a primitive root; to rejoice; make glad, be joined, rejoice.
Transliteration:châdâh
Pronunciation:khaw-daw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma חָדָה (châdâh, `{{H2302}}`) is a primitive root primarily conveying the sense of "to rejoice" or "to be glad." Its semantic range focuses on an internal state of joy or an outward expression of gladness. While the base definition provided by Strong's also includes "be joined," a careful examination of the actual biblical occurrences of חָדָה (`{{H2302}}`) in its various conjugations reveals that its consistent meaning is related to joy and gladness. The "be joined" aspect is either a distinct homonymic root or a highly specialized and rare usage not clearly attested in the instances where חָדָה means "to rejoice." Therefore, this study will focus on חָדָה as a verb of rejoicing and making glad, which is its dominant and clear usage in the Hebrew Bible.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
חָדָה (`{{H2302}}`) is a relatively rare verb in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only four distinct passages. Its limited occurrences nonetheless provide significant insight into its usage:
* **[[Exodus 18:9]]**: "And Jethro *rejoiced* for all the goodness which the LORD had done for Israel, in that He had delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians." Here, Jethro's joy is a direct, emotional response to Yahweh's powerful acts of salvation and goodness on behalf of His people. It signifies a sympathetic gladness at divine intervention.
* **[[Nehemiah 12:43]]**: "And on that day they offered great sacrifices and *rejoiced*, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar." This verse describes the collective, exuberant joy of the community during the dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. The verb חָדָה appears in parallel with שָׂמַח (`{{H8055}}`, "to be glad, rejoice"), emphasizing the depth and communal nature of their gladness, which is explicitly attributed to God's doing.
* **[[Job 3:6]]**: "As for that night, let darkness seize it; let it not *rejoice* among the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months." In this lament, Job curses the night of his birth, wishing for it to be devoid of any joy or recognition. The use of חָדָה in a negative construction highlights the absence of gladness as a profound state of sorrow and despair.
* **[[Psalm 21:6]]** (MT 21:7): "For You make him most blessed forever; You make him *glad* with joy in Your presence." In this psalm of thanksgiving for the king, חָדָה appears in the Hiphil stem (causative), meaning "to make glad." It underscores God as the ultimate source of joy and blessing, bestowing gladness upon the king through His very presence.
These occurrences show חָדָה to be a verb describing an internal state of gladness, often in response to God's actions, or in the Hiphil, describing God as the one who bestows this gladness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of joy and gladness is rich in the Hebrew Bible, expressed through a variety of terms that often appear in parallel or complementary roles to חָדָה (`{{H2302}}`).
* שָׂמַח (sâmach, `{{H8055}}`): This is the most common Hebrew verb for "to rejoice" or "to be glad." As seen in [[Nehemiah 12:43]], חָדָה and שָׂמַח can be used interchangeably or in tandem to describe intense joy.
* גִּיל (gîl, `{{H1523}}`): Often translated as "to rejoice," "to exult," or "to shout for joy," גִּיל frequently conveys a more outwardly expressive and exuberant form of joy.
* רָנַן (rânan, `{{H7442}}`): "To shout for joy," "to sing joyfully," or "to utter a ringing cry." This verb emphasizes the vocal and celebratory aspect of joy.
* שׂוּשׂ (sûs, `{{H7797}}`): Another verb meaning "to rejoice" or "to be glad," often appearing in contexts of exultation and delight.
* שִׂמְחָה (simchah, `{{H8057}}`) and מָשׂוֹשׂ (mâsôs, `{{H4885}}`): These are common nouns for "joy" or "gladness," representing the state or experience of rejoicing.
The rarity of חָדָה (`{{H2302}}`) might suggest a nuanced or specific kind of joy, perhaps a deep, appreciative gladness, distinct from more boisterous expressions. Its contexts consistently link it to divine action and communal or personal well-being.
### Theological Significance
Despite its limited occurrences, חָדָה (`{{H2302}}`) contributes significantly to the biblical theology of joy.
1. **Joy as a Response to Divine Goodness**: The instances in [[Exodus 18:9]] and [[Nehemiah 12:43]] clearly demonstrate that human joy, expressed by חָדָה, is an appropriate and expected response to God's saving acts and His abundant goodness. It is not a shallow emotion but a profound acknowledgment of divine favor and faithfulness.
2. **Joy as a Divine Gift**: [[Psalm 21:6]] highlights that joy is ultimately a gift from God. He is the one who "makes glad" (Hiphil of חָדָה). This underscores the theological truth that true and lasting joy flows from God's presence and His blessing, rather than being solely dependent on human effort or circumstances.
3. **The Absence of Joy in Lament**: The use of חָדָה in [[Job 3:6]] to express the *absence* of joy in a cursed day reveals the depth of despair. It implies that joy is a fundamental aspect of flourishing and blessing, and its removal signifies a state of profound sorrow and desolation.
4. **Communal and Individual Gladness**: חָדָה appears in contexts of both individual joy (Jethro, the king in Psalm 21) and communal celebration (Nehemiah 12). This indicates that joy, as understood by this word, can be a personal experience of God's favor or a shared, corporate expression of gratitude and worship.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb חָדָה (châdâh, `{{H2302}}`) consistently signifies "to rejoice" or "to be glad," and in its causative form, "to make glad." Though infrequent in the Hebrew Bible, its occurrences are potent, appearing in contexts where joy is a direct response to God's mighty acts of salvation and His unfailing goodness ([[Exodus 18:9]], [[Nehemiah 12:43]]). It also portrays God as the divine source of gladness, bestowing joy upon His anointed ([[Psalm 21:6]]). Conversely, the absence of חָדָה signifies a state of profound sorrow and lament ([[Job 3:6]]). Thus, חָדָה contributes to the rich biblical tapestry of joy, emphasizing a deep, divinely-sourced gladness that is both a fitting human response to God's actions and a precious gift from His presence.
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