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חֶמֶד

𐤇𐤌𐤃

chemed

H2531 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חמד to desire, to covet, to take pleasure in

Definition

A desirable object or thing; that which is precious, coveted, or considered a delight. Refers to objects or possessions that are esteemed as highly attractive or valuable, and which evoke strong desire or longing. In some contexts, the term can also refer to the quality of being desirable or something that brings delight, but the main reference is to the object or substance that is desired.

Semantic Range

desirable object, precious thing, treasure, delight, pleasant thing, something coveted or esteemed, object worth longing for

Root / Etymology

Root: חמד (chemed). Derived from the root חמד, which means 'to desire, to covet, to take pleasure in.' חֶמֶד is a noun formation typically designating an abstract or concrete object of desire, i.e., something that excites desire or is held as precious.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֶמֶד appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Isaiah 32:12 and Hosea 2:15, describing land or objects that are intensely valued or cherished. The term generally carries a positive sense (that which is precious or delightful); however, its use can sometimes imply illicit or excessive desire depending on context, especially given the root's broader associations with coveting or longing. Unlike closely related terms like מַחְמָד (maḥmad, 'that which is desirable/precious'), חֶמֶד focuses specifically on the object of desire rather than the abstract idea or quality. English translations often render it as 'pleasant field,' 'precious thing,' or 'delight,' but these may not fully express its range as both a positive and sometimes problematic object of desire. The word is tied to the Israelite understanding of value and longing during both monarchic and prophetic periods, but never takes on the connotations of later English terms such as 'Jewish delight' or similar anachronisms.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָמַד; delight; desirable, pleasant.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חמד (ḥ-m-d) — to desire, to covet, to take pleasure in

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2530 חָמַד his desired one
H2532 חֶמְדָּה desirable things
H2533 חֶמְדָּן Desirable one
H4261 מַחְמָד desired treasures of
H4262 מַחְמֻד her desired things

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2531-01 חֶ֖מֶד chemed HNcmsa desirable precious thing 6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2531-01 Isaiah 27:2 חֶ֖מֶד chemed HNcmsa desirable precious thing
H2531-01 Isaiah 32:12 חֶ֕מֶד chemed HNcmsa pleasant precious thing
H2531-01 Ezekiel 23:6 חֶ֖מֶד chemed HNcmsa desirable precious thing
H2531-01 Ezekiel 23:12 חֶ֖מֶד chemed HNcmsa desirable precious thing
H2531-01 Ezekiel 23:23 חֶ֜מֶד chemed HNcmsa desirable precious thing
H2531-01 Amos 5:11 חֶ֣מֶד chemed HNcmsa pleasant precious thing
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