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Psalms 39:7 — Word Study

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WLCוְעַתָּ֣ה מַה־ קִּוִּ֣יתִי אֲדֹנָ֑י תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗י לְךָ֣ הִֽיא׃

BSAsurelyʼak imagetselem to gohâlak manʼîysh surelyʼak vanityhebel to roarhâmâh to heaptsâbar notlôʼ to knowyâdaʻ who?mîy to gatherʼâçaph

Word
Listen & take awayPsalms 39
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 7 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 (Hi') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Psalms 39:7quick helps
In a sentenceThe psalmist expresses a moment of reflection, questioning the purpose of his waiting while placing his hope in God.
Who is speakingThe psalmist, addressing God directly as O Lord.
Where we areThis verse is part of a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of hope.
The hard wordתּוֹחַלְתִּי, to.chal.Ti
Take awayThe psalmist's hope is firmly placed in God.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectצָבַר verbהָלַךְ 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 39:7

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 Reflection on Life's Transiencegenerated

6Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
7And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.
8Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools.
9I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.

Psalms 39:7 presents the psalmist in a moment of introspection, pondering the purpose of his waiting. He recognizes the fleeting nature of human existence, as expressed in the verses surrounding this one, and finds solace in placing his hope in the Lord. This verse encapsulates a deep yearning for divine intervention and assurance amidst life's uncertainties.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Psalm 130:5–6I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope.
2Genesis 49:18I await Your salvation, O LORD.
3Luke 2:25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
4Psalm 38:15I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.
5Psalm 119:81–166My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word תּוֹחַלְתִּי, to.chal.Tigenerated

The word תּוֹחַלְתִּי (tochalti) is derived from the root חָלָה (chal), which conveys the concept of hope or expectation. It is a feminine noun indicating a feeling of trust and confidence directed towards God.

In this verse, it emphasizes the psalmist's reliance on God as the source of his hope. The parsing as a common feminine singular construct with a suffix indicates that the hope belongs to the speaker, making it personal and intimate.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses hope to translate תּוֹחַלְתִּי.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main finite verb is קִּוִּ֣יתִי, ki.Vi.tido I wait — which governs the entire verse. The structure includes a conjunction phrase followed by a series of clauses that elaborate on the subject's feelings and actions.

The word order emphasizes the psalmist's immediate concern and his direct address to God, creating a sense of urgency and personal connection in his inquiry.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew תּוֹחַלְתִּי is rendered as μάτην, which conveys a sense of futility or emptiness. This choice reflects a nuanced interpretation of the psalmist's hope, possibly suggesting a contrast between human expectation and divine reality.

The translation choice indicates a broader understanding of the theme of hope within the context of human experience.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Psalms 39:7 shows the psalmist asking God about the purpose of his waiting. He expresses that his hope is firmly placed in the Lord, reflecting a deep trust in God during uncertain times.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean to place my hope in God?

Placing hope in God means trusting in His character and faithfulness, believing that He will fulfill His promises and provide for our needs.

Why does the psalmist question his waiting?

The psalmist questions his waiting to express his longing for understanding and clarity regarding his circumstances and the nature of his hope.

How can I apply this verse in my life?

You can apply this verse by reflecting on what you are waiting for and ensuring that your hope is anchored in God's presence and faithfulness.

What does the psalmist's hope reveal about his relationship with God?

The psalmist's hope reveals a deep reliance on God, indicating a relationship built on trust, expectation, and a desire for divine intervention.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What are the things I am currently waiting for in my life, and how can I place my hope in God during this time?
  2. How does understanding the nature of hope change the way I approach my challenges?
  3. In what ways can I express my trust in God amidst uncertainty?
  4. How can I encourage others to place their hope in God as well?

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

The early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss themes of hope and reliance on God. Quotations from Origen, Ambrose, and Augustine illustrate the enduring significance of this psalm.

Origen of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF John 19:157 c. 185–253
We will have to say that if we give in to troubles, we do not believe in him insofar as he is endurance; and if we are weak, we have not believed in him insofar as he is strength.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 39 →
Ambrose of MilanCommentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms c. 339–397
Our hope and our patience is Christ; he is our redemption; he is our expectation.… Look on us, Lord, when you come in judgment; let your mercy look on us.… In the power of your mercy lies the substance of our soul and life.
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 39 →
Augustine of HippoExposition on Psalms 39 354–430
"And now" [Psalms 39:7]. "And now," says this Idithun,— looking back on a certain "vain" show, and looking up to a certain Truth, standing midway where he has something beyond him,
Early Church Fathers on Psalms 39 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Psalms 39:7 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

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

And now, Lord, what wait I for?.... Look for, or expect, in this view of things?

