Hope in the Bible
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. It is settled expectation — a future promise so certain it shapes today. The Hebrew tiqvah pictures a stretched-out cord of expectation; the Greek elpis grounds hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Greek & Hebrew words
Greek (New Testament)
Key KJV verses
All verses →Romans 15:13
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”Read in context
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 3:24
“The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”Read in context
Tiqvah: a cord of expectation
Tiqvah (H8615) comes from a root meaning 'to stretch out, to wait.' Hope is the lifeline thrown forward into the future, anchored in God's character.
Elpis: hope grounded in resurrection
Elpis (G1680) in the New Testament is never blind optimism. It is rooted in a historical event — the resurrection — and a future event: Christ's return (Titus 2:13).
Frequently asked questions
What is the Greek word for hope?
Elpis (ἐλπίς, Strong's G1680). It refers to confident expectation, not uncertain wishing.
What is biblical hope?
Hope in the Bible is a settled expectation of future good promised by God — most centrally, the hope of resurrection and the return of Christ.