חָפֵץ (cha.phets)
cha.phets
to delight in; to sway
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 57 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chafets means to take pleasure in something or to find delight in it. It describes a deep satisfaction that goes beyond simple preference, indicating an active enjoyment of what is present or desired. In the Psalms and Isaiah, this word often captures the heart’s orientation toward God’s will or His creation, reflecting a genuine joy in alignment with divine purpose.
Its range includes both human and divine usage. People delight in wisdom or justice, while God delights in steadfast love rather than sacrifice. This dual application shows that chafets is not merely about emotional feeling but about valued commitment. When Esther 6:10 mentions Haman’s desire for honor, the word conveys a strong inclination toward what he seeks.
Interestingly, some sources link its root to the idea of bending down or leaning toward something, suggesting that delight involves turning one’s attention fully toward an object of affection. This physical image helps explain why chafets is used for God’s pleasure in His people — it implies a focused, intentional love rather than passive approval.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chafets describes a deep, active delight that goes beyond simple preference. It suggests a heart fully turned toward something or someone, finding genuine satisfaction in their presence or will. When Scripture speaks of God’s delight, it is not a passive approval but an intentional, focused love. This image helps us understand that our relationship with Him is built on mutual joy and valued commitment.
For your daily life, this word invites you to examine what truly captivates your attention. Do you find your rest in the pursuit of honor, as Haman did in Esther? Or do you seek the steady delight of walking in God’s ways, as described in the Psalms? True peace comes when your heart aligns with what God values most.
Consider how this word bridges human desire and divine pleasure. It reminds us that God is not distant or indifferent but takes joy in His people. This assurance allows you to approach Him with confidence, knowing that your sincere efforts to honor Him are seen and cherished by a Father who delights in steadfast love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 57 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he delights14×
- he delighted6×
- I desire5×
- that/ it will please3×
- he desires3×
- I desired3×
- they desire/ !2×
- they delight2×
- he will desire2×
- he desired2×
- I delight2×
- you pleased1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָפֵ֥ץ10×
- חָפַ֖צְתִּי5×
- חָפֵ֣ץ5×
- חָפֵ֖ץ4×
- שֶׁ/תֶּחְפָּֽץ\׃\ \ס3×
- יַחְפֹּ֣ץ3×
- חָפֵ֤ץ3×
- יַחְפְּצוּ\־2×
- חָפָֽצְתִּי\׃2×
- חָפַ֥צְתִּי2×
- יַחְפֹּץ֙1×
- יַחְפֹּ֧ץ1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 22:20
He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
This verse highlights God's personal delight in the believer, showing that deliverance is rooted in His affectionate commitment rather than mere duty.
-
Esther 6:6
So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?”
Here the word reveals Haman’s self-centered desire for honor, contrasting human pride with the humility required to truly delight in God.
-
I Samuel 19:1
Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David.
Jonathan’s deep delight in David illustrates how this word can describe profound loyalty and affection between friends that mirrors divine faithfulness.
-
Numbers 14:8
If Yahweh delights in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us: a land which flows with milk and honey.
Moses uses this term to remind the Israelites that their entry into the Promised Land depends entirely on Yahweh’s active pleasure in them.