חֶדְוָה (ched.vah)
ched.vah
joy
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun chedvah denotes a state of joy or gladness, appearing in only two verses within the Hebrew Bible: Nehemiah 8:10 and 1 Chronicles 29:22. In both instances, it describes the deep, communal relief and happiness experienced by God’s people after significant spiritual restoration or faithful service.
Lexical sources classify this term as late Biblical Hebrew, suggesting it may have been influenced by Aramaic usage during the post-exilic period. Its rarity in the text highlights its specific weight; it is not used for fleeting amusement but for a profound sense of well-being rooted in divine favor and communal unity.
Translators typically render chedvah as "joy" or "gladness," capturing an emotional response to God’s presence rather than mere intellectual assent. The word underscores the tangible relief felt by those who have returned from exile or completed sacred duties, marking joy as a corporate reality sustained by covenant faithfulness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chedvah describes a deep, communal gladness that arises from God’s presence and favor. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, marking moments of significant spiritual restoration. This is not fleeting amusement but a profound sense of well-being rooted in covenant faithfulness.
In Nehemiah 8:10, this joy becomes the strength for God’s people after returning from exile. They are told not to grieve because chedvah sustains them. It reminds us that true happiness comes from knowing God is with us, especially when we face difficult seasons or have completed sacred duties.
When life feels heavy, this word invites us to look for the joy that comes from above. It is a gift shared in community, reminding us that our strength does not come from ourselves but from the Lord who restores and sustains His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ joy1×
- [the] joy of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֶדְוַ֥ת1×
- וְ/חֶדְוָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”
This verse uniquely identifies chedvah as 'the joy of Yahweh,' showing it is a divine gift that becomes our strength rather than just an emotional reaction.
-
I Chronicles 16:27
Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and gladness are in his place.
Here the word appears alongside honor and majesty, linking this specific type of gladness directly to God’s presence in the sanctuary.