חֵ֫שֶׁק (che.sheq)
che.sheq
desire
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun che.sheq refers to a strong desire or longing, often describing the object of that affection rather than just the feeling itself. In the Old Testament, it appears in only four verses, primarily within historical and prophetic books such as 1 Kings, Isaiah, and 2 Chronicles. This scarcity gives the word a specific weight, marking moments where human longing intersects with divine judgment or blessing.
The sources indicate that che.sheq can mean either the abstract act of desiring or the concrete "thing desired." For instance, in 1 Kings 10:2 and Isaiah 32:12, it describes what is held dear or coveted. This dual nature allows translators to render it flexibly as "desire," "delight," or "precious thing," depending on whether the context emphasizes the internal emotion or the external object of love.
A key feature of this word is its frequent association with idolatry or misplaced devotion. In 2 Chronicles 36:19, it describes the treasures of the temple that were coveted by Babylonian conquerors, framing the destruction as a result of what was held too dear. This usage highlights how che.sheq can signify attachments that compete with proper reverence, serving as a warning against letting earthly objects become the focus of ultimate loyalty.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word che.sheq points to a deep, specific longing. It is not just a casual wish but something held dear or coveted. In the Old Testament, this term often marks moments where human affection intersects with divine purpose or judgment. When we look at Solomon’s building projects, for example, we see this desire driving significant historical events.
For your faith, this word invites reflection on what you hold most precious. It reminds us that our deepest desires reveal the true focus of our hearts. Whether it is a pursuit of wisdom or a longing for peace, che.sheq encourages us to examine whether our attachments align with God’s will. This awareness helps us guard against letting earthly treasures become idols that compete for our ultimate loyalty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] desire of3×
- desire/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חֵ֣שֶׁק3×
- חִשְׁקִ֔/י1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 9:1
When Solomon had finished the building of Yahweh’s house, the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do,
This verse highlights how Solomon's personal desires were fulfilled in the completion of God's house, linking human ambition with divine provision.
-
Isaiah 21:4
My heart flutters. Horror has frightened me. The twilight that I desired has been turned into trembling for me.
Here the word describes a twisted longing where expected hope turns into dread, showing how desire can be disrupted by fear.