Read John Gill on Psalms 39 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 39 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Seeing this life and all its enjoyments are so vain and short to all men, and especially to me, I will never expect nor seek for happiness here from these vanities; I will compose myself patiently and contentedly to bear both my own afflictions, and the prosperity and glory of ungodly men, for both are vanishing and transitory things, and I will seek for happiness no where but in the love and favour of God, in serving and glorifying him here, and in the hope or confident expectation of enjoying him hereafter; and in the mean time, of receiving from him those supplies and assistances which my present condition calls for.

Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 39 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psalms 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee.Ver. 7. And now, Lord, what wait I for?] q.d. Absit ergo ut de istis quisquiliis sim anxius, Far be it from me to trouble myself about these transitory trifles; I am bent to depend on thee alone, to wait for thy favour, and desire it above all earthly felicity; to place all my hope on thee alone (Beza), who, being my Lord, wilt not, canst not cast off thy poor servant, who desireth to fear thy name.

Read John Trapp on Psalms 39 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(7) And now, Lord . . .—“If such is man’s condition, what,” says the psalmist, “is my expectation?” We seem to hear the deep sigh with which the words are uttered; and we must remember that the poet can turn for comfort to no hope of immortality. That had not yet dawned. The thought of God’s mercy, and the hope of his own moral deliverance, these form the ground of his noble elevation above the oppressive sense of human frailty. The LXX. and Vulg. give it very expressively:— “And now what is my expectation? Is it not the Lord? And my substance is with thee.”

Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 39 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 7. And now, Lord, what wait I for?] Have I any object of pursuit in life, but to regain thy favour and thine image.

Read AdamClarke on Psalms 39 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7–9. Man’s life being thus transient, and earthly treasures thus deceitful, the Psalmist turns to God, as the one sure stay in life.

Read Cambridge on Psalms 39 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And now, Lord, what wait I for? - From the consideration of a vain world - of the fruitless efforts of man - of what so perplexed, embarrassed, and troubled him - the psalmist now turns to God, and

Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 39 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 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

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

NETBNew English Translation2006

But now, O Lord, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope!

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And now, LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

And now Lord, what wait I for? mine hope is euen in thee.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And now, what wait I for, Lord? my hope is in thee.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And, now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope — it [is] of Thee.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope—it [is] of You.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

(39:8) And now, what shall I wait for, O Lord? my hope is in thee.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Now, Lord, for what am I waiting? You are my only hope.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

So Lord, what am I looking for? I put my hope in you.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? my hope is in you.

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.

conjunction phraseוְandעַתָּ֣הnowclauseclauseobjectמַהwhat?verbקִּוִּ֣יתִיdo.I.wait.forclausenoun phraseאֲדֹנָ֑Lordיmyclauseclausenoun phraseתּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗hopeיmyclauseprepositional phrase · predicateלְ[is].toךָ֣yousubjectהִֽיאit

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


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

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew text. This alignment suggests a consistent understanding of the verse's meaning across both traditions.

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

וְעַתָּ֣ה מַה־ קִּוִּ֣יתִי אֲדֹנָ֑י תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗י לְךָ֣ הִֽיא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וְעַתָּ֣הἐνמַה־εἰκόνιקִּוִּ֣יתִיδιαπορεύεταιאֲדֹנָ֑יἄνθρωποςתּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗יμάτηνלְךָ֣ταράσσονταιהִֽיא׃θησαυρίζει

7 of the 7 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.

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 39:7עַתָּ֫הand nowand nowעַתָּ֫המָהwhat?what?מָהקָוָהdo I wait fdo I wait forקָוָהאָדוֹןO LordO Lordאָדוֹןתּוֹחֶ֫לֶתhope myhope myתּוֹחֶ֫לֶתךָּ[is] to you[is] to youךָּהוּאititהוּאעֵתtimetimeעֵתאָדוֹןlordlordאָדוֹןיָחַלto wait: wto wait: waitיָחַלנָאpleasepleaseנָאאֲנַ֫חְנוּweweאֲנַ֫חְנוּכָּ֫כָהthusthusכָּ֫כָהפָּעַלto workto workפָּעַליהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהכֹּהthusthusכֹּהתִּקְוָהcordcordתִּקְוָהאָבַדto perishto perishאָבַדטָמֵאuncleanuncleanטָמֵא
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 39:7

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.

and now what? do I wait for O Lord hope my [is] to you it
וְעַתָּ֣הve.'a.Tah and now H6258 Conjunction · adverb
433× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Tyndale gloss
now
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַתָּ֫ה (attah) is an adverb of time meaning 'now.' It can also function as a conjunction or expletive, indicating immediacy or a current moment. The word is derived from a related term, עַת (att), and is used in various contexts to denote the present time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַתָּ֫ה 435, עָ֑֫תָּה, adv. of time, now

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6258 עַתָּ֫ה, עָ֑֫תָּה of time, now

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6258 `attah at-taw'

from 6256; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or

expletive:--henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas.

see HEBREW for 06256

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — now.

