שֵׂ֫בֶר

From the study of Psalm 146:5

Range of meaning

Hope, expectation. The noun appears only here and Ps 119:116 ('do not let me be ashamed of my hope'). The related verb śibbēr means to look to someone and wait expectantly: Ps 104:27 and 145:15 ('the eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season'); Ruth 1:13 ('would you wait for them?'); Esther 9:1 (enemies 'hoped' to overpower the Jews); Isa 38:18.

Against the English

Modern English 'hope' often means an uncertain wish ('I hope it doesn't rain'). Śēber is the posture of someone who looks to a specific provider and waits for him to act. It is directed at a person and expects an answer.

How it drifted

English 'hope' has weakened over time toward 'wishful uncertainty.' The biblical words for hope (śēber, tiqwâ, yāḥal) are all about confident waiting on someone.

Used elsewhere in the period

The closest parallel is the verb in the psalm just before this one: Ps 145:15, 'The eyes of all look expectantly (yᵉśabbērû) to you.' Ps 146 picks up the root as a noun. The Septuagint uses elpis for the noun here.

From the study of Psalm 119:116

Range of meaning

Hope or expectation. The noun occurs only here and in Ps 146:5 ("whose hope is in the LORD his God"). The related verb savar means 'to wait for, look expectantly to' (Ps 104:27; 145:15, "the eyes of all look to you"; Ruth 1:13; Isa 38:18). In Nehemiah 2:13, 15 the same verb means 'inspect, look over carefully.' Aramaic uses the root for 'think, expect.'

Against the English

English "hope" often means a wish with no certainty ("I hope it doesn't rain"). Sever is directed waiting: eyes fixed on a particular person from whom something is expected.

How it drifted

Over time, everyday English "hope" has drifted toward 'wishful uncertainty.' The Hebrew word carries expectation aimed at someone who is believed to be able and committed to act. It is not certainty about timing, but it is not wishful thinking either.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 145:15 and 104:27 use the verb of all creatures looking to God for food in its season, a picture of dependent expectation. Septuagint here: prosdokia, "expectation"; Vulgate: exspectatio.