from בֵּן and חֵסֵד; son of kindness; Ben-Chesed, an Israelite; the son of Hesed.
Transliteration:Ben-Cheçed
Pronunciation:ben-kheh'-sed
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma בֶּן־חֶסֶד (Ben-Cheçed, `{{H1136}}`) is a compound proper noun derived from two distinct Hebrew words: בֵּן (ben, `{{H1121}}`), meaning "son of" or "child of," and חֶסֶד (chesed, `{{H2617}}`), a rich theological term often translated as "kindness," "mercy," "loyal love," or "steadfast love." Therefore, the literal meaning of Ben-Cheçed is "son of kindness" or "son of loyal love." As a proper name, it identifies a specific individual, but the etymology suggests a characteristic or a relationship to the profound concept of *chesed*. The name itself carries a semantic weight, potentially reflecting the character of the individual, the circumstances of their birth, or an aspiration for their life.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Ben-Cheçed (`{{H1136}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[1 Kings 4:10]]. This verse is part of a detailed administrative list outlining King Solomon's twelve district governors, each responsible for providing provisions for the king and his household for one month of the year. Ben-Cheçed is identified as the governor over Arubboth, Socoh, and all the land of Hepher.
The context is purely administrative, placing Ben-Cheçed within the hierarchy of Solomon's highly organized kingdom. His inclusion in this list indicates a position of significant trust and authority. While the text provides no further details about his character or actions, the meaning of his name, "son of loyal love," might subtly suggest a quality that made him suitable for such an important role. It is plausible that Solomon, known for his wisdom, would appoint administrators who embodied such virtues as loyalty and kindness, essential for effective and just governance. Alternatively, the name could simply reflect a family lineage or a pious hope of his parents, independent of his personal character as depicted in the narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
The components of Ben-Cheçed (`{{H1136}}`) are deeply significant in the biblical lexicon:
* **בֵּן (ben, `{{H1121}}`):** This ubiquitous Hebrew noun for "son" or "child" is fundamental to understanding lineage, identity, and relationships in ancient Israel. It can denote physical descent, but also membership in a group (e.g., "sons of God," "sons of the prophets") or a characteristic (e.g., "son of valor" for a brave person). In proper names, "Ben-" often signifies a patronymic or a defining characteristic.
* **חֶסֶד (chesed, `{{H2617}}`):** This is one of the most crucial theological terms in the Old Testament, denoting a steadfast, loyal, and covenantal love, often translated as "mercy," "kindness," or "lovingkindness." It describes God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, and also the expected loyalty and kindness among humans. It is frequently paired with אֱמֶת (emet, `{{H571}}`), "truth" or "faithfulness," emphasizing its reliability and integrity.
* **Other "Ben-" names:** The list of Solomon's governors in 1 Kings 4 includes several other "Ben-" names, such as Ben-Hur (`{{H1123}}`), Ben-Dekar (`{{H1124}}`), Ben-Abinadab (`{{H1125}}`), and Ben-Geber (`{{H1126}}`). This naming convention was common, often indicating a father's name or a significant attribute.
### Theological Significance
While Ben-Cheçed (`{{H1136}}`) is a minor figure in the biblical narrative, his name resonates with profound theological significance due to the presence of *chesed* (`{{H2617}}`). The concept of *chesed* is central to understanding God's character and His relationship with humanity, particularly Israel. It describes God's unfailing commitment, His compassionate mercy, and His loyal love that endures through generations.
The name "Son of Chesed" could carry several layers of theological meaning:
1. **Embodiment of Virtue:** It might suggest that Ben-Cheçed was a man who embodied the virtues of kindness, loyalty, and steadfastness in his administrative duties, reflecting the very *chesed* of God in human action. This would align with the ideal of righteous governance under a wise king like Solomon.
2. **Recipient of Divine Grace:** Alternatively, "Son of Chesed" could signify that Ben-Cheçed was a recipient of God's *chesed*, a person blessed by divine favor and loyal love. His position of authority could be seen as a manifestation of God's kindness towards him.
3. **Aspiration and Testimony:** The name could also be an aspiration from his parents for him to live a life characterized by *chesed*, or a testimony to God's *chesed* experienced by the family.
In the broader context of the Solomonic kingdom, the presence of a governor named "Son of Loyal Love" subtly reinforces the idea that even in the practicalities of governance and administration, the divine attribute of *chesed* was ideally to be reflected. It underscores that God's character is not confined to the temple or ritual but should permeate all aspects of life, including leadership and public service.
### Summary
Ben-Cheçed (`{{H1136}}`) is a proper name meaning "son of kindness" or "son of loyal love," derived from the Hebrew words for "son" (`{{H1121}}`) and "loyal love" (`{{H2617}}`). He is mentioned only once in the Bible, in [[1 Kings 4:10]], where he is listed as one of King Solomon's twelve district governors, responsible for a specific region. Although a historically minor figure, his name carries significant theological weight due to its connection to *chesed*, a foundational concept in biblical theology describing God's steadfast, covenantal love and mercy. The name may suggest that Ben-Cheçed either embodied these virtues in his administrative role, was a recipient of divine favor, or that his name served as a testimony to the importance of *chesed* within the kingdom. It serves as a subtle linguistic reminder that even in the mundane details of administration, the divine character of loyal love was to be present and acknowledged.
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