What does תּוֹחֶלֶת (tohelet) mean in the Bible?
תּוֹחֶלֶת (tohelet) is a Hebrew word meaning "expectation".
Hebrew · H8431
תּוֹחֶלֶת
Expectation
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תּוֹחֶלֶתH8431
Pronunciationtohelet
What does תּוֹחֶלֶת (tohelet) mean in the Bible?
תּוֹחֶלֶת (tohelet) is a Hebrew word meaning "expectation".
Full entry for תּוֹחֶלֶת (H8431) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8431?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include along with my hope (1), and the hope (1), Hope (1), hope of [overcoming] him (1), My hope is (1).
Where does תּוֹחֶלֶת (tohelet) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Job 41:9. Its strongest book concentrations include Proverbs (3), Job (1), Lamentations (1), Psalms (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Italong with my hope1×Lamentations 3:18
and the hope1×Proverbs 11:7
Hope1×Proverbs 13:12
hope of [overcoming] him1×Job 41:9
My hope is1×Psalms 39:7
The hope1×Proverbs 10:28
Show sample aligned rows
Job 41:9תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹtohope of [overcoming] himNoun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularPsalms 39:7תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗יtoMy hope isNoun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularProverbs 10:28תּוֹחֶ֣לֶתtoThe hopeNoun - feminine singular constructProverbs 11:7וְתוֹחֶ֖לֶתtoand the hopeConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular constructProverbs 13:12תּוֹחֶ֣לֶתtoHopeNoun - feminine singular constructLamentations 3:18וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖יtoalong with my hopeConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJob 41:9
Aligned rows6
Books represented4
Job1Psalms1Proverbs3Lamentations1
Source forms
תּוֹחֶ֣לֶת2xtō·w·ḥe·leṯProverbs 10:28, Proverbs 13:12
וְתוֹחֶ֖לֶת1xwə·ṯō·w·ḥe·leṯProverbs 11:7
וְתוֹחַלְתִּ֖י1xwə·ṯō·w·ḥal·tîLamentations 3:18
תּ֝וֹחַלְתִּ֗י1xtō·w·ḥal·tîPsalms 39:7
תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹ1xtō·ḥal·tōwJob 41:9
Parsing patterns
Noun - feminine singular construct2xProverbs 10:28, Proverbs 13:12
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct1xProverbs 11:7
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular1xLamentations 3:18
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular1xPsalms 39:7
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular1xJob 41:9
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. expectation
Source Gloss
expectation
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
expectation BDB: hope Usage: hope.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
expectation, hope, or anticipation
hope or expectation of fulfillment
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 6 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
תּוֹחֶלֶת is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
The term emphasizes that the wicked also anticipate a future, but their hope collapses.Proverbs 10:28
Represents the future confidence placed in worldly strength.Proverbs 11:7
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.