Bible Encyclopedias
Wish

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wish : The word appears both as a substantive and as a verb in the Old Testament, having a variety of meanings: (1) The substantive, פּה , peh , means "mouth" and also "speech." In this form it occurs in Job 33:6 margin: "Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead." Elihu here refers to Job's expressed desire for an umpire ( Job 9:33 ), and one who would maintain his right with God (Job 16:21 ). (2) The verb: (a ) חפץ , hāphēc , "willing," or "desirous" (Psalm 40:14 the King James Version); ( b ) שׁאל , shā'al , "to ask," "petition," "supplicate" (Job 31:30 the King James Version); ( c ) another variation of meaning is found in Psalm 73:7 where משׂכּית , maskı̄th , "to imagine," is translated "wish": "They have more than heart could wish"; (d ) εὔχομαι , eúchomai , "to solicit," "to implore" (Romans 9:3 ).