חָשַׁק (cha.shaq)
cha.shaq
to desire; to connect
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The verb chashaq describes a deep attachment or longing that binds one person to another. In its most common usage, it signifies being captivated by someone’s presence or character, leading to a strong desire for closeness. This is not merely casual affection but a powerful emotional pull that influences behavior and loyalty.
A striking feature of this word is its rare Piel form, which means "to furnish with fillets" or rings. This specialized usage likely derives from the idea of securing something tightly, much like how love secures the heart to another. The connection between physical binding and emotional attachment highlights how ancient Hebrew thought linked tangible actions with inner feelings.
Scripture uses chashaq to portray relationships where one party is deeply drawn to another, such as when a person longs for God’s presence or when romantic love binds partners together. Its occurrence in Psalms often reflects a soul’s yearning for divine connection, while other contexts show human bonds formed through intense affection.
Translators typically render chashaq as "love" or "desire," though these English terms can sometimes feel too broad. The Hebrew word carries a specific weight of attachment and longing that goes beyond simple preference, pointing to a profound commitment rooted in genuine connection.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word chashaq describes a deep, binding attachment that goes far beyond simple preference. It suggests a soul being captivated by another person or by God, creating a powerful pull toward closeness and loyalty. When Scripture uses this term, it often highlights relationships defined by intense affection, whether between partners or between the believer and the Creator.
In Deuteronomy 10:15, we see that Yahweh’s love for Israel was not based on their size or strength, but on His own delight in them. This reveals a God who actively chooses to bind Himself to His people with a steadfast affection. Such love is not casual; it is a deliberate commitment that shapes identity and destiny.
When you feel drawn to God, you are participating in this same kind of profound connection. It is an invitation to rest in the knowledge that you are deeply valued and securely held by One who delights in you. This assurance provides a stable foundation for your faith journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he loved2×
- he desired2×
- you loved1×
- it loves1×
- he loves1×
- and/ you will love1×
- and/ he furnished with bands1×
- [will be] furnished with bands1×
- [were] furnished with bands1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים2×
- חָשַׁק֙2×
- חָשַׁ֧ק1×
- חָשַׁ֥ק1×
- חָשַׁ֤קְתָּ1×
- חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה1×
- חָ֭שַׁק1×
- וְ/חָשַׁקְתָּ֣1×
- וְ/חִשַּׁ֥ק1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 10:15
Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.
This verse highlights God’s active choice to delight in His people, showing that divine love is initiated by grace rather than human merit.
-
Psalms 91:14
“Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
Here the psalmist links personal deliverance directly to God’s prior attachment, demonstrating that divine protection flows from a relationship of deep love.
-
Genesis 34:8
Hamor talked with them, saying, “The soul of my son, Shechem, longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
This occurrence illustrates the human side of chashaq, where a prince’s intense longing for a woman drives his actions, showing the word's power in human relationships.