Hope in the Old Testament and pre-Christian Judaism: origins

Hope in the Covenants of the Old Testament: Divine Promises, Identity of Israel, and Pre-Christian Faith

Hope is a multifaceted concept that permeates various religious and philosophical traditions. In the context of the Old Testament and pre-Christian Judaism, hope is not merely a vague expectation but is deeply rooted in divine promises, covenants, and historical narratives that shaped the faith and identity of the people of Israel. This article explores the terminologies and concepts related to hope in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting how these terms reflect a robust trust in God’s promises.

Hebrew and Greek Terminology of Hope

The Greek words associated with hope, patience, and confidence in the New Testament (*ἔλπίς*, *ὑπομονή*, *προσδοκία*, *πίστις*) find correspondence in the following terms of the Hebrew Bible:– קָוָה (qawāh): Estender-se, esperar (C. Westermann, TheolHdAT 2, 619-629) – יָחַל (yaḥāl): Aguardar, perseverar (Cf. Barth, ThWbAT 3, 603-610) – חָכָה (ḥākāh): Esperar, ter paciência (ibid., 2, 915-920) – בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ): Sentir-se seguro, despreocupado (A. Jepsen, ThWbAT 1, 608-615) – אָמַן (‘āmān): Confiar, acreditar firmemente (A. Jepsen, ThWbAT 1, 313-348) – חָסָה (ḥāsāh): Buscar refúgio (J. Gamberoni, ThWbAT 3, 71-83)These roots are widely used in the Psalms and prophetic texts that follow the linguistic style of the Psalms, such as passages combining multiple expressions of trust and hope (Psalm 27 [26], 13-14; Psalm 62 [61], 6-9; Psalm 130 [129], 5-7; Lamentations 3, 19-30).

From the Yahwistic and Elohistic Traditions to the Post-Exilic Reforms: Hope in the Historical Narratives of the Hebrew Bible

The earliest historical books of the Hebrew Bible rarely employ vocabulary related to hope and trust. However, the narratives included in these texts often point to divine blessings, promises, and covenants, reflecting a future expectation and confidence in the power of a faithful God.This characteristic is evident in the traditions gathered by the **Yahwist** in the post-Solomonic period in Judah and in the partially integrated traditions of the **Elohist**, originating from the northern kingdom. Notable examples include:– Genesis 8:21: Promise to alleviate the burden of sin on the earth, compared with Genesis 3:17 and Genesis 5:29 – Genesis 12:2: Promise of descendants and a great name to Abraham – Genesis 28:10-28: Promise of land, descendants, and constant protection to Jacob – Numbers 23:4-25: The oracles of Balaam – Exodus 3:13-14: Revelation of the name of God and promise of eternal faithfulnessDuring the exile, the priestly tradition appropriated these ancient blessing traditions, reformulating them into a comprehensive history from creation to the beginning of worship in the Tabernacle. This perspective emphasized hope in divine promises and pointed toward future restoration after the exile (Genesis 2, 3; Exodus 31, 16-17; Genesis 9, 1-19; Genesis 17; Exodus 6, 2-8).The deuteronomistic historiography, spanning the period from Moses to the exile, adopted a prophetic approach to recount Israel’s relationship with God’s word. Demonstrating how God always fulfills his word, it offers a perspective of salvation or curse, depending on the people’s response (Deuteronomy 7:7-11; 2 Samuel 7:14-17).On the other hand, the chronicle work reinterpreted this historical vision, renewing faith in divine promises and strengthening the hope of the post-exilic community (1 Chronicles 17:14; 28:9-10).

From Abraham’s Covenants to Post-Exilic Restoration: Hope as Trust in God’s Faithfulness

Hope in the Old Testament and pre-Christian Judaism is portrayed as a deep trust in God’s promises and faithfulness. From Abraham’s covenants to the post-exilic reforms, hope is intrinsically linked to the expectation of future blessings and restoration. This vision of hope not only strengthens faith but also guides the ethical and communal conduct of the people of Israel, reflecting the complexity and depth of religious traditions that shaped Jewish spirituality.