חֶסֶד
𐤇𐤎𐤃
Cheçed
H2618
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper name referring to 'Chesed,' a son of Nahor and thus a member of Abraham's extended family; by extension, ancestral figure foundational to the formation of an Aramean or northern Mesopotamian clan or tribe. The sense of this word in the biblical context functions exclusively as a personal or ethnonymic designation rather than a common noun. The semantic range as a personal name does not include the abstract qualities associated with similar roots (such as 'kindness' for חֶסֶד in ordinary usage).
Semantic Range
(as a proper name) Chesed, personal name of a son of Nahor; (not applicable as a common noun in this form)
Root / Etymology
From the root חסד (chet-samekh-dalet), which in its common noun usage means 'steadfast love, kindness, loyalty,' but as a proper noun in this context is used strictly as a name. The name may signify desirable qualities, as was customary in ancient Near Eastern onomastics, but this is not certain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Genesis 22:22, Chesed is listed as one of the sons of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and Milcah. This positions Chesed as an ancestor of an Aramean (northern Mesopotamian) lineage, potentially reflecting a clan or territory related to Nahor's descendants in the early patriarchal narratives. The English form 'Chesed' or occasionally 'Hesed' appears in some translations, but should not be confused with the much more common and semantically significant noun חֶסֶד ('steadfast love, loyalty, faithfulness'), which serves a key role in biblical language about social and covenantal relationships. There is no association in the biblical text of this personal name with the later English term 'Jew,' nor is the name associated with Judahite or Judean identity. The use as a proper name is attested only in early genealogical sections and does not carry the ethical or religious connotations of the homograph noun. Comparisons with other Northwest Semitic naming practices suggest that names based on desirable qualities were common, but the specifics in this instance remain uncertain due to the limited occurrence of the name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as חֵסֵד; favor; Chesed, an Israelite; Hesed.
Bantu Hebrew
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0 distinct forms
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Occurrences in Scripture
0 total occurrences
No occurrences found.