Figures of Speech in the Bible

Patience, Waiting, Longsuffering, and Endurance Imagery in the Bible

Patience imagery uses waiting, longsuffering, endurance, or quiet hope language to picture faith that remains steady under delay, trial, provocation, or promise not yet fulfilled.

Simple Definition Technical Definition Scripture Examples JSON Data

Simple definition

Patience imagery uses waiting, longsuffering, endurance, or quiet hope language to picture faith that remains steady under delay, trial, provocation, or promise not yet fulfilled.

Technical namePatience, waiting, longsuffering, endurance, quiet hope, delay, steadfastness, and persevering-under-trial imagery
Alternate namespatience imagery; waiting imagery; longsuffering imagery; endurance imagery; steadfastness imagery; quiet-hope imagery
Reader categoryFaith under delay, trial, covenant hope, divine forbearance, perseverance, and eschatological expectation / Patience imagery
Bullinger classSupplemental biblical imagery form
Source hintWave 44 draft-normalized patience/waiting review; distinguish passive delay, active trust, divine longsuffering, endurance under suffering, and eschatological patience.
Examples on page10

Technical definition

A perseverance-and-hope motif in which waiting, patience, longsuffering, endurance, quiet hope, or steadfastness language signifies trust during delay, covenant reliance, divine forbearance, trial-produced maturity, or expectation of the Lord’s coming.

Publication note: Examples are curated from the final Wave 46 source state. Some examples carry review notes where final Bible-text stream verification may still be prudent before public release.

Scripture examples

These examples show how Patience, Waiting, Longsuffering, and Endurance Imagery functions in biblical language, rhetoric, poetry, prophecy, narrative, or theological imagery.

Exod. 34:6
certain

longsuffering, and abundant in goodness

Longsuffering language reveals the LORD’s patient mercy within his covenant name.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Ps. 27:14
certain

Wait on the LORD

Waiting language commands courageous trust rather than anxious self-rescue.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Ps. 37:7
certain

rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him

Resting and waiting imagery describe quiet confidence while the wicked prosper temporarily.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Ps. 40:1
certain

I waited patiently for the LORD

Patient waiting precedes the LORD’s hearing and deliverance from the pit.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Isa. 40:31
certain

they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength

Waiting imagery pictures renewed strength supplied by God to the weary.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Lam. 3:25-26
certain

quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD

Quiet-waiting imagery models hope in God amid affliction.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Hab. 2:3
certain

though it tarry, wait for it

Waiting language teaches faithfulness until the appointed vision arrives.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Luke 21:19
certain

In your patience possess ye your souls

Patience imagery marks endurance and self-possession amid persecution.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
Rom. 5:3-4
certain

tribulation worketh patience

Patience is pictured as the fruit produced through suffering under grace.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.
James 5:7
certain

the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit

Farmer-waiting imagery illustrates patience until the coming of the Lord.

Source: draft_normalized_scripture_example — Wave 44 inner life/moral response fear/zeal/shame/joy/grief/patience/anger/desire/conscience imagery expansion
Review status: draft_normalized | Source/context check before final publication.

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