Hope in the Old Testament and Pre-Christian Judaism: Origins

Hope in the Old Testament covenants: divine promises, the 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; it is deeply rooted in the divine promises, in the covenants, and in the historical narratives that shaped the faith and identity of the people of Israel. This article explores the terminology 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: qawāh, yaḥāl, ἔλπίς, ὑπομονή, and their biblical correlates

The Greek words associated with hope, patience, and trust in the New Testament (ἔλπίς, ὑπομονή, προσδοκία, πίστις) correspond to the following terms in the Hebrew Bible:

• קָוָה (qawāh): To stretch out, to hope (C. Westermann, TheolHdWbAT 2, 619-629)
• יָחַל (yaḥāl): To wait, to persevere (Cf. Barth, ThWbAT 3, 603-610)
• חָכָה (ḥākāh): To wait, to be patient (ibid. 2, 915-920)
• בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ): To feel secure, free of care (A. Jepsen, ThWbAT 1, 608-615)
• אָמַן (‘āmān): To trust, to believe firmly (A. Jepsen, ThWbAT 1, 313-348)
• חָסָה (ḥāsāh): To seek refuge (J. Gamberoni, ThWbAT 3, 71-83)

These roots are widely used in the Psalms and in the prophetic texts that follow the linguistic style of the Psalms, as in passages that combine 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 Yahwist and Elohist traditions to the post-exilic reforms: hope in the historical narratives of the Hebrew Bible

The earliest historical books of the Hebrew Bible rarely use the vocabulary of hope and trust. Nevertheless, the narratives contained in these texts frequently point to divine blessings, promises, and covenants, which reflect an expectation of the future and trust in the power of a faithful God.

This feature is evident in the traditions gathered by the Yahwist in Judah in the post-Solomonic period and in the partially integrated traditions of the Elohist, which originated in the northern kingdom. Notable examples include:

• Genesis 8:21: The promise to lighten the burden of sin upon the earth, compared with Genesis 3:17 and Genesis 5:29
• Genesis 12:2: The promise of descendants and a great name to Abraham
• Genesis 28:10-28: The promise of land, descendants, and constant protection to Jacob
• Numbers 23:4-25: The oracles of Balaam
• Exodus 3:13-14: The revelation of God’s name and the promise of everlasting faithfulness

During the exile, the priestly tradition appropriated these ancient traditions of blessing, reshaping them into a comprehensive history running from creation to the beginning of worship in the Tabernacle. This perspective emphasized hope in the divine promises and pointed to the 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, covering the period from Moses to the exile, adopted a prophetic approach in recounting Israel’s relationship with the word of God. By showing how God always fulfills His word, it presents a prospect of either salvation or curse, depending on the people’s response (Deuteronomy 7:7-11; 2 Samuel 7:1-17).

The Chronicler’s work, on the other hand, reinterpreted this historical vision, renewing faith in the divine promises and strengthening the hope of the post-exilic community (1 Chronicles 17:14; 28:9-10).

Recommended reading: Spe Salvi (Benedict XVI), the encyclical on Christian hope.

Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.

From the covenants with Abraham to the post-exilic restoration: hope as trust in God’s faithfulness

Hope in the Old Testament and in pre-Christian Judaism is portrayed as a deep trust in God’s promises and faithfulness. From the covenants with Abraham to the post-exilic reforms, hope is intrinsically bound up with the expectation of future blessings and of 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 the religious traditions that shaped Jewish spirituality.

The Locus Mariologicus Institute is the worldwide academic reference in Mariology. Discover our resources on Marian Theology, Marian apparitions, and the Postgraduate Program in Mariology.

To delve deeper into the theology of Marian hope, see the Encyclical Redemptoris Mater of Pope John Paul II.