חֵסֵד
chêçêd · H2617 · Hebrew · 247 occurrences
Meanings
-
loyalty, faithfulness, devotion
State in which humans or deities are committed towards fulfilling their obligations and show that by their actions; these obligations include responsibilities towards kinspeople, spouses, friends, covenant partners, and people to whom one is indebted as a result of favors received
ExamplesGenesis 19:19 “Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your compassion, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die;
Genesis 20:13 and it came about, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is the kindness which you will show to me: everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
Genesis 21:23 so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my descendants, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have resided.”
-
favor
Literally: to carry favor; hence: state in which humans experience a positive and affectionate attitude from someone else
ExamplesEsther 2:9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice female attendants from the king’s palace, and transferred her and her attendants to the best place in the harem.
Esther 2:17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal turban on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
-
disgrace, shameful act
Event that brings disgrace upon the person performing it
ExamplesLeviticus 20:17 ‘If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
How it’s used In 10 roles
Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.
the word studied the word it goes with
Whose, or of whatGenitive or possessive
148 occurrences in 14 groups
- הוּhis 66
- ךָyour 52
- יmy 10
- יְהֹוָהthe LORD, YHWH 7
- Other words · 10 groups that occur once or twice (13) 13
Words describing itAdjectives, demonstratives, participles
12 occurrences in 6 groups
- עָשָׂהto do, to make 5
- גָּדוֹלgreat, large 3
- זֶהthis 2
- אַחֲרוֹןlast, latter, next 1
- רִאשׁוֹןfirst, former 1
- שָׁבַעto swear, to take an oath 1
Named alongside itApposition
1 occurrences in 2 groups
- בְּרִיתcovenant, treaty 1
- אָמַןto believe, to be faithful, to trust 1
What it doesIt is the subject
19 occurrences in 16 groups
- Other words · 16 groups that occur once or twice (19) 19
What is done to itIt is the object
88 occurrences in 29 groups
- עָשָׂהto do, to make 36
- שָׁמַרto keep, to guard, to observe 10
- זָכַרto remember 5
- יָדָהto give thanks, to praise, to confess 4
- נָטָהto stretch out, to incline 3
- עָזַבto forsake, to leave 3
- Other words · 23 groups that occur once or twice (27) 27
Second object ofSecond object
3 occurrences in 3 groups
- עָטַרto surround 1
- רָאָהto see 1
- שָׁמַעto hear, to listen, to obey 1
What it is said to bePredicate
63 occurrences in 19 groups
- עוֹלָםforever 42
- גָּדוֹלgreat, large 3
- טוֹבgood 3
- Other words · 16 groups that occur once or twice (16) 16
What is said to be itIt is the predicate
5 occurrences in 5 groups
- הוּאhe, she, it 1
- זֶהthis 1
- חַטָּאָהsin, sin offering 1
- אֹרַחpath, way 1
- תַּאֲוָהdesire, longing, craving 1
After prepositionsPrepositional phrases
30 occurrences in 6 groups
- בin/on/with 24
- כlike/as 16
- לto/for 8
- מַעַןfor the sake of, so that 4
- עַלon, upon, over, against 2
- מִןfrom 1
In phrases “… of it”It is the genitive
15 occurrences in 7 groups
- רֹבmultitude, abundance, numerous 7
- אִישׁman, person, each 2
- אֱלֹהִיםGod, gods 2
- גֹּדֶלgreatness 1
- מֶלֶךְking 1
- פֶּהmouth 1
When two words share a role, as in “Paul and Barnabas said”, the verse appears under each, so a section’s counts can add up to more than the number of occurrences.
MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
In the other Testament 3 words
- ἔλεος éleos · G1656 · to show mercy, to be merciful toward, to have mercy on
- Greek ἔλεος emphasizes compassion as active mercy, closely corresponding to Hebrew חֵסֵד's core sense of covenant loyalty and steadfast loving-kindness, particularly in divine contexts where both terms denote merciful faithfulness.
