חָסוּת
𐤇𐤎𐤅𐤕
châçûwth
H2622 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of trust, confidence, or reliance; specifically, the sense of security or assurance that comes from seeking or finding refuge, often in relation to a person, deity, or place. Implies both the act of trusting and the experience of protective shelter.
Semantic Range
trust, confidence, protective shelter, assurance, reliance (especially in the context of seeking refuge or protection)
Root / Etymology
From the root חָסָה (ḥ-s-h), meaning 'to seek refuge, take shelter, trust for protection.' חָסוּת is a feminine abstract noun derived by suffixation, expressing the result or state of seeking refuge.
Historical & Contextual Notes
חָסוּת appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Isaiah 30:2), and its use is generally in the context of individuals or groups seeking political or divine protection. In pre-exilic and monarchic contexts, the term often denotes the dependence of a vassal or client nation upon a more powerful overlord (as in Israel or Judah looking to Egypt for protection). It can also denote reliance on divine protection, reflecting themes of trust and security associated with seeking refuge in gods. The word is less common than related terms like מַחְסֶה (maḥseh, 'refuge, shelter') and מִבְטָח (mivtaḥ, 'security, confidence'), which have slightly broader or more concrete semantic ranges. Standard English translations like 'confidence' or 'trust' do not fully convey the nuance of protective shelter implied in Hebrew, especially within the context of ancient social and political dependency.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָסָה; confidence; trust.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חסה (ḥ-s-h) — seek refuge, take shelter, trust for protection
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2620 | חָסָה | she sought refuge |
| H2621 | חֹסָה | Protected One |
| H4268 | מַחֲסֶה | place of refuge |
| H4271 | מַחְסֵיָה | Yah-Is-Refuge |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2622-01 |
וְ/הֶ/חָס֥וּת | vehechasut | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the trust | and the refuge-trust | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2622-01 |
Isaiah 30:3 | וְ/הֶ/חָס֥וּת | vehechasut | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the trust | and the refuge-trust |