Meaning of Hebrew Word Chesed in Scripture
The Hebrew word חֶסֶד (chesed) appears 246 times in the Hebrew Bible, conveying a complex and multifaceted concept [1]. Brown-Driver-Briggs defines chesed as "goodness, kindness" and notes its association with covenant loyalty [1]. The term is often paired with other divine attributes, such as "faithfulness" (אֶמֶת) and "mercy" (רַחֲמִים) [7].
Chesed is used to describe both human and divine actions. In human relationships, it refers to acts of kindness, loyalty, and faithfulness, such as in 1 Samuel 20:14, where Jonathan asks David to show him the "chesed of the Lord" [1]. In the context of God's relationship with humanity, chesed is often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love," highlighting God's faithfulness to his covenant promises [6].
The Septuagint (LXX) typically translates chesed with the Greek word ἔλεος (eleos), meaning "mercy" or "compassion." This translation choice underscores the relational and covenantal aspects of chesed [2].
The distribution of chesed across the Hebrew Bible is noteworthy. It appears frequently in the Psalms, where it is often linked to God's redemption and salvation (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31) [6]. Chesed is also a key concept in the prophetic literature, particularly in Hosea and Micah, where it is associated with God's covenant faithfulness (Hosea 2:21; Micah 7:18) [5, 4].
The meaning of chesed has been interpreted in various ways throughout Jewish tradition. Rashi, a medieval Jewish commentator, understands chesed in Leviticus 20:17 as referring to a shameful or disgraceful act, highlighting the complexity of the term [9]. In contrast, Abraham Ibn Ezra interprets chesed in a more traditional sense, relating it to acts of kindness or faithfulness [8].
Reformed theologians have also grappled with the meaning of chesed. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, emphasizes the importance of understanding chesed in the context of God's covenant relationship with his people [10].
The translation history of chesed in English versions reflects its nuanced meaning. While the KJV often renders it as "lovingkindness" or "mercy," more recent translations, such as the NIV, use terms like "faithfulness" or "unfailing love" [3].
Sources
- Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H2617] checed (part 1/5) — H2617. checed חֶ֫סֶד: 247 noun masculine2Sam 16:17 goodness, kindness; — absolute ׳ח Gen 24:12 85t.; חָ֑סֶד 39:21 12t.; construct חֶסֶד 1Sam 20:14 8t.; suffix חַסְדִּי Psalm 59:18 120t. suffixes; plural חֲסָדִים Gen 32:11; construct חַסֵדֵי Isa 55:3 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 1Sam 20:15; 2Sam 16:17; Psa 141:5; Prov 19:22; 20:6; ׳ח יהוה 1Sam 20:14 the kindness of ׳י (such as he shews, Thes MV; that sworn to by oath to Yahw”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H2617a] H2617A = (H2617A) — goodness, kindness, faithfulness”
- Strong's Hebrew Dictionary “[H2617] חֵסֵד — Definition: kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty | Derivation: from H2616 (חָסַד); | KJV usage: favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.”
- STEPBible TAHOT “Mic.7.18#17=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): חֶ֖סֶד [Che.sed] "covenant loyalty"”
- STEPBible TAHOT “Hos.6.6#02=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): חֶ֥סֶד [Che.sed] "covenant loyalty"”
- Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H2617] checed (part 3/5) — He is חַסְדָּם their goodness favour Jonah 2:9; חַסְדִּי Psa 144:2; חַסְדִּי אֱלֹהֵי God of my kindness Psalm 59:18; in 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 130:7; he delights in it Micah 7:18. 1 specifically lovingkindness: a. in redemption from enemies and troubles Gen 19:19; 39:21 (J), Exod 15:13 (song), Jer 31:3; Ezra 7:28; 9:9; Psa 21:8; 31:17; 31:22; 32:10; 33:22; 36:8; 36:11; 42:9; Psalm 44:27; 48:10; 59:17; 66:20; 85:8; 90:14; 94:18; 107:8; 107:15; 107:21; 107:31;”
- Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H2617] checed (part 4/5) — 2 חֶסֶד is grouped with other divine attributes: ואמת חסד kindness (lovingkindness) and fidelity Gen 24:27 (J), Psa 25:10; 41:11; 40:12; 57:4; 61:8; 85:11; 89:15; 115:1; 138:2; ח ׳עשׂה עם ואמת 2Sam 2:6; 15:20 (ᵐ5, see Dr); with אֶתֿ Gen 24:49; ח ׳רַב ואמת Exod 34:6 (JE), Psa 86:15; also || אמת Micah 7:20; Psa 26:3; 117:2; || אֱמוּנָה 88:12; 89:3; 92:3; וח ׳אמונה 89:25; ׳ח ואמונה 98:3; || רחמים 77:9; ׳ח ורחמים Jer 16:5; Hosea 2:21; Psa 103:4; ׳ח ומשׁפט Jer 9:23; Psa 101:1; || צדקה 36:11; וח ׳טוב 23:6. 3 the kindness of God is a. abundant: רַבחֶֿסֶד abundant, plente”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 20:17: IT IS A SHAMEFUL THING. The word chesed (shameful thing) is related to yechassedkha (revile thee) in Lest he that heareth revile thee (Prov. 25:9). Chesed hu (it is a shameful thing) means it is an inflated act of harlotry. 53 Chesed usually has the meaning of an act of kindness, which is beyond the norm. Here it means an especially perverse evil act.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Leviticus 20:17: IT IS ‘CHESED.’ In the opinion of the commentators 269 Rashi and R’dak (in Sefer Hashorashim, root chesed ). chesed here means “shame,” because all people will naturally be ashamed of this ugly sin, this being used here as in the Aramaic language, for Onkelos translated, for that were ‘a disgrace’ unto us , 270 Genesis 34:14. “for that were chisudo unto us.” Yonathan ben Uziel also translated and I will lay it for ‘a reproach,’ 271 I Samuel 11:2. “[and I will lay it for] chisudo .” And in the language of the Sages [we find]: 272 Ruth Rabbah 7:11. “Becau”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 96: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.” “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” The same word is used in both clauses; the wicked are to go εἰς κόλασιν αἰώνιον ; and the 876 righteous εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον ; it must have the same sense in both. ( Matt. xxv. 41, 46 .) In John iii. 36 it is said: “‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Paul teaches us in 2 Thessalonians i. 9 th”