Word Study for H2632 (חֵסֶן) | Strong's Concordance

chêçen /khay'-sen/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) from חֲסַן

Meaningstrength

KJV usagepower.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of chêçen — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word chêçen, represented by H2632, means strength or power. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses within the book of Daniel. Its usage is consistently tied to the concept of royal authority and the force that underpins a kingdom.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two appearances of H2632 present a study in contrast regarding the source of authority. In Daniel 2:37, the prophet tells a king that the "God of heaven" has granted him a kingdom H4437, power H2632, strength H8632, and glory H3367. Later, in Daniel 4:30, that same king boasts of the great Babylon he has built by the might H8632 of his own power H2632 and for the honour H3367 of his majesty H1923, demonstrating a shift from acknowledging a divine source to claiming personal achievement.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words appear alongside H2632, helping to define its context of royal might:

H8632 tᵉqôph (power; might, strength): This word is used in conjunction with H2632 in both of its occurrences, often translated as "might" or "strength," serving to intensify the concept of formidable power (Daniel 2:37, Daniel 4:30).
H4437 malkûw (dominion; kingdom, kingly, realm, reign): This word for "kingdom" is directly linked to H2632, as power is a foundational element of any king's dominion (Daniel 2:37, Daniel 4:30).
H3367 yᵉqâr (glory, honour): Often translated as "glory" or "honour," this term is presented as a result or companion of power, signifying the dignity and splendor that comes with royal authority (Daniel 2:37, Daniel 4:30).

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H2632 is focused on the nature and origin of authority.

Divinely Delegated Authority: The use of H2632 in Daniel 2:37 establishes that all earthly power ultimately originates from God, who gives it to rulers as He sees fit.
The Peril of Human Pride: In Daniel 4:30, the word illustrates the human tendency to take credit for divinely given power, viewing it as a personal possession and a tool for self-glorification.
An Element of Kingship: The word is always used within a list of royal attributes, positioning power as an essential component of what constitutes a kingdom, alongside strength, glory, and majesty.

Summary

In summary, H2632 is a specific and potent term for power within a royal context. Though used only twice, it effectively explores the crucial theological theme of divine sovereignty versus human arrogance. It demonstrates how a ruler's perspective on the source of their power—whether as a gift from God or a product of their own might—is a defining aspect of their reign.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

חִסְנִ
חִסְנָ

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.