יָחִיל
𐤉𐤇𐤉𐤋
yâchîyl
H3175 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
An adjective describing one who is in a state of hope or expectation; characterized by waiting with hopeful anticipation. Used primarily to depict an attitude of patient trust or confident waiting—often in the context of waiting for deliverance or fulfillment of a promise.
Semantic Range
hopeful, expectant, characterized by waiting or expectation, enduring patiently, trusting
Root / Etymology
From the root יחל (y-ḥ-l), meaning 'to wait, hope, expect.' The adjective יָחִיל is a derived form indicating a person characterized by this root action—i.e., 'hopeful' or 'expectant.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָחִיל occurs sparingly in the Hebrew Bible and is used almost exclusively in poetic or wisdom contexts (e.g., Job 13:15, Isaiah 42:4). It reflects a state of trustful anticipation rather than mere passive waiting, and is often directed toward the divine, expressing an Israelite's reliance on YHWH's faithfulness. Unlike the noun תִּקְוָה (tiqvah, 'hope') or other roots meaning 'to wait' like קוה (q-w-h), the יחל root and its adjective form יָחִיל stress an active, patient endurance. In later Jewish and Christian translation traditions, the term has sometimes been rendered as 'he that should hope' or 'hopeful one,' but these translations do not always convey the nuance of confident expectancy or steadfast faith in a promise.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָחַל; expectant; should hope.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יחל (y-ḥ-l) — to wait, hope, expect
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3176 | יָחַל | I will earnestly hope |
| H3178 | יַחְלְאֵלִי | the Yachleelite |
| H8431 | תּוֹחֶלֶת | my enduring hope |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3175-01 |
וְ/יָחִיל֙ | veyachil | HC/Aamsa |
that he waits | hopeful one | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3175-01 |
Lamentations 3:26 | וְ/יָחִיל֙ | veyachil | HC/Aamsa |
that he waits | hopeful one |