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 submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בטח (b-ṭ-ḥ) — trust, reliance, security, 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 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4009-07 |
מִבְטַחֽ/וֹ | mivetacho | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his trust | his security | 4 |
H4009-03 |
מִבְטָ֥ח | mivetach | HNcmsa |
confidence | place of security | 3 |
H4009-05 |
מִבְטַחִ֥/י | mivetachi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
my confidence | my security | 2 |
H4009-01 |
בְּ/מִבְטַחַ֔יִ/ךְ | bemivetachayikhe | HR/Ncmpc/Sp2fs |
those in whom you trust | in your refuges | 1 |
H4009-06 |
מִבְטַחִ֔ים | mivetachim | HNcmpa |
secure | places of security | 1 |
H4009-09 |
מִבְטֶחָֽ/ם | mivetecham | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their confidence | their security | 1 |
H4009-02 |
לְ/מִבְטָח֙ | lemivetach | HR/Ncmsa |
for-confidence | for security | 1 |
H4009-08 |
מִבְטֶחָֽ/ה | mivetechah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
of-its-confidence | her security | 1 |
H4009-04 |
מִבְטַחֶ֑/ךָ | mivetachekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your trust | your security | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4009-06 |
Isaiah 32:18 | מִבְטַחִ֔ים | mivetachim | HNcmpa |
secure | places of security |
H4009-01 |
Jeremiah 2:37 | בְּ/מִבְטַחַ֔יִ/ךְ | bemivetachayikhe | HR/Ncmpc/Sp2fs |
those in whom you trust | in your refuges |
H4009-07 |
Jeremiah 17:7 | מִבְטַחֽ/וֹ | mivetacho | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his trust | his security |
H4009-09 |
Jeremiah 48:13 | מִבְטֶחָֽ/ם | mivetecham | HNcmsc/Sp3mp |
their confidence | their security |
H4009-02 |
Ezekiel 29:16 | לְ/מִבְטָח֙ | lemivetach | HR/Ncmsa |
for-confidence | for security |
H4009-07 |
Psalms 40:5 | מִבְטַח֑/וֹ | mivetacho | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his-trust | his security |
H4009-03 |
Psalms 65:6 | מִבְטָ֥ח | mivetach | HNcmsa |
confidence | place of security |
H4009-05 |
Psalms 71:5 | מִבְטַחִ֥/י | mivetachi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
my confidence | my security |
H4009-03 |
Proverbs 14:26 | מִבְטַח | mivetach | HNcmsc |
confidence | place of security |
H4009-08 |
Proverbs 21:22 | מִבְטֶחָֽ/ה | mivetechah | HNcmsc/Sp3fs |
of-its-confidence | her security |