Hope (Tiqvah)
תִּקְוָה (tiqvah)
A cord of expectation — the lifeline of confident waiting tied to God's promises.
Tiqvah is the Hebrew word for hope, derived from a root meaning 'cord' or 'rope.' Biblical hope is a lifeline — a cord of confident expectation tied to God's character and promises, anchoring the soul through waiting.
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." — Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV)
Key Verses
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”Read in context
Lamentations 3:21-22
“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H8615 — Hope (Tiqvah) (תִּקְוָה (tiqvah))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where תִּקְוָה (tiqvah) appears.
Open Strong's H8615Etymology and Original Meaning
Tiqvah comes from the verb qavah, meaning 'to bind together' or 'to twist' — like braiding a rope. The same root gives us 'cord' and 'hope.' This etymology is beautiful: hope is a cord that binds the believer to God's promises. Just as a rope consists of many strands twisted together for strength, hope is strengthened by multiple promises, past faithfulness, and accumulated trust.
Rahab's Scarlet Cord
In Joshua 2:18, the word for the scarlet cord (tiqvah) Rahab hung from her window is the same word for hope. This connection is profound: the cord that saved Rahab's family during Jericho's fall is literally a 'hope' — a visible lifeline binding her to God's promise of deliverance. Hope in Scripture is not abstract but tangible — a cord you can hold onto.
Hope in Exile
Jeremiah 29:11 speaks to exiles: God has plans to give them 'an expected end' (tiqvah). In the darkest moment — national destruction, deportation, seemingly broken promises — God declares that hope remains. The exile is temporary; the purpose is permanent. Tiqvah in Lamentations is even more striking: amid the ruins of Jerusalem, Jeremiah recalls God's mercies and declares, 'Therefore have I hope' (3:21).
Waiting and Hope
The Hebrew connection between waiting and hope (both from qavah) is essential. 'They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength' (Isaiah 40:31). Biblical hoping is active waiting — not passive resignation but confident expectation that God will act. The rope of hope stretches across the gap between promise and fulfillment, holding the believer secure during the wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tiqvah mean in Hebrew?
Tiqvah means 'hope' and comes from a root meaning 'cord' or 'rope.' Hope is a lifeline — a cord of confident expectation binding the believer to God's promises, strong enough to hold through any trial.
How is hope connected to waiting in Hebrew?
Both hope and waiting come from the same Hebrew root qavah ('to bind together'). Biblical hoping is active waiting — confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises, like a rope stretching across the gap between promise and fulfillment.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Hope (Tiqvah)"?
Jeremiah 29:11 — "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (KJV). It also appears in Lamentations 3:21-22, Psalm 62:5.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Hope (Tiqvah)" matter?
Tiqvah comes from the verb qavah, meaning 'to bind together' or 'to twist' — like braiding a rope. English uses one word, "Hope (Tiqvah)", where the Hebrew תִּקְוָה (tiqvah) carries the fuller sense: a cord of expectation — the lifeline of confident waiting tied to god's promises.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Hope (Tiqvah) (תִּקְוָה (tiqvah))
A cord of expectation — the lifeline of confident waiting tied to God's promises.
Strong's H8615 — Hope (Tiqvah)
תִּקְוָה (tiqvah) • A cord of expectation — the lifeline of confident waiting tied to God's promises.
Hope (תִּקְוָה (Tiqvah) / ἐλπίς (Elpis))
A confident expectation rooted in God's faithfulness
Biblical Meaning of Cats in a Dream (KJV)
Independence, hidden motives, and the need for discernment.
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Jeremiah 29:11 — Meaning & Devotional
Hope
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