← H2835 H2837 →

חָשַׁק

𐤇𐤔𐤒

châshaq

H2836 verb

SILEX Entry

Root חָשַׁק to bind, fasten, attach, be joined

Definition

To attach oneself to, to be bound to someone or something, to have a strong affection or desire for; connotes deep emotional attachment, commitment, or inclination toward a person, object, or idea. Used both literally (to bind or fasten physically) and figuratively (to deeply desire, be devoted, or cherish). The verb often expresses a love or attachment resulting in choosing or delighting in its object.

Semantic Range

to bind or fasten physically, to adhere to, to be attached emotionally, to long for, to desire, to delight in, to be devoted to, to set one's affection upon, to choose as the object of love or desire

Root / Etymology

Root: ח־ש־ק (חָשַׁק). The root meaning is to bind, fasten, or attach. The derived verb extends from the idea of physical binding to emotional or volitional attachment, encompassing affection, devotion, or longing. Though occasionally interchanged with חָשַׂךְ ('to withhold, restrain'), these have distinct etymologies.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, חָשַׁק is most often used to indicate a strong attachment, rarely used for casual or superficial affection. It appears both in contexts of romantic/erotic desire and of covenantal commitment (e.g., YHWH 'setting his affection' on Israel in Deut 7:7). The nuance is deeper than 'love' in English, as it emphasizes initiative or a choice to be bound. The noun form (חֶשֶׁק) refers to delight or pleasure. In later periods, the verb is used less frequently, but its noun forms persist in Hebrew and Aramaic. English translations generally render it as 'love,' 'set affection on,' or 'delight in,' but these may understate the intensity and commitment implied in biblical usage. Unlike related roots such as אָהַב (to love, usually emphasizing mutual relationship), חָשַׁק carries a sense of being drawn in or fastened with determination, sometimes one-sidedly or as an act of will.

Translation Consistency

primary "love" 4 occurrences

Most typical and natural rendering for חָשַׁק in Biblical usage is an intense attachment or devotion—'love' conveys deep affection, delight, choosing, and commitment. It is more natural English than 'attach' or 'cling' and covers the primary semantic range (emotional attachment, desire, devotion) while allowing secondary literal senses to be handled contextually.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):
"banded" (2x) "longs for" (1x) "filleted" (1x) "attached yourself" (1x) "bound yourself" (1x) "desired" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; also interchangeable for חָשַׂךְ; to cling, i.e. join, (figuratively) to love, delight in; elliptically; to deliver; have a delight, (have a) desire, fillet, long, set (in) love.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

חשק (ḥ-š-q) — bind, fasten, attach, join

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2837 חֵשֶׁק binding attachment
H2838 חָשֻׁק and their binding-bands
H2839 חִשֻּׁק and their joining-rods

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2836-01 חָשַׁ֧ק chashaq HVqp3ms did cling he attached himself he loved 5
H2836-04 מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים mechushaqim HVPsmpa banded firmly bound ones banded 2
H2836-03 חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה chasheqah HVqp3fs longs for she bound herself to longs for 1
H2836-06 וְ/חִשַּׁ֥ק vechishaq HC/Vpp3ms and banded and he attached himself and he banded 1
H2836-02 חָשַׁ֤קְתָּ chashaqeta HVqp2ms have loved you bound yourself bound yourself 1
H2836-05 וְ/חָשַׁקְתָּ֣ vechashaqeta HC/Vqq2ms and you are attached and you attached yourself and you attached yourself 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2836-03 Genesis 34:8 חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה chasheqah HVqp3fs longs for she bound herself to longs for
H2836-04 Exodus 27:17 מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים mechushaqim HVPsmpa filleted firmly bound ones filleted
H2836-04 Exodus 38:17 מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים mechushaqim HVPsmpa banded firmly bound ones banded
H2836-06 Exodus 38:28 וְ/חִשַּׁ֥ק vechishaq HC/Vpp3ms and banded and he attached himself and he banded
H2836-01 Deuteronomy 7:7 חָשַׁ֧ק chashaq HVqp3ms did cling he attached himself he loved
H2836-01 Deuteronomy 10:15 חָשַׁ֥ק chashaq HVqp3ms set his heart in love he attached himself he loved
H2836-05 Deuteronomy 21:11 וְ/חָשַׁקְתָּ֣ vechashaqeta HC/Vqq2ms and you are attached and you attached yourself and you attached yourself
H2836-01 1 Kings 9:19 חָשַׁק֙ chashaq HVqp3ms he desired he attached himself he loved
H2836-02 Isaiah 38:17 חָשַׁ֤קְתָּ chashaqeta HVqp2ms have loved you bound yourself bound yourself
H2836-01 Psalms 91:14 חָ֭שַׁק chashaq HVqp3ms he has loved he attached himself he loved
← H2835 Hebrew Lexicon H2837 →