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חֲשַׁח

𐤇𐤔𐤇

chăshach

H2818 verb

SILEX Entry

Root חשׁח to need, to require, to lack, to be necessary

Definition

To need, require, or have necessity for something; expressing a state of lack or requirement. In context, often refers to being in need of a thing, sometimes with the sense of careful attention or concern for what is needed. The semantic range encompasses both existential need ('to lack, to require') and, in some cases, the idea of carefulness or attentiveness to necessity.

Semantic Range

to need, to require, to be necessary, to have need (of), to be in want (of), to be careful (with respect to necessity)

Root / Etymology

Root: חשׁח. The etymology is uncertain; it is an Aramaic verb and is not directly attested in Biblical Hebrew. It is closely related in sense to the Hebrew root חושׁ ('to hurry, be eager, act promptly'), but chăshach carries the sense of need rather than haste. Some scholars propose that it is a loan or cognate from related Semitic languages. It is used only in Aramaic passages of the Hebrew Bible.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חֲשַׁח occurs only in the Aramaic section of the Hebrew Bible (notably in the book of Daniel) and is not attested in Biblical Hebrew. The word expresses an existential or practical need, in contrast with some Hebrew verbs for lack or want such as חָסֵר (ḥāsēr, 'to lack' in Hebrew), which is broader in its usage. Standard English translations often render it as 'to need,' 'require,' or 'be careful concerning,' but the nuance of eagerness or attentiveness (present in related Hebrew roots) is less prominent in Aramaic usage. In post-biblical Aramaic (Jewish Babylonian Aramaic, Targums), forms of this verb continue to denote 'need' or 'requirement.' Its usage is limited and context-dependent, primarily referring to pragmatic necessity rather than emotional or existential longing. The word was not used in Hebrew of the patriarchal, monarchic, or exilic periods, but appears in Aramaic imperial and later post-exilic contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) a collateral root to one corresponding to חוּשׁ in the sense of readiness; to be necessary (from the idea of convenience) or (transitively) to need; careful, have need of.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חשׁח (ch-š-ḥ) — to need, to require, to lack, to be necessary

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2818-01 חַשְׁחָ֡ן chashechan ANcfpa young-bulls necessities 1
H2818-02 חַשְׁחִ֨ין chashechin AVqrmpa we-need needing ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2818-02 Daniel 3:16 חַשְׁחִ֨ין chashechin AVqrmpa we-need needing ones
H2818-01 Ezra 6:9 חַשְׁחָ֡ן chashechan ANcfpa young-bulls necessities
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