Pastor Stephanie
The Hebrew word חֶסֶד , transliterated chesed or hesed (H2617), is a masculine noun pronounced like this kheh'•sed.
H2617
Original: חסד
Transliteration: chêsêd
Phonetic: kheh'-sed
Strong's Definition: From H2616; lovingkindness;
beauty:- favour, good deed, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity.
JEHOVAH CHESED - GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS
The first time hesed is used in the Old Testament is in Genesis 19:19 with the last occurrence being found in Zechariah 7:9.
Between these two passages hesed is used 248 times in 241 verses in the Hebrew concordance of the Authorized Version (AV).
Of these 248, over half (127) of the occurrences can be found in the book of Psalms.
The remaining occurrences are nearly evenly divided between the law, the historical books, and the seventeen prophetical books.
Fifty-six percent of the time hesed is translated with the English word “mercy” in the AV; and in the NASB, mercy is used for hesed fifty-nine percent of the time.
The words kindness, lovingkindness, and goodness account for the majority of the other instances.
Hesed (H2617) is used eleven times in the book of Genesis beginning with God’s saving of Lot’s life.
This is the first use of the hesed in Genesis.
Based on Abraham’s intercession for as few as ten righteous residents of Sodom, God sent two angels to rescue the righteous in the city (Gen 19) before He destroyed it (along with Gomorrah) for its wickedness (Gen 18:20).
Evidently, Lot and his family did not take the need to evacuate very seriously because the angels had to urge Lot and his wife to get up and get out of the city before they were “swept away in the punishment of the city.
But he [Lot] lingered.
So the men seized him by the hand [because] the Lord [was] being merciful to him” (Gen 19:15-17).
Then Lot said, “Behold your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me GREAT KINDNESS [HESED] in SAVING MY LIFE” (Gen 19:19).
GENESIS 19:19 KJV
Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy MERCY, which thou hast shewed unto me in SAVING MY LIFE ; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
So when Lot so sensed that his LIFE was AT STAKE and he could have died but he instead was rescued, he concluded he had RECEIVED “GREAT HESED.”
In the book of Genesis, hesed nearly always relates to saving or losing one’s life.
In Genesis 20:13, Sarah was asked to lie to potentially save Abraham’s life.
In Genesis 21:23, Abimelech and Phicol, fearing for their lives, ask Abraham to return the hesed he previously received.
We need God's chesed.
Jacob fearing for his life asks for hesed.
GENESIS 32:9-12 EASY
Then Jacob prayed, ‘God of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac, Lord, you said to me, “Go back to your country and to your relatives.
I will do good things for you there.”
You have always loved me.
You have continued to be Kind (Mercy) (HESED) to me.
I DO NOT DESERVE THIS.
GENESIS 32:9-12 EASY
When I crossed the Jordan River to go to Haran, I only had my stick.
BUT NOW I can make two big groups of people and animals.
GENESIS 32:9-12 EASY
I pray that you will save me from the power of my brother Esau.
I am afraid that he will come and attack me.
He may also attack my family.
But YOU HAVE SAID, “I will give you many good things.
I will GIVE you so many descendants that nobody will be able to count them.
They will be as many as the pieces of sand on the shore of the sea.” ’
Joseph wanted hesed to be delivered from prison where he probably thought he would die.
GENESIS 40:14 EASY
But when these good things happen to you, remember to be KIND (CHESED) to me.
Tell Pharaoh about me so that I will get out of this PRISON.
Finally, Israel asks Joseph, “If he has found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly [hesed] and truly with me.
GENESIS 47:28-29 EASY
Jacob lived in Egypt for 17 years.
His whole life was 147 years.
GENESIS 47:28-29 EASY
The time came for him to die.
So he called his son Joseph to come to him.
Jacob said to him, ‘If you agree, make a serious promise to me.
Put your hand between my legs to show that I can trust you. Promise that you will be KIND to me and that you will do as I ask.
When I die, do not bury me here in Egypt.
From the eleven uses of hesed and most especially Jacob’s plea for hesed, one can gain a better understanding of what this word is all about.
Jacob asks for a promise with a hand under his thigh.
