חָפֵץ (cha.phets)
cha.phets
delighting
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb cha.phets describes a deep, active delight or pleasure in something. It goes beyond simple preference to indicate a strong desire or satisfaction with a person, action, or outcome. In the Old Testament, this word often appears when God expresses His pleasure in righteousness or when individuals find joy in following His ways.
Its usage highlights a relational dynamic where delight is mutual. For instance, Psalm 147:11 notes that the Lord takes delight in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love. Similarly, Nehemiah 2:10 records that Sanballat was displeased because Nehemiah had come to seek the welfare of Israel, implying a contrast between Cha.phets’ positive delight and opposition’s negative reaction.
The word carries significant theological weight, especially in describing God’s character. It is not merely an emotional response but an intentional affirmation. When Scripture says God delights in mercy (Hosea 6:6), it conveys His fundamental nature and values. This concept encourages believers to align their desires with God’s, finding true satisfaction in what He finds pleasing.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word cha.phets describes a deep, active delight that goes beyond simple preference. It indicates a strong satisfaction in a person or action, often highlighting a relational dynamic where joy is mutual. When Scripture says God delights in mercy, it conveys His fundamental nature and values rather than just an emotional response.
This concept encourages believers to align their desires with God’s, finding true satisfaction in what He finds pleasing. Nehemiah 1:11 shows this clearly, as he prays for those who delight to fear the Lord's name. Such alignment brings peace, knowing that our hearts can rest in the same goodness that pleases God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- willing1×
- the/ [one] desiring1×
- [the] [people] desirous of1×
- [is one] desirous of1×
- [are] desiring1×
- [are] delighting1×
- <the>/ desiring1×
- <the>/ delighting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָפֵ֥ץ1×
- חָפֵ֣ץ1×
- חֲפֵצָ֔ה1×
- חֲפֵצֵ֪י1×
- חֲפֵצִים֙1×
- הַֽ/חֲפֵצִים֙1×
- הֶֽ/חָפֵץ֙1×
- הֶ֝/חָפֵ֗ץ1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 1:11
Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
This verse defines the identity of God's people as those who actively delight in fearing His name, linking reverence with joy.
-
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.
Here the word reveals God's character, showing that His forgiveness is rooted in a fundamental delight in loving kindness rather than anger.
-
Psalms 35:27
Let those who favor my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad. Yes, let them say continually, “May Yahweh be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!”
The psalmist connects personal joy to the realization that Yahweh takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant, affirming God's supportive presence.