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מִבְטָח

𐤌𐤁𐤈𐤇

mibṭâch

H4009 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A place or means of security, safety, or protection; by extension, a state or feeling of confidence, trust, or assurance. In some contexts, denotes a physical stronghold or refuge; in others, the abstract quality of reliance or assurance, especially confidence in deliverance or well-being—often, but not exclusively, placed in YHWH.

Semantic Range

place of refuge, means of security, physical safety, protective shelter, confidence, assurance, trust, hope, sense of security

Root / Etymology

From the root בָּטַח (בטח), which means 'to trust, rely on, feel secure, be confident.' מִבְטָח is a noun formation indicating either the object or means of security (i.e., a refuge) or the abstract state of trust or confidence. The root emphasizes a sense of safety that comes through dependable protection or trustworthy support.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, מִבְטָח frequently refers to both concrete and abstract forms of security. It denotes physical structures (e.g., a literal refuge or place of safety) as well as the sense or attitude of trust and hope. It is commonly used in poetic and wisdom literature to contrast true reliance on YHWH versus false confidence in human strength, foreign powers, or material resources. The meaning and emphasis can shift: in prophetic or wisdom texts, it often warns against misplaced or false security (e.g., trusting fortresses, wealth, or foreign alliances instead of YHWH), while in psalms or prayers it may affirm YHWH as the only true source of security and confidence. Modern English translations sometimes narrow the term to 'trust,' 'confidence,' or 'security,' but in biblical context it frequently holds together the idea of both objective safety and subjective assurance. Other synonyms include מַחְסֶה and מָעוֹז, each with slightly different emphases on shelter, refuge, or fortress.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּטַח; properly, a refuge, i.e. (objective) security, or (subjective) assurance; confidence, hope, sure, trust.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

בטח (Betach) — to trust, rely on, be secure, feel confidence

Root בטח to trust, rely on, be secure, feel confidence
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H982 בָּטַח he trusted
H983 בֶּטַח secure confidence
H984 בֶּטַח and from Betach
H985 בִּטְחָה and in confidence
H986 בִּטָּחוֹן confident security

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4009-07 מִבְטַחֽ/וֹ mivetacho HNcmsc/Sp3ms his trust his security his trust 4
H4009-03 מִבְטַח mivetach HNcmsc confidence place of security place of security 3
H4009-05 מִבְטַחִֽ/י mivetachi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my confidence my security my confidence 2
H4009-01 בְּ/מִבְטַחַ֔יִ/ךְ bemivetachayikhe HR/Ncmpc/Sp2fs those in whom you trust in your refuges in your refuges 1
H4009-02 לְ/מִבְטָח֙ lemivetach HR/Ncmsa for-confidence for security for security 1
H4009-04 מִבְטַחֶ֑/ךָ mivetachekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your trust your security your trust 1
H4009-06 מִבְטַחִ֔ים mivetachim HNcmpa secure places of security security 1
H4009-08 מִבְטֶחָֽ/ה mivetechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs of-its-confidence her security her security 1
H4009-09 מִבְטֶחָֽ/ם mivetecham HNcmsc/Sp3mp their confidence their security their confidence 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4009-06 Isaiah 32:18 מִבְטַחִ֔ים mivetachim HNcmpa secure places of security security
H4009-01 Jeremiah 2:37 בְּ/מִבְטַחַ֔יִ/ךְ bemivetachayikhe HR/Ncmpc/Sp2fs those in whom you trust in your refuges in your refuges
H4009-07 Jeremiah 17:7 מִבְטַחֽ/וֹ mivetacho HNcmsc/Sp3ms his trust his security his trust
H4009-09 Jeremiah 48:13 מִבְטֶחָֽ/ם mivetecham HNcmsc/Sp3mp their confidence their security their confidence
H4009-02 Ezekiel 29:16 לְ/מִבְטָח֙ lemivetach HR/Ncmsa for-confidence for security for security
H4009-07 Psalms 40:5 מִבְטַח֑/וֹ mivetacho HNcmsc/Sp3ms his-trust his security his trust
H4009-03 Psalms 65:6 מִבְטָ֥ח mivetach HNcmsa confidence place of security confidence
H4009-05 Psalms 71:5 מִבְטַחִ֥/י mivetachi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my confidence my security my confidence
H4009-03 Proverbs 14:26 מִבְטַח mivetach HNcmsc confidence place of security place of security
H4009-08 Proverbs 21:22 מִבְטֶחָֽ/ה mivetechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs of-its-confidence her security her security
H4009-04 Proverbs 22:19 מִבְטַחֶ֑/ךָ mivetachekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your trust your security your trust
H4009-03 Proverbs 25:19 מִבְטָ֥ח mivetach HNcmsa confidence place of security place of security
H4009-07 Job 8:14 מִבְטַחֽ/וֹ mivetacho HNcmsc/Sp3ms his trust his security his trust
H4009-07 Job 18:14 מִבְטַח֑/וֹ mivetacho HNcmsc/Sp3ms his security his security his security
H4009-05 Job 31:24 מִבְטַחִֽ/י mivetachi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my confidence my security my confidence
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