חָסֵר

châçêr /khaw-sare'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen
KJV usagebe abated, bereave, decrease, (cause to) fail, (have) lack, make lower, want.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châçêr, represented by H2637, is a primitive root meaning to lack. It appears 21 times across 21 unique verses. Its application extends beyond simple want, encompassing ideas like failing, lessening, decreasing, or being abated.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In Scripture, H2637 is frequently used to contrast divine provision with states of need. The psalmist declares that with the LORD as his shepherd, "I shall not want" Psalms 23:1. This theme of God's sufficiency is echoed in the promise that those who seek Him "shall not want any good thing" Psalms 34:10. This is demonstrated in Israel's history, where during forty years in the wilderness, "thou hast lacked nothing" (Deuteronomy 2:7; Nehemiah 9:21). The word can also denote a physical decrease, as when the flood waters were abated Genesis 8:3 and decreased Genesis 8:5. Conversely, it describes the consequence of disobedience, as when Israel wanted all things after turning to idolatry Jeremiah 44:18, or a man of lonely toil is said to bereave his own soul of good Ecclesiastes 4:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the concept of lacking or failing:

  • H4270 machçôwr (deficiency; hence, impoverishment; lack, need, penury, poor, poverty, want): This noun, derived from H2637, describes the state of need itself. For instance, one should lend to the needy sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth Deuteronomy 15:8.
  • H7326 rûwsh (to be destitute; lack, needy, (make self) poor (man)): This verb is used in parallel to highlight a state of destitution. While young lions may lack and suffer hunger, those who seek God will not want Psalms 34:10.
  • H3615 kâlâh (to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume); accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste.): This term is used alongside H2637 to describe a complete cessation. God promised that the barrel of meal would not waste and the cruse of oil would not fail 1 Kings 17:14.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2637 is centered on the relationship between God's providence and humanity's state.

  • Divine Sufficiency: The word powerfully illustrates that reliance on God eliminates lack. Whether in the wilderness journey Nehemiah 9:21 or personal devotion Psalms 23:1, God's presence ensures His people do not want.
  • Consequences of Sin: Want is presented as a direct result of disobedience. In turning from God, Israel wanted all things and was consumed Jeremiah 44:18. Judgment for iniquity is described as a state where people want bread and water Ezekiel 4:17.
  • Created Hierarchy: The term is also used to establish relative status. In a unique application, it is used to state that God made humanity a little lower than the angels, signifying a created rank rather than a material deficiency Psalms 8:5.

Summary

In summary, H2637 châçêr is a versatile term that signifies more than just a lack of possessions. It describes a spectrum of deficiency, from the physical decrease of floodwaters Genesis 8:5 and the need for daily bread Isaiah 51:14 to the theological state of want that results from turning away from God Jeremiah 44:18. Ultimately, it serves as a key term to contrast the destitution found in the world with the complete sufficiency found only in the LORD Psalms 34:10.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 23 occurrences, inflected in 15 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 5×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 3×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Absolute 1×

+ 3 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 21 verses across 12 books. Most frequent in Genesis (3 verses).

3
Genesis
1
Exodus
3
Deuteronomy
1
1 Kings
1
Nehemiah
3
Psalms
2
Proverbs
2
Ecclesiastes
1
Song of Solomon
2
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel

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