hesed

Etymology

A native Hebrew noun from the root ח־ס־ד (ḥ-s-d). Further etymology outside Hebrew is not certain. It should not be confused with Arabic ḥasada (“to envy”), a false friend with a darker meaning, nor reduced to English “mercy” on the basis of later translation habits.

A rare Hebrew homonym ḥesed meaning “shame, disgrace” (as in Leviticus 20:17) exists. Whether it is the same word in a different light or a separate root is debated. It is a reminder not to sentimentalize the consonants.

Historical use

Ḥesed is enacted loyalty inside a relationship. Nelson Glueck argued that it is essentially covenantal: the conduct owed within a bond. Later scholars (Sakenfeld, Clark, and others) have loosened that: ḥesed is freely given as well as owed, and it can surprise a covenant as well as fulfill one. What it is not: a mood of general niceness.

In Ruth, ḥesed is what Naomi asks the Lord to show her daughters-in-law, what Boaz recognizes in Ruth, and what Ruth herself performs by not abandoning an old woman. The book is one of the Hebrew Bible’s most careful studies of a word.

In the Psalms, ḥesed is YHWH’s lasting kindness, “for his ḥesed endures forever.” Hosea 6:6 prefers ḥesed to sacrifice. English “lovingkindness” (Coverdale) and “steadfast love” (many modern versions) are attempts to keep the loyalty in the love. “Mercy” alone is a loss.

Semantic range

• Loyalty-love: kindness that keeps faith with a relationship.
• Covenant faithfulness, human and divine.
• An action, often pluralized, ḥesed is done, not only felt.
• Rarely, in another use of the consonants: shame.

Semantic change

Through the Septuagint’s ἔλεος (“mercy”) and the Vulgate’s misericordia, ḥesed entered Christian language as mercy, pity, charity. Those are real aspects of some contexts and a mistranslation of others. A loyalty that can be demanded of partners is not the same as a sovereign’s pardon.