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Psalms 27:14 — Word Study

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WLCקַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־ יְה֫וָ֥ה חֲ֭זַק וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־ יְהוָֽה׃

BSAWait patientlyqâvâh [with confident expectation, trustfully] forʼêl the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the covenant God] be strongchâzaq [courageous, take heart] and courageousʼâmats [bold, fearless] Wait patientlyqâvâh [with hope, in faith] forʼêl the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the loving Savior]

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 27
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 14 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Yah.weh) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 27:14quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist encourages waiting on the Lord with strength and courage.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing the faithful.
Where we areA concluding exhortation in a psalm of trust.
The hard wordחֲ֭זַק
Take awayPatience and strength are essential in trusting God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbקָוָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Psalms 27:14

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — A Psalm of Trustgenerated

11Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.
12Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

Psalm 27:14 encourages believers to wait on the Lord, emphasizing the importance of patience and strength in times of trouble. The psalmist expresses confidence in God's goodness and faithfulness, urging the faithful to remain steadfast and courageous as they await His deliverance. This theme resonates throughout the psalm, where the psalmist reflects on God's protection and guidance amidst adversity.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 25:3–21Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who are faithless without cause will be disgraced.
2Psalm 31:24Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.
3Psalm 33:20Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
4Psalm 62:1–5In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him.
5Psalm 130:5I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope.

The Key Word קָוָה, ka.Vehgenerated

The Hebrew word קָוָה (qavah) is a verb that conveys waiting, expecting, and gathering. It suggests not just passive waiting but an active anticipation of what is to come, reflecting a deep trust in God’s promises.

In this verse, it is an imperative, calling the listener to wait patiently for the Lord with confident expectation. The repetition emphasizes the importance of this waiting as a vital part of faith.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The verse consists of multiple clauses, with the main action centered around the verbs קַוֵּ֗ה and חֲ֭זַק. The structure emphasizes the commands to wait and to be strong, creating a rhythm of expectation and encouragement.

The Hebrew word order places the imperative verbs at the forefront, highlighting the urgency of the exhortation to wait and be strong, while the prepositional phrases clarify the direction of this waiting.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates קָוָה as ὑπόμεινον, which means to endure or remain steadfast. This choice emphasizes the active nature of waiting, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but also suggesting a sense of perseverance.

For יְהוָֽה, the LXX uses κύριον, a common rendering that underscores the authority and lordship of God, consistent with the Hebrew text.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalm 27:14 encourages us to wait patiently for the Lord, to be strong and courageous. This verse reminds us of the importance of trusting in God during difficult times, reinforcing the message that we should remain steadfast in our faith.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to wait patiently for the Lord?

Waiting patiently means trusting in God's timing and His plan, even when circumstances are difficult or unclear.

How can I be strong and courageous?

Being strong and courageous involves relying on God's strength and promises, facing challenges with confidence and faith.

Why is repetition important in this verse?

The repetition of 'wait patiently for the Lord' emphasizes the importance of this attitude in our relationship with God.

What can I do while I wait on the Lord?

While waiting, you can pray, seek guidance from Scripture, and encourage others, maintaining a heart of expectation.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to practice waiting on the Lord?
  2. How can I cultivate strength and courage in my daily walk with God?
  3. What does it look like to wait patiently with hope and faith?
  4. How can I support others who are struggling to wait on the Lord?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

The early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss themes of strength and reliance on God, illustrating its significance in spiritual teaching.