1) now

1a) now

1b) in phrases

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HC/D — Conjunction · adverb
HC/D
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and now what? do I wait for O Lord hope my [is] to you it
מַה־mah- what? H4100 Pronoun
753× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Tyndale gloss
what?
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מָה (mah) is a Hebrew word primarily used as an interrogative particle meaning 'what?' or 'how?'. It can also function as an indefinite pronoun, encompassing meanings like 'anything' or 'whatever'. The word is versatile, appearing in various adverbial forms and often used with prefixes to express different nuances, such as reason or manner.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron.interrog. and indef. what? how? aught

interrog. what?

Used adverbially

Indef. pron.

With preps.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4100 מָה, rarely מָה־, מַה־, מַה‍ּ, מֶה, מַ‍ּ, מָ—pron. interrog. and indef. what? how? aught . interrog. what?

. Used adverbially

. Indef. pron.

. With preps.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4100 mah maw

or mah {mah}; or ma {maw}; or ma {mah}; also meh {meh}; a

primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including

how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including

how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even

relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various

adverbial or conjunctive senses:--how (long, oft, (-

soever)), (no-)thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing),

whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מָה (mah) — what?.

interr pron

1) what, how, of what kind

1a) (interrogative)

1a1) what?

1a2) of what kind

1a3) what? (rhetorical)

1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what

1b) (adverb)

1b1) how, how now

1b2) why

1b3) how! (exclamation)

1c) (with prep)

1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means?

1c2) because of what?

1c3) the like of what?

1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often?

1c3b) for how long?

1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose?

1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore?

indef pron

2) anything, aught, what may

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPi — Pronoun
HPi
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and now what? do I wait for O Lord hope my [is] to you it
קִּוִּ֣יתִיki.Vi.ti do I wait for H6960 Verb · Piel · perfect first person common 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.
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
HVpp1cs — Verb · Piel · perfect first person common singular
HVpp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

and now what? do I wait for O Lord hope my [is] to you it
אֲדֹנָ֑י'a.do.Nai O Lord H136 Noun proper
440× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Tyndale gloss
Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֲדֹנָי (Adonay) means 'Lord' and is an emphatic form of another Hebrew word for lord. It is used specifically as a title for God, often in place of Yahweh to show reverence. Variations include אֲדֹנִי and אֲדֹנַי, which help distinguish divine from human references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָדוֹן n.m. lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H136 אָדוֹן lord (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Mass. pointing to distinguish divine reference fr. human. Pl., with few exc. an intens. pl. of rank; word takes sf. as pl. in all other pers.; so doubtless here. Orig. reading prob. in all cases אֲדֹנַי; אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

136 'Adonay ad-o-noy'

am emphatic form of 113; the Lord (used as a proper name of

God only):--(my) Lord.

see HEBREW for 0113

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) — Lord.

Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence

Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpt — Noun proper
HNpt
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Lord

There are various Hebrew and Greek words so rendered.

(1.) Heb. Jehovah, has been rendered in the English Bible LORD, printed in small capitals. This is the proper name of the God of the Hebrews. The form “Jehovah” is retained only in Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:2; 26:4, both in the Authorized and the Revised Version.

(2.) Heb. ‘adon, means one possessed of absolute control. It denotes a master, as of slaves (Gen. 24:14, 27), or a ruler of his subjects (45:8), or a husband, as lord of his wife (18:12).

The old plural form of this Hebrew word is ’adonai. From a superstitious reverence for the name “Jehovah,” the Jews, in reading their Scriptures, whenever that name…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

[GOD]

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name belongs to God by preeminence; and in this sense ought never to be given to any creature. Jesus Christ, as the Messiah, the Son of God, and equal with the Father, is often called Lord in Scripture, especially in the writing of Paul. The word LORD, in the English Bible, when printed in small capitals, stands always for JEHOVAH in the Hebrew. See JEHOVAH.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ A prince Jos 13:3; Jud 3:3; 1Sa 5:8; 6:4

→ See GOD

→ See JESUS

and now what? do I wait for O Lord hope my [is] to you it
תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗יto.chal.Ti hope my H8431 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means hope or expectation, referring to a feeling of trust and confidence in something or someone. It is about looking forward to a positive outcome.
Tyndale gloss
hope
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

תּוֹחֶ֫לֶת (towcheleth) means 'hope' and is derived from the root word for 'expectation' found in H3176. The entries consistently define it as a noun related to the concept of hope, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

תּוֹחֶ֫לֶת n.f. hope

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8431 תּוֹחֶ֫לֶת

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8431 towcheleth to-kheh'-leth

from 3176; expectation:--hope.

see HEBREW for 03176

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

תּוֹחֶ֫לֶת (to.che.let) — hope.

hope

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcfsc/Sp1bs — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HNcfsc/Sp1bs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and now what? do I wait for O Lord hope my [is] to you it
לְךָ֣le.Kha [is] to you H9031 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

ךָּ (ka) — you.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp2ms
and now what? do I wait for O Lord hope my [is] to you it
הִֽיא׃Hi' it H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HPp3fs — Pronoun
HPp3fs
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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