This is COVENANT LANGUAGE.
Joseph is pledging to fulfill this request for hesed.
Kindness, goodness, favor, and loving kindness covenant is based on covenant; within a covenant.
Has the meaning of covenant inside.
Kindness, goodness, favor, and loving kindness is extended to us because of covenant.
Jacob is a descendant of Abraham.
His father received a promise for land, and Jacob knew Egypt was not that land.
Jacob desired to be buried in the land where his people would dwell eternally according to the word of the Lord (Gen 12).
Joseph is to ensure that no matter what, his father is not to be buried with the heathen of Egypt.
Jacob asks Joseph to “‘Swear to me’; and he swore to him” (Gen 47:31).
GENESIS 47:30-31 EASY
Carry my body out of Egypt.
Bury me in the grave of my ancestors.’
Joseph said, ‘I will do as you say.’
Jacob said, ‘Promise me that you will do this.’
Then Joseph made a promise to him.
After that, Jacob rested on his bed and he thanked God.
GENESIS 47:31 KJV
And he said, SWEAR unto me. And he SWARE unto him.
And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.
H7650
SWEAR שׁבע shâba‛
Strong's Definition:
to be complete, to seven oneself,
that is, SWEAR (as if by repeating a declaration seven times):- adjure, charge (by an oath, with an oath), feed to the FULL,
take an OATH.
Although Jacob died in Egypt, he did not remain in Egypt because Joseph SWORE to his father that he would show him kindness (hesed).
Hesed is not kindness like a person waiting in a long line lets someone with one item go in front of them.
Hesed is much deeper than that.
Exodus 34:6-7 (and Num 14:18-19) is a powerful quotation of YAHWEH’S description of HIMSELF which uses hesed twice.
EXODUS 34:6-7 NKJV
And THE LORD passed before him and proclaimed,
“THE LORD, the LORD GOD,
[YAHWEH, YAHWEH]
Merciful (Rachum - Compassionate, Love ) and
Gracious (Channûn ) - longsuffering, (Ârêk - patient, slow to anger)
and Abounding in GOODNESS ( CHESED)
and Truth (Emeth - firmness, faithfulness)
keeping MERCY (CHESED) for thousands, -
FORGIVING iniquity and transgression and sin.. ”
No one can have the love described in 1 Corinthians 13.
Hesed in this passage is translated “goodness” in the KJV, NKJV; “faithful love” in the HCSB; “love” in the NIV and “lovingkindness” in the NASB.
Hesed is another word that describes the amazing, enduring love Yahweh has for His people in spite of their rebellion and sin.
Hesed does not compromise his integrity or justice; he still punishes sin.
However, he is compelled to show mercy, delay punishment, and forgive iniquity, transgression, and sin.
Hesed is one of the words that describes what makes Yahweh worthy of worship.
He is not like any other God; he is a COVENANT-KEEPING GOD and shows STEADFAST LOVE [hesed] to HIS SERVANTS.
2 CHRONICLES 6:14 KJV
And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest MERCY (chesed) unto thy SERVANTS, that WALK BEFORE THEE with ALL their HEARTS:
There are forty-two specific references to “hesed ENDURING FOREVER ” beginning in-
1 CHRONICLES 16:34 KJV
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his MERCY (CHESED) ENDURETH FOR EVER .
and culminating in -
JEREMIAH 33:11 KJV
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say,
Praise the LORD of hosts:
for the LORD is good;
for HIS MERCY (CHESED) ENDURETH for EVER:..
In Psalm 136, the central message of the entire psalm is the truth that God’s mercy, lovingkindness, or steadfast love (CHESED) ENDURES FOREVER.
CHESED is mentioned in EVERY ONE of the TWENTY-SIX verses in Psalm 136.
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of Lords!
For His mercy endures forever:
To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever—
The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.
To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever;
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
For His mercy endures forever;
And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever;
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever—
Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever;
And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever—
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
And gave their land as a heritage,
For His mercy endures forever;
A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.
Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever;
PSALM 136:1-26 NKJV
And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever;
Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever.
GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER -
because GOD’S COVENANT RELATIONSHIP with HIS PEOPLE ENDURES FOREVER.
Hesed is often associated in the COVENANT GOD MADE with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob because THAT COVENANT is WITHOUT END and
HESED is a “LOVINGKINDNESS” that ENDURES FOREVER.
Finally, the prophet emphasizes that hesed belongs to Yahweh in Isaiah 63:7.
ISAIAH 63:7 KJV
I WILL MENTION -
THE LOVINGKINDNESS ( CHESED) OF THE LORD,
and the PRAISES of the LORD, according to ALL that the LORD HATH BESTOWED ON US,
and the GREAT GOODNESS toward the house of Israel,
which HE hath bestowed on them according to his MERCIES, and according to the multitude of HIS LOVING KINDNESSES (CHESED).
Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations 3:22, helps the reader truly understand how significant it is for God to possess this “steadfast love” or as the KJV translates it “mercies.”
LAMENTATIONS 3:22 KJV
It is of the LORD'S MERCIES (CHESED) that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
He indicates that THE ONLY REASON Israel is not consumed, or that THE ONLY REASON Israel is still alive, is because of the LORD’S HESED toward HIS COVENANT PEOPLE.
Perhaps STEADFAST LOVINGKINDNESS best describes the meaning of hesed in the majority of instances where it is found.
If you picture hesed as a recipe, it would have three ingredients.
It describes God.
1. ACTIVE LOVE -
God's lovingkindness –
God's faithful love in action.
Because God has hesed, He acts for the good of His people.
2. STEADFAST LOYALTY or FAITHFULNESS.
Hesed is the devoted faithful love promised WITHIN A COVENANT.
God has hesed because He can be counted on to be steadfast and faithful in acting for the good of His people.
He will do what He has promised to do.
We can count on it.
He is loyal, steadfast and faithful to His covenant with His people.
We are now under the new covenant which was made with Jesus for our benefit.
3. MERCY -
The third ingredient is mercy.
- compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
The word “mercy” derives from the medieval Latin merced or merces, which means "price paid." It has the connotation of forgiveness, benevolence and kindness.
COVENANT
HESED has to have these three flavors: active love, steadfast love and merciful love.
Usually this word describes God’s steadfast, faithful, merciful compassionate acts of love, especially in FULFILLMENT of HIS COVENANT PROMISES, as opposed to a general love for all humanity.
Ralph Davis writes:
“HESED is the devoted love promised within a covenant;
HESED is love that is WILLING to COMMIT itself TO ANOTHER by making its promise a matter of SOLEMN RECORD.
CHESED חסד
CHET
SAMECH (also spelled Samekh) is the fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Numerical value: 60
Meaning: 1. Support 2. medicine
His chesed protect us and support us.
DALET is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Numerical value: 4
Meaning: 1. Poor 2. door 3. lift up
ZECHARIAH 7:9 NKJV
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show MERCY and COMPASSION EVERYONE to his brother.
EPHESIANS 4:31-32 EASY
Do not be jealous of other people.
Do not become angry or shout at them.
Do not quarrel with other people or insult them.
Do not do anything or say anything that will hurt other people.
Instead, help one another and be kind to each other.
Forgive one another.
Remember that God has forgiven you because of what Christ has done.
EPHESIANS 4:32 KJV
And be ye KIND one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
G5543 kind
χρηστός chrēstos
- of people, kind, benevolent
mild, pleasant (as opp. to harsh, hard sharp, bitter)
- From G5530; employed, that is, useful (in manner or morals):- better, easy, goodness, gracious, kind.
G5530
χράομαι chraomai
Thayer Definition:
to receive a loan
borrow
to take for one's use, to use
from G5495, to handle
Strong's Definition:, to handle; to furnish what is needed;
(give an oracle, "graze" [touch slightly], light upon, etc.),
that is, to employ or to act towards one in a given manner:- entreat, use.
idea of hollowness for grasping)
the hand [power]; especially [by Hebraism] a means or instrument: - hand.
THE LORD'S CHESED LOVINGKINDNESS יהוה חסד
SURROUNDS US FOREVER!
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