Cyril of JerusalemCatechetical Lecture 16:20 c. 313–386
[The Holy Spirit] is called Comforter, because he comforts and encourages us and “helps our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself pleads for us with unutterable groanings,” that is,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 27 →
Evagrius PonticusNOTES ON THE Psalms 26[27].14 345–399
The strong heart is that which is not filled with false doctrines or impure thoughts.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 27 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 27 354–430
"Wait on the Lord, quit yourself like a man: and let your heart be strong, yea wait on the Lord" [Psalms 27:14].
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 27 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 27:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Wait on the Lord,.... This, with what follows, is spoken by the psalmist either to himself or to others, or it may be to both, upon the rich experience he declares in Psalms 27:13: it becomes

Read John Gill on Psalms 27 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Conclusion-summing up the psalm.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 27 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Wait on the Lord, O my soul; to which he now turneth his speech; as he frequently doth in this book. He shall strengthen thine heart; he will uphold thee, and keep thee from fainting and sinking under thy burdens.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 27 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Ver. 14. Wait on the Lord] Expecta, expecta. See how earnest good David is with himself and others; for he knew men’ s dulness, and the difficulty of the duty. Religious men find it more easy to bear evil than to wait till the promised good he enjoyed; Hebrews 10:36, the spoiling of their goods required patience; but this more than ordinary. Let our distance from God, our dependence upon him, and our undone condition without him, be but considered; and we shall be the more willing to wait, yea, to want and go without some things, that we are but too much set upon. Be of good…

Read John Trapp on Psalms 27 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) He shall strengthen.—Better, let thy heart be strong.Wait . . .—Heb., wait for Jehovah, and wait for Jehovah.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 27 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 14. Wait on the Lord] All ye who are in distress, wait on the Lord. Take me for an example. I waited on him, and he strengthened my heart; wait ye on him, and he will strengthen your heart. You cannot be unsuccessful; fear not. Wait, I say, on the Lord; wait for his succour in doing his will. Age viriliter, says the Vulgate; act like a man, hope, believe, work, and fear not. ANALYSIS OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH PSALM There are four general parts in this Psalm. David shows, I. How free he is from fear in any danger; and he shows also the cause of his confidence, Psalms 27:1-3. II. He expresses his love to God's house and his religion, Psalms 27:4-6. III. He prays for succour and support…

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. The Psalmist addresses himself, and encourages himself to patience. His faith rebukes his faintness. Be of good courage] R.V., Be strong, and let thine heart take courage. Cp. Psalms 31:24; Deuteronomy 31:7; Joshua 1:6-7; Joshua 1:9; Joshua 1:18. Wait, I say] R.V., Yea, wait thou. Cp. Psalms 25:3; Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:34; Proverbs 20:22.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 27 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wait on the Lord - This is the sum of all the instruction in the psalm; the main lesson which the psalm is designed to convey.

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 27 →

The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

NETBNew English Translation2006

Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Wait for Jehovah: Be strong, and let thy heart take courage; Yea, wait thou for Jehovah.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Wait on the LORD: be strong, and let thine heart take courage; yea, wait thou on the LORD.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he will strengthen thy heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Hope in the Lord: be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart, and trust in the Lord.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Wait for Jehovah; be strong and let thy heart take courage: yea, wait for Jehovah.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Look unto Jehovah — be strong, And He doth strengthen thy heart, Yea, look unto Jehovah!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Look to YHWH—be strong, || And He strengthens your heart, || Indeed, look to YHWH!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Wait on the Lord; be strong, and let thy heart be of good courage; and only wait on the Lord.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Wait for Yahweh; be strong, and let your heart be courageous! Wait for Yahweh!

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Trust in the Lord! Be confident—he will give you courage! Trust in the Lord!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Let your hope be in the Lord: take heart and be strong; yes, let your hope be in the Lord.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseverbקַוֵּ֗הwaitprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoיְה֫וָ֥הYahwehclauseclauseclauseverbחֲ֭זַקbe.strongוְandclauseverbיַאֲמֵ֣ץlet.it.show.strengthnoun phrase · subjectלִבֶּ֑heartךָyourוְ֝andclauseverbקַוֵּ֗הwaitprepositional phrase · prepositionalאֶלtoיְהוָֽהYahweh

