There are songs you hear once and never forget. Hatikvah lyrics have that effect on people, a melody so quiet it almost whispers, yet words that carry the weight of two thousand years.
Maybe you heard it at a friend’s Bar Mitzvah, watched it being sung at the Olympics, or came across a video online that left you searching for what it actually means.
Whatever brought you here, you are not alone. In this article, you will find the complete Hatikvah lyrics in Hebrew, English transliteration, and English translation.
About the National Anthem
Hatikvah is the national anthem of the State of Israel. The title translates to “The Hope” in English, a name that perfectly captures the spirit of its lyrics.
The anthem is rooted in 19th-century Jewish poetry and reflects the long-held desire of the Jewish people to return to their ancestral homeland and live as a free nation.
Short, powerful, and sung in Hebrew, Hatikvah is performed at Israeli state ceremonies, Jewish community events, and international occasions worldwide.
For millions of Jewish people across the globe, hearing it is not just a cultural moment; it is a deeply personal one.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Title | “Tikvatenu” (תִּקְוָתֵנוּ, meaning “Our Hope”); later renamed “Hatikvah” (“The Hope”) |
| Year of Composition | 1877 (poem written); set to music in 1887 |
| Lyricist / Poet | Naphtali Herz Imber (1854–1909) a Jewish poet originally from Złoczów, Austrian Galicia |
| Melody Composer | Shmuel Cohen (1870–1940), a Jewish musician from Rishon LeZion, based the tune on a Romanian folk melody |
| Number of Verses | 9 in the original poem; only Verse I and the refrain are officially performed |
| First Public Performance | 1882, recited by Imber to Jewish pioneers in the early settlements of Rishon LeZion and Rehovot |
| Officially Adopted | 1948 (de facto, upon Israel’s declaration of independence); formally enshrined by the Knesset on November 10, 2004 |
| Key Themes | Hope, Jewish identity, longing for Zion, national rebirth, and freedom |
Full Hatikvah Lyric
Kol od ba’le’vav p’nima, Nefesh yehudi ho’miyah.
U’lefa-atei mizrach kadimah,
Ayin le’Tziyyon tzofiyah.
Od lo avda tikva-teinu,
Ha’tikvah bat sh’not al-payim
Lih-yot am chofshi b’ar-tzeinu
Eretz Tziyyon v’Yerushalayiz
Transalation
VERSE
For as long as within our hearts
the Jewish soul sings,
And as long as to the east
Forward to Zion looks the eye
CHORUS
Our hope will not be lost,
The hope of two thousand years
To be a free people in our land
The land of Zion and Jerusalem
Line-by-Line Meaning of the Hatikvah Lyrics
VERSE
- “For as long as within our hearts.” As long as Jewish people are alive, the feeling lives inside them, not just in memory, but deep in the heart.
- “The Jewish soul sings.” The Jewish spirit remains active, alive, and unbroken, no matter how much suffering or exile the people have endured.
- “And as long as to the east.” The direction of Jerusalem, Jewish people across the world traditionally face east when they pray, keeping Zion always in sight.
- “Forward to Zion looks the eye.” Every gaze, every prayer, every hope is pointed toward Zion, the spiritual and physical homeland of the Jewish people.
CHORUS
- “Our hope will not be lost.” Despite centuries of persecution and displacement, the Jewish people refused to give up their dream of return.
- “The hope of two thousand years.” This longing did not begin recently; it stretches back two millennia, surviving empires, exiles, and tragedies.
- “To be a free people in our land.” The dream was never just survival; it was full freedom and self-determination in their own sovereign homeland.
- “The land of Zion and Jerusalem.” Zion and Jerusalem are not just places; they represent the heart of Jewish identity, faith, and nationhood.
The Birth of an Anthem
Hatikvah was born in 1877 when Jewish poet Naphtali Herz Imber put his people’s deepest longing into words.
Inspired by the founding of Petah Tikva, one of the first Jewish settlements in Palestine, he wrote a nine-stanza poem that captured a collective dream that had lived in Jewish hearts for centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Language are the Hatikvah Lyrics Written In?
The Hatikvah lyrics are written in Hebrew, the ancient and official language of the Jewish people and the state of Israel.
How Many Stanzas Does Hatikvah Have?
The original poem had nine stanzas. The official version performed today uses only the first stanza and the refrain.
When was Hatikvah Officially Adopted as Israel’s Anthem?
Hatikvah became Israel’s de facto anthem in 1948 upon Independence. It Was Formally Adopted by The Knesset in 2004.
Is There an English Version of The Hatikvah Lyrics?
No official English version exists. Several translations are widely used, but none has been formally recognized by the Israeli government.
