earth (Genesis 8:21) was formalized in the Noahic covenant with the rainbow as its sign (Genesis 9:12-17). Covenants are the structural framework; promises are the content within them.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H1697: Havtachah
- Bible Gateway — 2 Peter 1:4 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ב-ט-ח
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