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text reads קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־ יְה֫וָ֥ה חֲ֭זַק וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־ יְהוָֽה׃, while the Septuagint matches it closely, confirming the consistency of the message across these texts. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but align with the Masoretic Text in key terms.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־ יְה֫וָ֥ה חֲ֭זַק וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־ יְהוָֽה׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
קַוֵּ֗הὑπόμεινονאֶל־τὸνיְה֫וָ֥הκύριονחֲ֭זַקἀνδρίζουוְיַאֲמֵ֣ץκραταιούσθωלִבֶּ֑ךָσουוְ֝קַוֵּ֗הὑπόμεινονאֶל־τὸνיְהוָֽה׃κύριον

9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Dead Sea Scrolls — 4Q85a copy a thousand years older than the Leningrad Codex

[קוה] [אל] [יהוה] [חזק] [ויאמץ] לב׳ך [וקוה] [אל] [יהוה]

1 word on the leather — 8 supplied entire by an editor.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Psalms 27:14קָוָהwaitwaitקָוָהאֶלtotoאֶליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוהחָזַקbe strongbe strongחָזַקאָמֵץso may it sso may it show אָמֵץלֵבheart yourheart yourלֵבקָוָהand waitand waitקָוָהאֶלtotoאֶליהוהYahwehYahwehיהוההָיָהto beto beהָיָהלֵבָבheartheartלֵבָביָחַלto wait: wto wait: waitיָחַלפָּלַלto prayto prayפָּלַליִרְמְיָ֫הJeremiahJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֫הנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאבֶ֫דֶקbreachbreachבֶ֫דֶקאָמֵץto strengtto strengthenאָמֵץרְחַבְעָםRehoboamRehoboamרְחַבְעָםחָזַקto strengtto strengthen: חָזַקחָסֵרlackinglackingחָסֵרחָכָםwisewiseחָכָם
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Psalms 27:14

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
קַוֵּ֗הka.Veh wait H6960 Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine singular
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Amplified meaning
with confident expectation, trustfully
Tyndale gloss
to await
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָוָה (qavah) is a Hebrew verb that encompasses the meanings of waiting, expecting, and collecting. It can refer to eagerly waiting or lying in wait, as well as the act of gathering together. The word appears in different forms, including Qal and Piel, indicating various nuances of waiting and collecting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָוָה] vb. wait for

Qal those waiting for

Pi.

wait, or look eagerly, for

lie in wait for

wait (linger) for

base

[קָוָה] vb. collect;—Niph. be collected

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6960a קָוָה wait for . wait, or look eagerly, for

. lie in wait for

. wait (linger) for

H6960b קָוָה collect;—Niph. be collected

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6960 qavah kaw-vaw'

a primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting),

i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect:--gather (together),

look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָוָה (qa.vah) — to await.

1) to wait, look for, hope, expect

1a) (Qal) waiting (participle)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to wait or look eagerly for

1b2) to lie in wait for

1b3) to wait for, linger for

קָוָה (qa.vah) — to collect.

1) to collect, bind together

1a) (Niphal) to be collected

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Piel-Impv-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine singular
HVpv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wat:

1. The Substantive:

The word is used in the Old Testament both as a substantive add as a verb. In the New Testament it appears as a verb only. 'erebh, ma'arabh, mean a concealed hiding-place for purposes of sudden attack, an ambuscade.

(1) "Lie in wait": "Abimelech rose up .... from lying in wait" (Jud 9:35 the King James Version); "When they .... abide in the covert to lie in wait" (Job 38:40).

(2) "Lay wait": "They compassed him in, and laid wait for him" (Jud 16:2).

