The Missing Link
The Missing Link
Recently I’ve come a cross a Hebrew word that I believe is a missing link in not only our culture but also in the Church. The word is hesed. Simply put, it means loving-kindness, mercy, compassion, and steadfast love. However, it’s more than that. It’s a hard word to translate into English.
Since the invention of air conditioning, TV, private fences and the decline of the front porch, hesed has become a thing of the past. With the invention of social media, genuine human connection has declined even more. In the past, people would take evening walks or spend time sitting talking on their front porch. Others walking by would greet one another and even take the time to get into deep conversation. Today we hardly even know our neighbors’ names, much less who they are or what they think. Our nomadic lifestyles added to hesed’s decline — even within our families.
Let’s take a deeper look at this word. The Hebrew word "חסד" (pronounced "hes-ed" or "khes-ed") is rich with meaning and is often translated into English as "loving-kindness," "mercy," "compassion," or "steadfast love." However, no single English word fully captures the depth and breadth of its significance in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish tradition.
Hesed encompasses several key elements:
**Loyal Love:** Hesed is often associated with a deep, loyal love that goes beyond mere duty or obligation. It implies a strong commitment to the well-being of others, often rooted in covenantal relationships.
**Grace and Kindness:** Hesed includes acts of kindness and grace, particularly those that are given generously and without expectation of repayment. It is an expression of selfless love and compassion.
**Mercy and Forgiveness:** Hesed involves showing mercy and forgiveness, especially in situations where it may not be deserved. It reflects a willingness to overlook faults and extend grace.
**Faithfulness:** Hesed is marked by faithfulness and reliability. It is a steadfast, enduring love that remains constant even in difficult circumstances.
It’s used roughly 250 times in the Old Testament. Here’s a sample list from Logos Bible software:
1. Genesis 19:19
2. Genesis 39:21
3. Exodus 15:13
4. Exodus 34:6-7
5. Numbers 14:18-19
6. Deuteronomy 7:9
7. 2 Samuel 9:1
8. 2 Samuel 9:3
9. 1 Kings 3:6
10. 1 Kings 8:23
11. 2 Chronicles 1:8
12. 2 Chronicles 6:14
13. Nehemiah 1:5
14. Nehemiah 9:17
15. Psalm 5:7
16. Psalm 6:4
17. Psalm 23:6
18. Psalm 25:6-7
19. Psalm 25:10
20. Psalm 31:7
21. Psalm 33:5
22. Psalm 36:5
23. Psalm 57:3
24. Psalm 86:5
25. Psalm 100:5
26. Psalm 103:8
27. Psalm 136: (entire psalm)
28. Micah 6:8
29. Hosea 2:19
30. Jeremiah 31:3
The book of Ruth is filled with the concept of hesed. In Chapter 3, verse 10, Boaz commends Ruth for her hesed (loyalty) toward her mother-in-law, Naomi.
Even though the New Testament is written in Greek, all the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13 are attributes of hesed! We seriously need to learn more about this powerful word which seems to have been forgotten. In our world of do-it-by-yourself, family and friendship have lost there true meanings.
I believe hesed is also a covenant word, and without all of its attributes, we definitely can’t live a covenantal lifestyle. Daddy God, Jesus and Holy Spirit are covenant beings and made us to be likewise! We have so much to relearn. The cool thing is we have Their help to accomplish this mission.
Hesed is a Kingdom word.
Won’t you join me on this journey of restoring hesed in our church culture and in our world?
Be a Blessing,
Sir Gregory