- ἐλεημοσύνη eleēmosýnē · G1654 · acts of charity, alms, giving to the needy
- ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosýnē, G1654) ἐλεημοσύνη specifically denotes compassionate action expressed through charitable deeds or almsgiving (concrete beneficence), whereas חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) חֵסֵד encompasses the broader covenantal loyalty, steadfast love, and faithful kindness that may or may not involve material acts of charity.
- ἐλεήμων eleḗmōn · G1655 · merciful
- ἐλεήμων (eleḗmōn, G1655) ἐλεήμων denotes the active disposition of compassion (an adjective describing one who shows mercy), while חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) חֵסֵד encompasses the broader covenant loyalty, kindness, and mercy as both noun and relational concept; ἐλεήμων represents the Greek adjectival rendering of the compassionate-merciful aspect within חֵסֵד's wider semantic range.
Semantic domains 3 entries
- Faithful002001002008
- The word denotes covenant loyalty or faithfulness shown toward another, as in Genesis 21:23's and 24:12's appeals to the kindness owed within a sworn relationship.
- Love002001002018
- The word denotes loving-kindness or compassionate favor, as in Genesis 19:19's description of the compassion shown in sparing a life.
- Shame002001002025
- The word can carry the negative sense of reproach or a shameful deed, an older meaning noted alongside its far more common sense of kindness.
Word family 4 words
Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H2617. checed חֶ֫סֶד: 247 noun masculine2Sa 16:17 goodness, kindness; — absolute ׳ח Gen…
חֶ֫סֶד: 247 noun masculine2Sa 16:17 goodness, kindness; — absolute ׳ח Gen 24:12 85t.; חָ֑סֶד Gen 39:21 Gen 39:12t.; construct חֶסֶד 1Sa 20:14 1Sa 20:8t.; suffix חַסְדִּי Psalm 59:18 120t. suffixes; plural חֲסָדִים Gen 32:11; construct חַסֵדֵי Isa 55:3 Isa 55:5t. (BaerJes p. 79 Ges§ 93, R, 1. F.); suffix חֲסָדַי Neh 13:14 + 10t. suffixes; (not in H or P).
I. of man:
1 kindness of men towards men, in doing favours and benefits 1Sa 20:15; 2Sa 16:17; Psa 141:5; Pro 19:22; Pro 20:6; ׳ח יהוה 1Sa 20:14 the kindness of ׳י (such as he shews, Thes MV; that sworn to by oath to Yahweh Mich Dathe; shewn out of reverence to Yahweh Th Ke); compare ׳ח אלהים 2Sa 9:3; ׳תּוֺרַתאח Pro 31:26 instruction in kindness, kindly instruction עִמָּדִי חֶסֶד עָשָׂה do or shew kindness (in dealing) with me Gen 20:13; Gen 40:14 (E), 1Sa 20:14; 2Sa 10:2 (עִמִּי in || 1Ch 19:2); with עִם Gen 21:23 (E), Gen 24:12, Gen 24:14; Jos 2:12 (twice in verse); Jdg 1:24 (J), Jdg 8:35; 1Sa 15:6; 2Sa 2:5; 2Sa 3:8; 2Sa 9:1; 2Sa 9:3; 2Sa 9:7, 10:20a = 1Ch 19:2a, 1Ch 19:2b 2Ch 24:22; with עַל 1Sa 20:8 with לְ 1Ki 2:7; ח ׳נשׂא לפני obtain kindness before Est 2:9, Est 2:17; ח ׳היטיב Rth 3:10.
