Wait on the Lord

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The word most translated as some form of "to wait" in Hebrew is the word qavah which appears forty-nine times, beginning in Genesis 1. The word's origin as described by Strong's is "A primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. Collect; (figuratively) to expect." However, this does not have much importance without knowing how it is used. Going again to Strong's, the usage is described as "gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)." (Strong's Concordance, Strong) That provides a bit more context in which to understand the most basic idea of waiting, but there are several other Hebrew words that have a less general usage and more specific translations that yield an even clearer image through which to understand waiting on the Lord.

"Chakah" appears several times throughout the Old Testament and is likewise most often translated as a form of "to wait." Strong's describes its use as "long, tarry, wait." (Strong's Concordance, Strong) This is quite similar to the last word discussed except for one small part. The word is used fourteen times and each time it is translated as "wait" or "stay" saving one time in the book of Job chapter three when it was translated "that long." Looking at the context, Job is in the midst of his afflictions and he is cursing the day which he was born. Verse twenty-one in which the word appears says, "Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures." This carries significance because it demonstrates that waiting is something that comes from the heart. When waiting on the Lord occurs, there is longing involved.

Perhaps the word that shall bringthe most insight with it is "yachal." While its second most translation is"wait," its first most used translation is actually some form of "to hope." Itis also translated several times as "stay" and "remain," but twice it is eventranslated as "trust." (Englishman'sHebrew, Wigram) The true importance of this will be brought out later.