What is the meaning of the Hebrew word hesed?

Answer  
  

Many biblical words such as *mercy*, *compassion*, *love*, *grace*, and *faithfulness* relate to the Hebrew word *hesed* (חֶסֶד), but none of these completely summarize the concept. *Hesed* is not merely an emotion or feeling but involves action on behalf of someone who is in need. *Hesed* describes a sense of love and loyalty that inspires merciful and compassionate behavior toward another person.  
  

*Hesed*, found some 250 times in the Old Testament, expresses an essential part of God’s character. When God appeared to Moses to give the Law a second time, He described Himself as “abounding in” or “filled with” *hesed*, which is translated “love and faithfulness,” “unfailing love,” “faithful love,” “steadfast love,” and “loyal love,” depending on the Bible version (Exodus 34:6–7\). The core idea of this term communicates loyalty or faithfulness within a relationship. Thus, *hesed* is closely related to God’s covenant with His people, Israel. As it relates to the concept of love, *hesed* expresses God’s faithfulness to His people.  
  

In Exodus 20:6, God says that He lavishes His *hesed* “for a thousand generations” on those who love Him and obey His commands. This trustworthy, ever\-enduring, loyal aspect of God’s covenantal love resonates throughout the Old Testament (Nehemiah 1:5; Daniel 9:4; Jeremiah 32:18\)  
  

In the Bible, *hesed* often describes the mercy and compassion of God. When Moses interceded for the people, he appealed to God’s *hesed*: “‘The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love \[*hesed*], forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. . . . In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love \[*hesed*], please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt” (Numbers 14:18–19, NLT).  
  

While God’s faithful love \[*hesed*] is eternal and limitless, humans, too, can express *hesed* to one another. As in the case of [Jonathan and David](David-and-Jonathan.html) (1 Samuel 18:3; 20:8; 2 Samuel 9:1, 3, 7\), *hesed* motivates one person, the superior or more powerful party, to supply a critical need to the lesser or weaker person. Acts of *hesed* are always performed freely, under no obligation or fear of reprisal. The inspiration behind *hesed* is born of the relationship between the two parties. [Boaz](Ruth-and-Boaz.html) describes Ruth’s kindness toward him and Naomi as *hesed* (Ruth 3:10\).  
  

God’s covenant relationship with His people results in His loyal love and faithfulness \[*hesed*], even when His people are unfaithful to Him. Always at the heart of *hesed* lies God’s generous sense of compassion, grace, and mercy.  
  

*Hesed* surpasses ordinary kindness and friendship. It is the inclination of the heart to show “amazing grace” to the one who is loved. *Hesed* runs deeper than social expectations, responsibilities, fluctuating emotions, or what is deserved or earned by the recipient. *Hesed* finds its home in committed, familial love, and it comes to life in actions.  
  

The message of the gospel—God’s act of forgiveness and [salvation in Jesus](questions_salvation.html)—is rooted in *hesed*. *Hesed* describes the disposition of God’s heart not only toward His people but to all humanity. The love of God extends far beyond duty or expectation. His forgiveness of sin fulfills a need that is basic to all other needs in the relationship between human beings and God—the restoration and continuation of fellowship with God in Jesus Christ. God’s *hesed* manifested in forgiveness makes a relationship with Him possible. That forgiveness comes to us freely as a gift from God based on the sacrificial act of Christ.  
  

