חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed)
che.sed
kindness; shame
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 194 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chesed describes a loyal, steadfast love that acts with kindness toward others. It appears 194 times in Scripture, with frequent use in Psalms and Samuel. This word captures the depth of covenant loyalty, where one person remains faithful to another despite changing circumstances. It is not merely a fleeting emotion but a committed action that supports the vulnerable and needy.
While often translated as "lovingkindness" or "mercy," chesed carries a stronger sense of duty and faithfulness. It reflects the character of God who consistently cares for His people, as seen in the Psalms where David recalls God's chesed toward Israel. The term also applies to human relationships, describing the mutual loyalty expected between friends or allies.
Interestingly, some lexicon sources note a secondary meaning of "shame" or "reproach," though this is rare and likely derived from a different root or context. In most biblical passages, chesed remains a positive force, highlighting the reliability of God's promises and the ethical obligations within human community. This dual aspect underscores the seriousness of covenant relationships in ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chesed describes a loyalty that does not fade when circumstances change. It is more than a feeling; it is a steady commitment to act with kindness toward those who cannot repay you. When we read about God’s chesed in the Psalms, we see a promise that He will not abandon His people even when they struggle or fail. This reliability offers a deep sense of security for anyone facing uncertainty.
Human relationships also reflect this pattern when we choose to stay faithful despite difficulties. Abraham’s servant asked for this same kind of steadfast love to guide his search for a wife for Isaac, trusting that God would provide a partner defined by such loyalty. We can invite this same spirit into our own lives by treating others with consistent grace, knowing that the One who loves us remains constant.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 194 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- covenant loyalty/ his50×
- covenant loyalty37×
- loyalty23×
- covenant loyalty/ your15×
- according to/ covenant loyalty/ your6×
- and/ <the>/ covenant loyalty5×
- and/ loyalty4×
- [the] covenant loyalty of4×
- [the] covenant loyalti<es> of4×
- loyalty/ your3×
- covenant loyalti<es>/ your3×
- covenant loyalti<es>/ his3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַסְדּֽ/וֹ\׃37×
- חֶ֔סֶד12×
- חֶ֣סֶד11×
- חַסְדּ֑/וֹ8×
- חֶ֥סֶד8×
- חָ֑סֶד6×
- חֶ֙סֶד֙5×
- חֶ֖סֶד5×
- חָֽסֶד\׃4×
- חַסְדְּ/ךָ֣4×
- חַסְדּ֔/וֹ3×
- חֶ֝֗סֶד3×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 34:6
Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth,
This verse defines the core character of God as abundant in this steadfast love and truth.
-
Genesis 24:12
He said, “Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
The servant explicitly asks for this loyalty to guide his mission, showing it is a practical guide for daily life.
-
Ruth 1:8
Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
Naomi blesses her daughters-in-law with this term, linking it to their faithful care for the dead and for her.
-
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that Yahweh your God himself is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness to a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commandments,
This passage connects God's faithfulness directly to His role as a faithful God who keeps covenant promises across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main meaning of chesed?
How is chesed different from general kindness?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (194 verses across 28 books)
Genesis 10 verses
See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown…
Genesis 20:13When God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you shall show to me.…
Genesis 21:23Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son.…
Genesis 24:12He said, “Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
Genesis 24:14Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says,…
Genesis 24:27He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his loving kindness and his truth…
Genesis 24:49Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or…
Genesis 39:21But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Genesis 40:14But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me…
Genesis 47:29The time came near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, “If now I have found favor in…