יָחַל
ya.chal (H3176G)
to wait: wait
AI Word Study
# יָחַל (Yachal): Waiting in Biblical Hebrew The Hebrew word *yachal* (H3176) carries the fundamental meaning "to wait," appearing fifteen times throughout the biblical text. This relatively modest frequency suggests it represents a specific semantic concept rather than a common everyday term. The word captures the active posture of expectation—a state where someone remains in anticipation for something or someone to arrive or transpire. In biblical contexts, waiting functions as more than mere passive idleness; it implies a sustained orientation toward a future event or outcome. The fifteen occurrences distributed across Scripture indicate this word was used to express situations where individuals or communities held themselves in readiness or hope. The semantic field of waiting in Hebrew contained multiple terms, and *yachal*'s particular role among them suggests it conveyed a distinct nuance of expectant attention, though the provided lexicon data does not specify how it differed from synonymous terms. The limited frequency of *yachal* in the biblical corpus indicates it was a deliberate word choice rather than a default term for waiting. This selectivity in usage suggests biblical authors employed this word when the concept of waiting carried particular theological or narrative weight—moments where anticipation itself became thematically important to the passage.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
He waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; and she didn’t return to him any more.
“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal; and behold, I will come down to you, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings. Wait seven days, until I come to you, and show you what you are to do.”
He stayed seven days, according to the time set by Samuel; but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him.
Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.” He took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the middle of the oak.
While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?”
If a man dies, will he live again? I would wait all the days of my warfare, until my release should come.
“Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.
They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.
“Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.
Shall I wait, because they don’t speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?
For I hope in you, Yahweh. You will answer, Lord my God.
I am weary with my crying. My throat is dry. My eyes fail looking for my God.
My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart! My heart trembles within me. I can’t hold my peace, because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
The remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples, like dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass, that don’t wait for man, nor wait for the sons of men.
But as for me, I will look to Yahweh. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.