The Hebrew Verb בָּטַח: To Trust, Rely Upon, or Be Confident

The Hebrew verb בָּטַח (root: ב-ט-ח) means “to trust,” “to be confident,” or “to rely upon.” It is one of the most important and frequently used words in biblical Hebrew for expressing faith, security, and dependence—especially on YHWH. The verb implies a deep sense of assurance or placing one’s confidence in something or someone.

בָּטַח appears predominantly in the Qal stem, often followed by the prepositions בְּ (in) or עַל (upon), and is richly used in Psalms, Proverbs, and prophetic literature.

 

Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּטַח

Past (Perfect) Tense

Person Form
1st person singular בָּטַחְתִּי
2nd person masculine singular בָּטַחְתָּ
2nd person feminine singular בָּטַחְתְּ
3rd person masculine singular בָּטַח
3rd person feminine singular בָּטְחָה
1st person plural בָּטַחְנוּ
2nd person masculine plural בְּטַחְתֶּם
2nd person feminine plural בְּטַחְתֶּן
3rd person plural בָּטְחוּ

Present (Participle) Tense

Gender/Number Form
Masculine singular בּוֹטֵחַ
Feminine singular בּוֹטַחַת
Masculine plural בּוֹטְחִים
Feminine plural בּוֹטְחוֹת

Future (Imperfect) Tense

Person Form
1st person singular אֶבְטַח
2nd person masculine singular תִּבְטַח
2nd person feminine singular תִּבְטְחִי
3rd person masculine singular יִבְטַח
3rd person feminine singular תִּבְטַח
1st person plural נִבְטַח
2nd person masculine plural תִּבְטְחוּ
2nd person feminine plural תִּבְטַחְנָה
3rd person plural יִבְטְחוּ

Imperative Mood

Person Form
2nd person masculine singular בְּטַח
2nd person feminine singular בִּטְחִי
2nd person masculine plural בִּטְחוּ
2nd person feminine plural בְּטַחְנָה

 

Usage in Scripture

  • Psalm 4:6בָּטַחְתִּי בַיהוָה
    “I have trusted in the LORD.”
  • Proverbs 3:5בְּטַח אֶל־יְהוָה בְּכָל־לִבֶּךָ
    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.”
  • Isaiah 12:2בָּטַחְתִּי וְלֹא אֶפְחָד
    “I will trust and not be afraid.”

 

Summary

The verb בָּטַח is one of the central expressions of biblical faith. It denotes not just intellectual belief, but heartfelt reliance and security in another—especially in God. Appearing in psalms of confidence, prophetic appeals, and wisdom exhortations, it defines the spiritual posture of the righteous: trusting not in man, weapons, or wealth, but in YHWH alone.

About Biblical Hebrew

Learn Biblical Hebrew Online
This entry was posted in Vocabulary and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.