The Hebrew word sâbar, represented by H7663, conveys the concept of expectant waiting. It is a primitive root defined as to scrutinize, or by implication, to expect with hope and patience, and is translated as hope, tarry, view, or wait. It appears 8 times in 8 unique verses, and is noted as being erroneously written as H7665 in two instances (Nehemiah 2:13,15).
In biblical usage, H7663 describes a posture of dependence on God. The Psalms state that the eyes of all creation wait upon God for provision Psalms 145:15 and that they all wait for Him to give them their meat in due season Psalms 104:27. This hope is tied directly to faithfulness, as the psalmist declares, "I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments" Psalms 119:166. The word can also describe a literal act of inspection, as when Nehemiah viewed the broken-down walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:13, 2:15). It is also used to express futile expectation, such as when Naomi questions if her daughters would tarry for new sons Ruth 1:13 or when the enemies of the Jews hoped for power over them Esther 9:1.
Several related words help clarify the context and object of this patient expectation:
- H3444 yᵉshûwʻâh (salvation): This is a primary object of hope. The word means deliverance, aid, or victory, and is what the psalmist hoped for while obeying God's law Psalms 119:166.
- H571 ʼemeth (truth): Signifying certainty and trustworthiness, this is another object of hope that is exclusive to the living, as those in the grave "cannot hope for thy truth" Isaiah 38:18.
- H5702 ʻâgan (stay): This word is used in parallel with sâbar in Ruth 1:13, where Naomi asks if her daughters would tarry and stay for sons, reinforcing the idea of waiting for something.
- H7665 shâbar (break/broken): Erroneously used for H7663 in Nehemiah, this word describes the broken state of the walls that Nehemiah was viewing, linking the act of scrutinizing with the condition of the object being observed Nehemiah 2:13.
The theological themes associated with H7663 center on the nature of hope and dependence on God.
- Dependent Expectation: All of creation is depicted as waiting upon God for sustenance Psalms 145:15. This establishes a universal principle of reliance on the Creator for life and provision.
- Active Hope in God's Character: Hope is not passive. It is directed toward God's salvation H3444 and truth H571. In Psalms 119:166, this hope is actively paired with doing God's commandments H4687, showing that true hope is expressed through obedience.
- Hope as a Mark of the Living: The prophet Isaiah contrasts the living with the dead by stating that those in the grave cannot hope for God's truth, making hope a vital sign of a relationship with the living God Isaiah 38:18.
- The Subversion of Misplaced Hope: In Esther, the enemies' hope to have power H7980 over the Jews is overturned Esther 9:1, demonstrating that hopes set against God's people and purposes are ultimately futile.
In summary, H7663 sâbar is a multifaceted word that encompasses both the literal act of viewing and the profound spiritual posture of hopeful waiting. It illustrates the biblical concept of a hope that is not a mere wish, but a confident and patient expectation fixed on God's character, His provision, and His salvation. From the eyes of creation waiting for food to the faithful soul hoping for deliverance, sâbar defines a core element of a life oriented toward God.
TRV