חָשַׂךְ (cha.sakh)
cha.sakh
to withhold
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 26 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb chasakh means to hold back or restrain, often with a sense of deliberate conservation. It describes the act of keeping something for oneself rather than giving it away immediately. In Genesis 22:12 and 39:9, God and Potiphar’s wife use this word to describe withholding action or resources, highlighting a pause that prevents immediate release.
This term carries a wide range of nuances depending on context. It can refer to restraining one’s speech, as seen in Proverbs 10:19, where holding back one’s lips leads to wisdom. It also applies to physical restraint, such as Joab holding back his troops from pursuing the enemy in 2 Samuel 18:16. In Job 7:11, it describes the throat refusing to give voice to grief, showing its use in emotional or bodily self-control.
A notable feature of chasakh is its connection to sparing or preserving life. In Proverbs 13:24, withholding discipline is linked to hating a child, while in Job 33:18, God withholds the soul from the pit. This dual sense—holding back either harm or benefit—reflects the word’s flexibility in describing divine and human restraint.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chasakh describes the deliberate act of holding back or restraining something. In daily life, this often means keeping resources, words, or actions for a specific purpose rather than releasing them immediately. It is not merely about scarcity but about intentional control over what we possess or express.
For your faith, this concept highlights the wisdom of restraint. Proverbs 10:19 shows that holding back one’s lips leads to wisdom, suggesting that silence can be a protective and thoughtful choice. Similarly, Genesis 22:12 reveals God’s own restraint, where He withholds harm to confirm trust. This reminds us that not every impulse needs to be acted upon right away.
Understanding this word invites you to consider where you might need to pause. Whether it is in speech, spending, or reaction, chasakh encourages a mindful approach to life’s demands. It offers a space for reflection before action, helping you align your responses with deeper values rather than immediate urges.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 26 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you have withheld3×
- you refrain2×
- he has restrained2×
- [one who] restrains2×
- you will restrain1×
- they have withheld1×
- they have restrained1×
- it will restrain1×
- it will be restrained1×
- he will keep back1×
- he restrained1×
- he kept back1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָשַׂ֣ךְ3×
- יַחְשֹֽׂךְ\׃2×
- חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ2×
- תַּחְשֽׂוֹךְ\׃1×
- תַּחְשֹׂ֔ךְ1×
- תַּחְשֹׂ֑כִי1×
- יַחְשֹׂ֣ךְ1×
- יֵחָשֵׂ֣ךְ1×
- יֵחָ֣שֶׂךְ1×
- חָשָֽׂךְ\׃1×
- חָשָׂ֑כוּ1×
- חָשַׂ֥כְתִּי1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:12
He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
This verse shows God withholding harm to confirm Abraham's faith, demonstrating that restraint can be an act of confirmation rather than denial.
-
Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
Here the word links restraint of speech directly to wisdom, indicating that holding back words is a practical path to understanding.
-
Job 33:18
He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
God withholds the soul from the pit, illustrating how divine restraint preserves life and prevents destruction.
-
Proverbs 21:26
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
The righteous are described as those who do not withhold giving, contrasting selfish retention with generous action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chasakh mean in the Bible?
How is chasakh different from other words for saving?
Where does this word appear most often?
Does chasakh always have a negative meaning?
Every Occurrence (26 verses across 10 books)
Genesis 4 verses
God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld…
Genesis 22:12He said, “Don’t lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not…
Genesis 22:16and said, “‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son,…
Genesis 39:9No one is greater in this house than I am, and he has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife.…