2 kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy Pro 20:28; Job 6:14; חסד אישׁ merciful man Pro 11:17 (opposed to אַכְזָרִי); ח ׳מַלְכֵּי merciful kings 1Ki 20:31; ח ׳עשׂה Psa 109:16; in this sense usually with other attributes (see also below II.2); || אמת Hos 4:1; Isa 16:5; ׳ח ואמת Pro 3:3; Pro 14:22; Pro 16:6; Pro 20:28; ח ׳עשׂה ואמת Gen 24:49; Gen 47:29; Jos 2:14 (J; RV gives thse under 1); || צדקה Hos 10:12; וח ׳צדקה Pro 21:21; || משׁפט Mic 6:8; ׳ח ומשׁפט Hos 12:7; || חוֺנֵן Psa 109:12; ׳ח ורחמים Zec 7:9; Dan 1:9. — (On Hos 6:4, Hos 6:6 see 3 below)
3 (rarely) affection if Israel to ׳י love to God, piety: ׳ח נְעוּרַיִךְ Jer 2:2 priety of thy youth (|| love of thine espousals to Yahweh); possibly also כַּעֲנַןבֹּֿקֶר חַסְדְּכֶם Hos 6:4 your piety is like a morning cloud (fleeting), and וְלאֹזָֿ֑בַח חָפַצְתִּי חֶסֶד כִּי Hos 6:6 for piety I delight in and not in peace-offering (|| אלהים דעת, compare 1Sa 15:22); — so Wü Now Hi (1Sa 15:4) Che; Ke Hi (1Sa 15:6) al. below 2 (or
1); — חֶסֶד נַנְשֵׁי men of piety Isa 57:1 (|| צַדִּיק); plural pious acts2Ch 32:32; 2Ch 35:26; Neh 13:14.
4 lovely appearance: הַשָֹּׁדֶה כְּצִיץ כָּלחַֿסְדּוֺ Isa 40:6 all its loveliness as the flower of the field (so Thes Hi De Che Di and others; but δόξα ᵐ51Pe 1:24 & gloria ᵑ9 favour an original reading הוֺדוֺ Lo or כְּבֹדוֺ Ew, see BrMP 375; Du הֲדָרוֺ).
II. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescendig to the needs of his creatures. He is חַסְדָּם their goodness favour Jon 2:9; חַסְדִּי Psa 144:2; חַסְדִּי אֱלֹהֵי God of my kindness Psalm 59:18; in Psa 59:11 read חַסְדּוֺ אֱלֹהַי my God with his kindness ᵑ9 ᵐ5 Ew Hup De Pe Che Bae; his is the kindness Psalm 62:13; it is with him Psa 130:7; he delights in it Mic 7:18.
1 specifically lovingkindness:
a. in redemption from enemies and troubles Gen 19:19; Gen 39:21 (J), Exo 15:13 (song), Jer 31:3; Ezr 7:28; Ezr 9:9; Psa 21:8; Psa 31:17; Psa 31:22; Psa 32:10; Psa 33:22; Psa 36:8; Psa 36:11; Psa 42:9; Psalm 44:27; Psa 48:10; Psa 59:17; Psa 66:20; Psa 85:8; Psa 90:14; Psa 94:18; Psa 107:8; Psa 107:15; Psa 107:21; Psa 107:31; Psa 143:8; Psa 143:12; Job 37:13; Rth 1:8; Rth 2:20; men should trust in it Psa 13:6; Psalm 52:10; rejoice in it Psa 31:8; hope in it Psa 33:18; Psa 147:11.
b. in preservation of life from death Psa 6:5; Psa 86:13; Job 10:12.
c. in quickening of spiritual life Psa 109:26; Psa 119:41; Psa 119:76; Psa 119:88; Psa 119:124; Psa 119:149; Psa 119:159.
d. in redemption from sin Psa 25:7; Psa 51:3.
e. in keeping the covenants, with Abraham Mic 7:20; with Moses and Israel וְ(הַ)חֶסֶד הַבְּרִית שׁמר keep-eth the covenant and the lovingkindness Deu 7:9, Deu 7:12; 1Ki 8:23 2Ch 6:14; Neh 1:5; Neh 9:32; Dan 9:4; with David and his dynasty 2Sa 7:15 = 1Ch 17:13; 2Sa 22:51 = Psalm 18:51, 1Ki 3:6 (twice in verse) = 2Ch 1:8; Psa 89:29; Psa 89:34; with the wife Zion Isa 54:10.
