מִבְטָח
miv.tach (H4009)
confidence
AI Word Study
# Mivtach (H4009): Confidence as a Biblical Concept The Hebrew word *mivtach* denotes confidence in its most fundamental sense. With fifteen occurrences across the biblical corpus, this term represents a discrete and identifiable concept within Hebrew thought. The word functions as a noun, allowing biblical writers to discuss confidence as a concrete quality or state that individuals and communities could possess, cultivate, or lose. Its relatively modest frequency suggests it occupied a specific theological or practical niche rather than serving as the most common term for trust or assurance in Scripture. The scope of *mivtach* appears to encompass confidence in varied contexts—potentially referring to reliance, security, or assurance in different circumstances. Because confidence itself is an internal state that can be directed toward different objects (confidence in a person, in God, in oneself, or in circumstances), this word likely carried similar flexibility in biblical usage. The fifteen occurrences provide sufficient distribution to indicate the term was recognized and employed across different biblical texts and periods, yet the relatively small number prevents broader conclusions about semantic nuance without additional contextual analysis of individual passages. Understanding *mivtach* requires acknowledging it as a foundational concept in biblical Hebrew: the capacity and act of trusting or being confident. For modern readers, this word points to a biblical recognition that confidence—as a human psychological and spiritual capacity—held significance worthy of its
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
Whose confidence will break apart, Whose trust is a spider’s web.
He will be rooted out of the security of his tent. He will be brought to the king of terrors.
“If I have made gold my hope, and have said to the fine gold, ‘You are my confidence;’
Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies.
By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our salvation. You who are the hope of all the ends of the earth, of those who are far away on the sea.
In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
My people will live in a peaceful habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting places,
You will also leave that place with your hands on your head; for Yahweh has rejected those in whom you trust, and you won’t prosper with them.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose confidence is in Yahweh.
Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence.
It will no longer be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.” ’ ”