Hebrew word · Strong's H6960

קָוָה

qâvâh · kaw-vaw' · verb · “to wait, hope”

In a sentence

Qavah means to wait, hope, look for — strung tight like a cord. Those who «wait for the LORD» (Isaiah 40:31) shall renew their strength.

Qavah comes from a root meaning «to twist» — picturing strength like a tightened cord. To wait on God is not passive idling but active, taut hoping.

Isaiah 40:31 hangs on this verb: «they who qavah for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.» Strength comes from the waiting itself.

Strong's reference

Definition: to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect

KJV usage: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Psalms 27:14 “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.