חָדָה (cha.dah)
cha.dah
to rejoice
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chādah conveys a sense of rejoicing or being glad. It appears in only two verses in the Old Testament, found in Exodus and Job. In its basic form (Qal), it describes the act of rejoicing itself. When used in the intensive stem (Piel), the meaning shifts slightly to mean making someone else joyful or gladdening them.
This word is rare, appearing just twice in Scripture. Its limited usage means it does not carry the same weight as more common terms for joy like śimchā. Instead, it offers a specific, focused instance of gladness. In Job, it reflects a moment of relief or happiness amidst suffering. In Exodus, it likely relates to the joy brought by God’s deliverance.
Understanding chādah helps readers appreciate the variety of ways Hebrew expresses joy. While other words might describe lasting happiness or deep celebration, chādah points to a distinct, often sudden, feeling of gladness. Its rarity reminds us that even simple emotions are part of the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chādah captures a specific moment of gladness, appearing only twice in the Old Testament. In Exodus, Jethro uses it to describe his reaction to God’s deliverance of Israel. This is not a vague feeling but a concrete response to seeing goodness realized. It reminds us that joy often arises from recognizing God’s active intervention in history and in our own lives.
Conversely, Job uses the word in a curse, wishing for a night that will never rejoice. This contrast highlights how deeply connected this emotion is to life and light. When we experience chādah, we are participating in the same human response found in Scripture—whether celebrating rescue or mourning loss. It validates our emotions as part of our spiritual journey.
For your faith, this rare word offers a quiet encouragement. You do not need grand celebrations to find joy. Even simple moments of relief or happiness are significant. God sees these small instances of gladness and uses them to sustain you through difficult seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it rejoice1×
- and/ he rejoiced1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִ֭חַדְּ1×
- וַ/יִּ֣חַדְּ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 18:9
Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.
Jethro uses this verb to describe his personal reaction to seeing Yahweh’s deliverance, linking joy directly to observed divine action.
-
Job 3:6
As for that night, let thick darkness seize on it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of the months.
Job wishes for a night that will never rejoice, using the word to emphasize the total absence of life and light in his desired curse.