2. The Verb:

(1) sharath, "to serve," "to minister," to act in the capacity of servant or attendant: "These waited on the king" (2Ch 17:19). Used especially in this sense with regard to the ceremonial service…

wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
יְה֫וָ֥הYah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the covenant God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
חֲ֭זַקCha.zak be strong H2388 Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
291× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Amplified meaning
courageous, take heart
Tyndale gloss
to strengthen: strengthen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חָזַק (chazaq) means to be strong or to strengthen. It encompasses a range of meanings including to support, encourage, and make firm, as well as to seize or hold fast. The word can be used in various forms, such as to strengthen oneself or to display strength. There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָזַק 291 vb. be or grow firm, strong, strengthen

Qal

intrans. be or grow strong

transit. only strengthened him not

Pi.

make strong (physically)

strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage

make strong = bold, encourage

make firm

make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden

Hiph.

make strong, strengthen

make firm, the kingdom

display strength

make severe, of battle

support

= repair

prevail

esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp

Hithp.

strengthen oneself

put forth strength, use one's strength

withstand

hold strongly with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2388 חָזַק be or grow firm, strong, strengthen .. intrans. be or grow strong

. transit. only strengthened him not

. . make strong (physically)

. strengthen the hands (acc.) of anyone, sustain, encourage

. make strong = bold, encourage

. make firm

. make rigid, hard, i.e. perverse, obstinate, harden

. . . make strong, strengthen

. make firm, the kingdom

. display strength

. make severe, of battle

. support

. = repair

. prevail

. esp. take or keep hold of, seize, grasp

. . strengthen oneself

. put forth strength, use one's strength

. withstand

. hold strongly with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2388 chazaq khaw-zak'

a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong

(figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help,

repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer:--aid,

amend, X calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant,

constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly),

encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make

hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play

the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered,

repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be

stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold),

be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חָזַק (cha.zaq) — to strengthen: strengthen.

: strengthen/support/encourage

1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be strong, grow strong

1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon

1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure

1a1c) to press, be urgent

1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense)

1a1e) to be severe, be grievous

1a2) to strengthen

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to make strong

1b2) to restore to strength, give strength

1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage

1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage

1b5) to make firm

1b6) to make rigid, make hard

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to make strong, strengthen

1c2) to make firm

1c3) to display strength

1c4) to make severe

1c5) to support

1c6) to repair

1c7) to prevail, prevail upon

1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support

1c9) to hold, contain

1d) (Hithpael)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singular
HVqv2ms
wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץve.ya.'a.Metz so may it show strength H553 Conjunction · verb hiphil jussive third person masculine singular
41× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this verb means to be strong or courageous, like in Deuteronomy 31:6, where Moses tells the Israelites to be brave. It can also mean to strengthen or secure something. English Bibles often translate it as 'be courageous' or 'strengthen'.
Amplified meaning
bold, fearless
Tyndale gloss
to strengthen
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמֵץ (amats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be strong, bold, or alert. It encompasses a range of actions such as strengthening oneself, being determined, and exhibiting courage. The word can also imply making firm or obstinate. Various forms of the verb express different nuances, including the Qal (to be strong), Piel (to strengthen), and Hithpael (to make oneself alert).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָמֵץ] vb. be stout, strong, bold, alert

Qal

be strong

Imv. be bold

Pi.

make firm, strengthen

assure, secure for oneself

harden, make obstinate

Hithp.

strengthen oneself

confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined

make oneself alert, make haste

Hiph. exhibit strength, be strong

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H553 אָמֵץ be stout, strong, bold, alert .. be strong

. Imv. be bold

. . make firm, strengthen

. assure, secure for oneself

. harden, make obstinate

. . strengthen oneself

. confirm oneself in a purpose, be determined

. make oneself alert, make haste

. exhibit strength, be strong

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

553 'amats aw-mats'

a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or

mentally (in courage):--confirm, be courageous (of good

courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish,

fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make

strong (obstinate, speed).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמֵץ (a.mats) — to strengthen.