2 חֶסֶד is grouped with other divine attributes: ואמת חסד kindness (lovingkindness) and fidelity Gen 24:27 (J), Psa 25:10; Psa 41:11; Psa 40:12; Psa 57:4; Psa 61:8; Psa 85:11; Psa 89:15; Psa 115:1; Psa 138:2; ח ׳עשׂה עם ואמת 2Sa 2:6; 2Sa 15:20 (ᵐ5, see Dr); with אֶתֿ Gen 24:49; ח ׳רַב ואמת Exo 34:6 (JE), Psa 86:15; also || אמת Mic 7:20; Psa 26:3; Psa 117:2; || אֱמוּנָה Psa 88:12; Psa 89:3; Psa 92:3; וח ׳אמונה Psa 89:25; ׳ח ואמונה Psa 98:3; || רחמים Psa 77:9; ׳ח ורחמים Jer 16:5; Hos 2:21; Psa 103:4; ׳ח ומשׁפט Jer 9:23; Psa 101:1; || צדקה Psa 36:11; וח ׳טוב Psa 23:6.
3 the kindness of God is
a. abundant: רַבחֶֿסֶד abundant, plenteous in kindness (goodness) Num 14:18 (J), Neh 9:17 (Qr), Joe 2:13; Jon 4:2; Psa 86:5; Psa 103:8 (compare Exo 34:6 J E; Psa 86:15); חַסְדְּךָ רֹב Neh 13:22; Psa 5:8; Psa 69:14; Psa 106:7 (ᵑ9 ᵐ5 Aq Targan, to be preferred to חֲסָדֶיךָ ᵑ0); חֲסָדָו֯ רֹב Lam 3:32; Psa 106:45 (Kt ᵐ5 in both to be preferred).
b. great in extent: חִ ׳נֹּדֶל greatness of thy mercy Num 14:19 (J); ׳נְּדָו֯וֺלחֿ Psa 145:8; it is kept for thousands Exo 34:7 (JE), Jer 32:18, especially of those connected with lovers of ׳י, Exo 20:6 = Deu 5:10; for 1000 Generations Deu 7:9; it is great as the heavens Psa 57:11; Psa 103:11, compare Psa 36:6; Psa 108:5; the earth is full of it Psa 33:5; Psa 119:64.
c. everlasting: חסדוֺ לעולם Jer 33:11; 1Ch 16:34, 1Ch 16:41; 2Ch 5:13; 2Ch 7:3, 2Ch 7:6; 2Ch 20:21; Ezr 3:11; Psa 100:5; Psa 106:1; Psa 107:1; Psa 118:1; Psa 118:2; Psa 118:3; Psa 118:4; Psa 118:29; Psa 136:1 (26 t.); לעולם חסדךָ Psa 138:8; עולם ועד ׳ח מעולם Psa 103:17; ׳ח עולם Isa 54:8; היום ׳ח כּל אל Psa 52:3.
d. good: חַסְדְּךָ כִּיטֿוֺב Psa 69:17; Psa 109:21; מחיים חסדךָ טוב כי Psa 63:4.
4 plural mercies, deeds of kindness, the historic displays of lovingkindness to Israel: shewn to Jacob Gen 32:11 (R); but mostly late Isa 63:7; Psa 25:6; Psa 89:2; חסִדיו כְּרֹב Isa 63:7, see
3a; promised in the Davidic covenant Psalm Isa 89:50; דָוִיד חַסְדֵי mercies to David Isa 55:3; 2Ch 6:42; mercies in General Lam 3:22; Psa 17:7; Psa 107:43f. — חֶסֶד in proper name, masculine ׳בןחֿ see below בֵּן. On Lev 20:17; Pro 14:34 see חֶסֶד below II. חסד.
II. חֶ֫סֶד noun masculine shame, reproach, only absolute: — ׳ח הוּא Lev 20:17 (H) it is a shame (shameful thing); ׳ח חַטָּאת לְאֻמִּים Pro 14:34 sin is a reproach to peoples.
Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain
Topical studies with this word 3 entries
Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
Sources
eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0
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