Lexical Summary chacad: To be kind, to show mercy, to act with loyalty Original Word: חָסַד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance show self merciful, put to shame A primitive root; properly, perhaps to bow (the neck only (compare chanan) in courtesy to an equal), i.e. To be kind; also (by euphem. (compare barak), but rarely) to reprove -- shew self merciful, put to shame. see HEBREW chanan see HEBREW barak Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [חָסַד] verb 1. be good, kind (Late Hebrew חָסַד in derivatives חָסִיד pious; Aramaic חֲסַד be kind, mild (then beg), chiefly in derivatives חִסְדָּא etc.; compare perhaps Arabic  usually plural they assembled, followed by  they combined for him, and took pains to shew him courtesy Lane574c, also RSProph. iv. n. 9 (and Schu AE see in Thes); > Thes and others Find primary meaning in eager zeal or desire ("" קנא), whence develop kindness (as above), and envy, Arabic  ,  envy (verb & noun), Aramaic חֲסַד be put to shame,  , חַסֵּד reproach, revile, v, II.חסד) — only Hithpa`el Imperfect עִםחָֿסִיד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד thou shewest thyself kind 2 Samuel 22:26 = Psalm 18:26. — On Pi`el Proverbs 25:10 see II. חסד. II. [חָסַד] verb be reproached, ashamed (Aramaism, see RSProph. iv, n. 9; Aramaic חֲסַד be put to shame, Pi`el Imperfect מֶּןיְֿחַסֶּדְךָ Proverbs 25:10 lest he reproach thee, expose thee to shame. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Semantic Range חָסַד (ḥāsad) is the verbal counterpart to the well-known noun חֶסֶד (ḥésed, “steadfast love” or “lovingkindness”). As a verb it highlights the active display of covenant loyalty—either shown or withdrawn. The paucity of occurrences sharpens its focus: when ḥāsad appears, Scripture is accenting an intentional act that confirms or denies the bonds of covenant faithfulness. Occurrences in Scripture 1. 2 Samuel 22:26 The first two passages present a positive, reciprocal sense: the Lord mirrors faithful conduct. The third introduces a warning of public disgrace when such fidelity is violated. Divine Reciprocity in Covenant Relationship (2 Samuel 22:26; Psalm 18:25) “To the faithful You show Yourself faithful” (2 Samuel 22:26). David’s victory song—and its liturgical echo in Psalm 18—sets ḥāsad within a four-line pattern that reveals how the Lord responds to human character. The verb underscores that God’s faithfulness is not abstract; it is an enacted response. Those who live out covenant loyalty experience Yahweh’s corresponding loyalty. This reciprocal principle undergirds the theology of reward and retribution found throughout the Old Testament (compare Exodus 34:6–7; Deuteronomy 7:9). By using ḥāsad instead of the more common nouns, the text stresses God’s dynamic engagement. He “does” loyalty; He is not merely “full” of loyalty. The covenant is therefore relational and experiential, not merely legal. Violation and Public Shame (Proverbs 25:10) “Lest the one who hears you disgrace you, and your infamy never depart.” The proverb warns against betraying a confidence. Here ḥāsad takes a negative turn: the uncovering of another’s secret is an act of covenant breach that invites social humiliation. The shame expressed by the verb represents the antithesis of steadfast love; betrayal unravels the fabric of community that חֶסֶד is meant to weave. Thus ḥāsad can describe both the honoring and the dishonoring of covenant ties, depending on context. Historical and Theological Significance 1. Covenant Ethic: In the Ancient Near East political treaties promised reciprocal obligations. Scripture elevates that concept: loyalty is not merely political but moral and spiritual. Christological Trajectory The Gospel writers portray Jesus as the perfect embodiment of covenant loyalty (Luke 22:20; John 13:1). While ḥāsad itself is not used in the Greek New Testament, its substance appears in terms such as ἔλεος (mercy) and πίστις (faithfulness). In Jesus the reciprocal pattern of 2 Samuel 22:26 reaches its climax: He remains faithful even when His people prove faithless (2 Timothy 2:13), securing everlasting chesed for all who trust Him. Pastoral Application • Assurance: Believers who walk in integrity may rely on the Lord to act loyally toward them. Intertextual Connections • Psalm 103:17—links God’s steadfast love with those who “keep His covenant,” echoing the verb’s emphasis on active loyalty. Summary חָסַד depicts covenant loyalty in motion. Whether God rewarding faithfulness or society shaming betrayal, the verb reminds readers that steadfast love is never static; it is lived, witnessed, and reciprocated. The call to “do ḥāsad” remains integral to biblical faith and Christian ministry. Forms and Transliterations יְחַסֶּדְךָ֥ יחסדך תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד תתחסד tiṯ·ḥas·sāḏ titchasSad tiṯḥassāḏ yə·ḥas·seḏ·ḵā yechassedCha yəḥasseḏḵāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 22:26 HEB: עִם־ חָסִ֖יד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד עִם־ גִּבּ֥וֹר NAS: With the kind You show Yourself kind, With the blameless KJV: With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, [and] with the upright INT: With the kind show with man Psalm 18:25 Proverbs 25:10 3 Occurrences |
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, חַסֵּד reproach, revile; חִסּוּדָא, 
shame, reproach, often in ᵑ7 ᵐ5 for חֶרְמָּה); — only