חֵשֶׁק
𐤇𐤔𐤒
chêsheq
H2837 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An inclination or strong attraction toward something or someone; affectionate attachment, delight, or desire. The term often denotes a personal and deliberate favor, affection, or longing, especially one that prompts attentive concern and commitment, rather than mere fleeting interest or superficial enjoyment. In some contexts, it describes a deep-seated commitment or preference, not only a momentary pleasure.
Semantic Range
delight, desire, pleasure, affectionate attachment, chosen favor, longing, commitment
Root / Etymology
The noun חֵשֶׁק derives from the root חָשַׁק (ḥ-š-q), meaning 'to attach, become attached, desire, set one's affection on.' The root expresses the idea of fastening or binding to, figuratively extending to ardent desire or personal attachment. The noun itself reflects the result or state of such attachment, namely 'delight' or 'affectionate desire.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
חֵשֶׁק appears relatively infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its usages consistently suggest intentional and enduring attachment, rather than a passing wish. For example, it is used for Yahweh’s particular affection for the ancestors in Deuteronomy 7:7, expressing election based on affectionate preference rather than merit. In 1 Kings 9:1, the word describes action resulting from what Solomon 'desired' to do. The nuance of affectionate or chosen attachment distinguishes חֵשֶׁק from terms like תַּאֲוָה (tavah, craving, often with negative implication) or חֵפֶץ (ḥefetz, delight, desire, but sometimes more neutral or focused more on will or pleasure than on attachment). English translations often render חֵשֶׁק as 'delight,' 'desire,' or 'pleasure,' but these may obscure its aspect of chosen, steadfast attachment. Over time, post-biblical usage continues to emphasize strong, personal desire, sometimes with more romantic or aesthetic connotations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָשַׁק; delight; desire, pleasure.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חשק (ḥ-š-q) — attach, bind closely, desire, set affection upon
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2836 | חָשַׁק | he attached himself |
| H2838 | חָשֻׁק | and their binding-bands |
| H2839 | חִשֻּׁק | and their joining-rods |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2837-01 |
חֵ֣שֶׁק | chesheq | HNcmsc |
desire | binding attachment | 3 |
H2837-02 |
חִשְׁקִ֔/י | chisheqi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
I longed for | my affectionate attachment | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2837-01 |
1 Kings 9:1 | חֵ֣שֶׁק | chesheq | HNcmsc |
desire | binding attachment |
H2837-01 |
1 Kings 9:19 | חֵ֣שֶׁק | chesheq | HNcmsc |
desire | binding attachment |
H2837-02 |
Isaiah 21:4 | חִשְׁקִ֔/י | chisheqi | HNcmsc/Sp1cs |
I longed for | my affectionate attachment |
H2837-01 |
2 Chronicles 8:6 | חֵ֣שֶׁק | chesheq | HNcmsc |
desire | binding attachment |