1) to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard

1a) (Qal) to be strong, brave, bold

1b) (Piel) to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure

1c) (Hithpael) to be determined, to make oneself alert, strengthen oneself, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to

1d) (Hiphil) to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Conjunction · verb hiphil jussive third person masculine singular
HC/Vhj3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29

wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
לִבֶּ֑ךָli.Be.kha heart your H3820 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
595× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Tyndale gloss
heart
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart

seldom of things in the midst of the sea

elsewhere of men

the inner man in contrast with the outer

the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

specific reference to mind

spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

spec. ref. to conscience

[various]

for the man himself

as seat of appetites

as seat of emotions and passions

seat of courage

base

לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea

. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer

. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

. specific reference to mind

. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will

. spec. ref. to conscience

. [various]

. for the man himself

. as seat of appetites

. as seat of emotions and passions

. seat of courage

H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3820 leb labe

a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very

widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;

likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,

consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),

(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X

heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X

themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,

wisdom.

see HEBREW for 03824

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֵב (lev) — heart.

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)

1a2) heart (of man)

1a3) soul, heart (of man)

1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory

1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)

1a6) conscience

1a7) heart (of moral character)

1a8) as seat of appetites

1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage

לֵב (lev) — Leb.

§ Leb- = "heart of"

(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp2ms
wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
וְ֝קַוֵּ֗הve.ka.Veh and wait H6960 Conjunction · verb piel imperative second person masculine singular
49× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Amplified meaning
with hope, in faith
Tyndale gloss
to await
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

קָוָה (qavah) is a Hebrew verb that encompasses the meanings of waiting, expecting, and collecting. It can refer to eagerly waiting or lying in wait, as well as the act of gathering together. The word appears in different forms, including Qal and Piel, indicating various nuances of waiting and collecting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[קָוָה] vb. wait for

Qal those waiting for

Pi.

wait, or look eagerly, for

lie in wait for

wait (linger) for

base

[קָוָה] vb. collect;—Niph. be collected

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6960a קָוָה wait for . wait, or look eagerly, for

. lie in wait for

. wait (linger) for

H6960b קָוָה collect;—Niph. be collected

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6960 qavah kaw-vaw'

a primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting),

i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect:--gather (together),

look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָוָה (qa.vah) — to await.

1) to wait, look for, hope, expect

1a) (Qal) waiting (participle)

1b) (Piel)

1b1) to wait or look eagerly for

1b2) to lie in wait for

1b3) to wait for, linger for

קָוָה (qa.vah) — to collect.

1) to collect, bind together

1a) (Niphal) to be collected

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Piel-Impv-2ms — Conjunction · verb piel imperative second person masculine singular
HC/Vpv2ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wat:

1. The Substantive:

The word is used in the Old Testament both as a substantive add as a verb. In the New Testament it appears as a verb only. 'erebh, ma'arabh, mean a concealed hiding-place for purposes of sudden attack, an ambuscade.

(1) "Lie in wait": "Abimelech rose up .... from lying in wait" (Jud 9:35 the King James Version); "When they .... abide in the covert to lie in wait" (Job 38:40).

(2) "Lay wait": "They compassed him in, and laid wait for him" (Jud 16:2).

2. The Verb:

(1) sharath, "to serve," "to minister," to act in the capacity of servant or attendant: "These waited on the king" (2Ch 17:19). Used especially in this sense with regard to the ceremonial service…

wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
אֶל־'el- to H413 Preposition
5,518× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Tyndale gloss
to(wards)
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),

prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place

Where the limit is actually entered, into

Of direction towards anything

Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

Of rule or standard according to (rare)

Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place

. Where the limit is actually entered, into

. Of direction towards anything

. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against

. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to

. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of

. Of rule or standard according to (rare)

. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion

. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

413 'el ale

(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});

a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but

occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or

among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,

against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,

by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,

over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,

with(-in).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֶל (el) — to(wards).

1) to, toward, unto (of motion)

2) into (limit is actually entered)

2a) in among

3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)

4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)

5) in addition to, to

6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of

7) according to (rule or standard)

8) at, by, against (of one's presence)

9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep — Preposition
HR
wait to Yahweh be strong so may it show strength heart your and wait to Yahweh
יְהוָֽה׃Yah.weh Yahweh H3068 Noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, the loving Savior
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper
HNpt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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