Lexical Summary chashaq: To love, to be attached to, to delight in, to cling Original Word: חָשַׁק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance have a delight, have a desire, fillet, long, set in love A primitive root; to cling, i.e. Join, (figuratively) to love, delight in; elliptically (or by interchangeable for chasak) to deliver -- have a delight, (have a) desire, fillet, long, set (in) love. see HEBREW chasak Brown-Driver-Briggs I. חָשַׁק verb be attached to, love (Late Hebrew press together, desire (rare); Aramaic חֲשַׁק bind, saddle (an ass)) — Qal Perfect ׳ח Deuteronomy 7:7 4t.; חָֽשְׁקָה Genesis 34:8; חָשַׁקְתָּ Isaiah 38:17 (but see below); וְחָֽשַׁקְתָּ֫ Deuteronomy 21:11; — be attached to, only figurative = love, a woman followed by בְּ Genesis 34:8 (P) Deuteronomy 21:11; elsewhere of ׳יs; love for Israel Deuteronomy 7:7; Deuteronomy 10:15, and of love to ׳י Psalm 91:14; followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb+ לְ and infinitive ׳כלחֵֿשֶׁק שְׁלֹמה אשׁר ח לִבְנוֺת 1 Kings 9:19 2Chronicles 8:6; חָשַׁקְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשַּׁחַת Isaiah 38:17 literally thou hast loved my soul out of the pit, i.e. lovingly delivered it; but read חָשַׂכְתָּ thou hast held back, kept, from ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Lo Ew Che Di, or חֲשׂךְ hold back (Imperative), so Du. II. [חשׁק] verb denominative only Pi`el furnish with fillets or rings, and Pu`al passive; Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular חִשַּׁק Exodus 38:28 (P), subject Bezaleel. Pu`al Participle מְחֻשָּׁקִים כֶּסֶף Exodus 27:17; Exodus 38:17 finished with silver fillets, in agreement with הָעַמּוּדִים (both P). Topical Lexicon Overview חָשַׁק portrays a powerful bond of attachment, whether emotional, covenantal, or aesthetic. Scripture consistently presents the verb as a movement of the heart that binds one to another person, to a chosen object, or—most profoundly—to the LORD Himself. Its occurrences sketch a panorama of human affection, divine election, and even artistic craftsmanship, each instance illustrating that true “delight” or “desire” culminates in purposeful commitment. Human Affection and Desire • Genesis 34:8 records Shechem’s plea to Jacob, “My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter,” a passionate attachment that drove the entire narrative of Dinah’s violation and the ensuing conflict. In both passages חָשַׁק highlights the intensity of human longing, yet Scripture surrounds that longing with moral boundaries, reminding readers that affection must serve holiness rather than self-indulgence. Divine Attachment and Electing Love • Deuteronomy 7:7 clarifies Israel’s election: “The LORD did not set His affection on you or choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.” In these texts חָשַׁק reveals the gracious initiative of God. Israel’s security rests not in her merit but in Yahweh’s sovereign delight. The verb also describes the believer’s corresponding attachment to God, a reciprocal love rewarded with protection and salvation (Psalm 91:14). Together they depict covenant as mutual yet asymmetrical—originating in God’s free choice and answered by human trust. Artistic and Architectural Delight • Exodus 27:17 and 38:17, 28 employ חָשַׁק for the ornamental hooks and decorative bands of the tabernacle courtyard. The craftsmanship was not merely functional; it expressed the LORD’s aesthetic “desire” for beauty in worship. These occurrences link human creativity to divine pleasure. Properly directed, artistic aspiration becomes ministry—adorning God’s dwelling and advancing His kingdom’s administration. Redemptive Thread and Ministry Significance 1. Covenant Security: Believers rest in a God who binds Himself to them with unshakeable affection. Assurance flows not from personal strength but from the LORD’s steadfast delight (Deuteronomy 7:7; Isaiah 38:17). Pastoral Application • Teach election as the fruit of divine affection, engendering humility rather than presumption. Summary חָשַׁק unites the themes of love, choice, and delight across Scripture. Whether describing a young man’s longing, the LORD’s electing grace, or the craftsman’s care for sanctuary ornamentation, the term reminds God’s people that true attachment always pulls them closer to His heart and purposes. Forms and Transliterations וְחִשַּׁ֥ק וְחָשַׁקְתָּ֣ וחשק וחשקת חָ֭שַׁק חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה חָשַׁ֤קְתָּ חָשַׁ֥ק חָשַׁ֧ק חָשַׁק֙ חשק חשקה חשקת מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים מחשקים chaShak chaShakta chasheKah ḥā·šaq ḥā·šaq·tā ḥā·šə·qāh ḥāšaq ḥāšaqtā ḥāšəqāh mə·ḥuš·šā·qîm mechushshaKim məḥuššāqîm vechashakTa vechishShak wə·ḥā·šaq·tā wə·ḥiš·šaq wəḥāšaqtā wəḥiššaqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 34:8 HEB: שְׁכֶ֣ם בְּנִ֗י חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה נַפְשׁוֹ֙ בְּבִתְּכֶ֔ם NAS: Shechem longs for your daughter; KJV: Shechem longeth for your daughter: INT: Shechem of my son longs the soul your daughter Exodus 27:17 Exodus 38:17 Exodus 38:28 Deuteronomy 7:7 Deuteronomy 10:15 Deuteronomy 21:11 1 Kings 9:19 2 Chronicles 8:6 Psalm 91:14 Isaiah 38:17 11 Occurrences |
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