The biblical meaning of trust

The biblical definition for trust is about becoming totally reliant on and committed to God. Trust takes faith a little further.

Between the Old Testament and the New Testament, trust has similar meanings but entirely the same.

Let’s study.

What is the biblical meaning of trust?

how many times is the word trust in the bible

The Merriam Webster online dictionary defines trust as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something”.

As you will see, trust carries the same sentiments in the Bible but with a bit more depth.

Feel free to compare and contrast the meaning of trust in the Bible to the definition in the English dictionary.

Hebrew definition of trust

There are two Hebrew words for trust.

The first is aman. In our English Bible, this word is mostly translated as faith.  But aman also means to believe and to trust. I talked about this word in my post about faith.

The second word is batach. It means to rely on or to depend on. Batach carries the idea of confidence and security.

Batach paints the picture of someone stretched out on the ground  in front of their master with their face down, waiting and ready to obey the next command.

Batach can apply to the trust in human relationships, in both a good and a bad way.

A good way would be the trust that exists in a marital relationship between husband and wife:

The heart of her husband trusts [batach] in her, and he will have no lack of gain. (Proverbs 31:11 ESV)

A bad way would be human to human trust that causes someone to leave God.

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts [batach] in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:5 ESV)

Batach can be used to refer to things but usually in a bad way. 

For example, Scripture warns against trusting in money and wealth and our own intelligence:

Whoever trusts [batach] in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. (Proverbs 11:28 ESV)

Whoever trusts [batach] in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26 ESV

Batach definitely also applies to our relationship with God. In fact, it is our trust in God that gives meaning to our relationship with Him.

And those who know your name put their trust [batach] in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10 ESV)

Trust [batach] in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 ESV

Greek meaning of trust

The Greek word for trust is pisteuo. It is related to the Greek word for faith which is pistis.

Pisteuo describes the act of intellectually agreeing that something is true to the extent that you will rely on it and hand over your confidence fully.

It means to be so completely convinced of something that you will commit to it.

A regular synonym in the New Testament for trust is the word believe and you will probably see this word (along with faith) more than trust.

Believing (trusting) in Jesus is necessary for salvation:

But to all who did receive him [Jesus], who believed [pisteuo] in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 ESV

The word pisteou is all over the Gospel of John because his aim was to convince his readers to believe in Jesus.

…but these are written so that you may believe  [pisteuo] that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [pisteuo] you may have life in his name. (John 20:31 ESV)

Another English word that is used for pisteuo is entrust:

Now when he [Jesus] was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed [pisteuo] in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust [pisteuo] himself to them, because he knew all people. John 2:23-24 ESV

Notice in this verse that Jesus did not trust those who appeared to trust Him. 

God knows if we really do trust Him. Our lips can say one thing, our actions can show something too.

But God knows if the truest sentiments of our hearts align with the authenticity He is wanting from us.

God wants to be able to have pisteou towards us as well.

Three ways to trust God

I am going to make a weird and daring statement:

There are many Christians who have faith in God but do not trust God.

Trusting God is more than just agreeing that God exists.

Remember the picture of batach. Being on your face before God.

And remember the requirement of pisteou. Complete commitment.

Here are three ways that you can put this little word into practice:

#1 – Hand over your decision-making powers to God’s control. Proverbs 3:5 is a popular verse that tells us to trust God instead of learning on our own understanding.

God will not make a decision for you that you would not make for yourself.

#2 – Deal with anxiety in a God-honoring way. Philippians 4:6 encourages us to pray as an expression of our trust in God as well as give thanks.

So often we think that our trials are ours to find solutions for. As a child of God, you have access to a boundless storehouse of solutions. 

When you pray with thanksgiving, God shows up.

#3 – Look back. A great way to reinforce your trust in God is to look back at the many times He has come through for you. This is the idea behind Samuel’s actions when he set up the Ebenezer stone.

Take this exercise a step further and write down a list of the many ways you can recall God showing up. Enter a season of prayers of thanksgiving.

God will appreciate that very much.

Final words on the biblical meaning of trust

True meaning of trust is more than just an intellectual agreement that God exists. It requires putting your whole self into it.

It is hard for a marriage to grow where there is no trust. It’s the same with God.

True trust exists in a solid relationship with God. I pray you will spend some quality time with God each day.

Get to know Him more. That’s also a great place to start learning to trust God.

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