חָסֹן (cha.son)
cha.son
strong
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective chason denotes physical strength or might. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within prophetic literature to describe powerful entities. In Isaiah 31:9, it modifies "glory," suggesting that divine judgment will dismantle the formidable power of Assyria. Similarly, Amos 2:14 applies the term to a warrior who is strong enough to flee on foot but cannot escape defeat.
This word emphasizes raw capability and robustness rather than moral virtue or spiritual depth. It describes the tangible force of an army or the physical prowess of a soldier. The sources indicate that chason is straightforward in meaning, focusing on the capacity to exert power or withstand pressure. Its rarity in Scripture highlights its specific use for highlighting overwhelming strength that is ultimately subject to God’s authority.
Translators typically render chason as "strong" or "mighty." The term serves as a reminder that human might, no matter how impressive, stands under the sovereignty of God. In both instances, this strength is shown to be insufficient against divine will, underscoring the biblical theme that true power belongs to the Lord alone.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chason describes raw physical power, often used in Scripture to highlight the limits of human strength. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times within prophetic literature to describe powerful entities that ultimately fall under God’s authority.
In Isaiah 1:31, the strong are compared to tinder, showing that even the mightiest forces burn away before divine judgment. Similarly, Amos 2:9 notes how a warrior described as strong as an oak is still destroyed by God. These passages remind us that true security does not come from our own capability or resilience.
When we face challenges that seem overwhelming, this word invites us to place our trust in the Lord who holds all power. His strength is perfect and enduring, unlike the temporary might of human armies or personal abilities. We can find peace knowing that God’s sovereignty surpasses every earthly force.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ strong [person]1×
- and/ [is] strong1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/חָסֹ֥ן1×
- הֶ/חָסֹן֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 1:31
The strong will be like tinder, and his work like a spark. They will both burn together, and no one will quench them.”
This verse uses chason to describe the 'strong' who become like tinder, illustrating how human power is consumed by divine judgment.
-
Amos 2:9
Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath.
Here the term highlights the Amorite's physical might as being 'strong as the oaks,' yet it emphasizes that God destroys even the most resilient foes.