חָסַד
𐤇𐤎𐤃
châçad
H2616 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To show loyal love, devotion, or covenantal kindness; to act with enduring love or faithfulness often grounded in a committed relationship. The root denotes acts of steadfast kindness, benevolence, and reliability toward another, especially within the context of an established bond or covenant. Less frequently, it conveys the sense of acting shamefully, reproaching, or putting to shame, suggesting relational failure or breach of obligation.
Semantic Range
to act with loyal love, to demonstrate covenant faithfulness, to show steadfast kindness, to act with benevolence, to fulfill obligations of devotion, to reprove by exposing shame (rare)
Root / Etymology
Root ח-ס-ד (חָסַד), usually interpreted as originally expressing 'loyalty' or 'devotion.' Derivation is uncertain; some connect it to expressions of bowing or humility, but primary associations in Biblical Hebrew emphasize steadfast love or loyalty in relational contexts rather than mere kindness or grace. Etymology distinct from חָנַן ('to show favor, grant grace') and בָרַךְ ('to bless').
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָסַד occurs mainly as a verb in contexts emphasizing relational loyalty and steadfast love, particularly as foundational to Israelite concepts of covenant and interpersonal obligations. In pre-exilic and monarchic texts, it frequently describes the quality or action of those upholding a familial, dynastic, or social bond, as when Israelites are exhorted to 'do חֶסֶד' within the covenant community. The term is not synonymous with generalized mercy or kindness; its primary field is one of loyal, enduring devotion and practical reliability within an established connection. Very occasionally, especially in poetic or wisdom literature, it takes on a contrary sense ('put to shame,' 'act faithlessly') reflecting breach or inversion of expected loyalty. English translations ('mercy,' 'kindness,' 'lovingkindness,' 'loyalty') can be imprecise or incomplete, as they often neglect the root's emphasis on covenantal or relational fidelity. In later periods, related nouns such as חֶסֶד became central to Second Temple and rabbinic speech, evolving in meaning. The theological notion of 'grace' associated with later theology is not original to חָסַד.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; (compare חָנַן); (compare בָרַךְ); properly, perhaps to bow (the neck only in courtesy to an equal), i.e. to be kind; also (by euphemistically, but rarely) to reprove; shew self merciful, put to shame.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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חסד (ḥ-s-d) — loyalty, steadfast love, covenant devotion, faithfulness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1136 | בֶּן־חֶסֶד | steadfast covenantal loyalty |
| H2617 | חֵסֵד | in steadfast loyalty |
| H2619 | חֲסַדְיָה | and Yahweh-has-shown-steadfast-love |
| H2623 | חָסִיד | loyal-love devotee |
| H2624 | חֲסִידָה | stork |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2616-01 |
תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד | titechasad | HVti2ms |
you show yourself merciful | you show yourself loyal | 2 |
H2616-02 |
יְחַסֶּדְ/ךָ֥ | yechasedekha | HVpi3ms/Sp2ms |
reproach you | he will loyally-love you | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2616-01 |
2 Samuel 22:26 | תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד | titechasad | HVti2ms |
you show yourself merciful | you show yourself loyal |
H2616-01 |
Psalms 18:26 | תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד | titechasad | HVti2ms |
you-will-show-Yourself-merciful | you show yourself loyal |
H2616-02 |
Proverbs 25:10 | יְחַסֶּדְ/ךָ֥ | yechasedekha | HVpi3ms/Sp2ms |
reproach you | he will loyally-love you |