from חָסֵר; lacking; hence, without; destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want.
Transliteration:châçêr
Pronunciation:khaw-sare'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma חָסֵר (châçêr, `{{H2638}}`) fundamentally denotes a state of "lacking," "being deficient," or "being in want." Derived from the root חָסֵר (chasar, `{{H2637}}`), its core meaning revolves around an absence, a decrease, or a condition of destitution. The semantic range of חָסֵר encompasses several nuances:
* **Physical or Material Lack:** Insufficiency of resources, food, water, or possessions, leading to destitution or poverty.
* **Absence or Void:** Something missing from its proper or expected place, indicating a deficit or emptiness.
* **Failure or Decrease:** A diminishing of strength, number, quality, or success, signifying a decline or shortfall.
* **Need or Want:** A subjective experience of requiring something essential, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
It can function both as a verb (to lack, to fail, to be wanting) and as a participle or adjective (lacking, deficient, without).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of חָסֵר in the Hebrew Bible often highlights themes of divine provision, human responsibility, and the consequences of spiritual or material deficiency.
* **Divine Provision and Sufficiency:** Perhaps most famously, חָסֵר appears in declarations of God's complete provision. In [[Deuteronomy 2:7]], Moses recounts Israel's forty years in the wilderness: "These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing." This emphasizes God's meticulous care. Similarly, [[Psalm 23:1]] beautifully proclaims, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (לֹא אֶחְסָר), a profound statement of absolute trust in divine sufficiency. [[Psalm 34:10]] further contrasts the natural world's hunger with God's provision: "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing." In [[1 Kings 17:16]], the prophet Elijah's promise to the widow of Zarephath declares, "The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty (לֹא תֶחְסָר)," illustrating miraculous sustenance.
* **Human Folly and Consequences:** חָסֵר can also describe the negative outcomes of human choices. [[Proverbs 13:4]] states, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing (וָאַיִן, literally 'and there is lack'), but the soul of the diligent is made rich." Here, lack is presented as a direct consequence of idleness and a failure to act.
* **Withholding and Deprivation:** In its Hiphil form, חָסֵר can mean "to cause to lack" or "to withhold." [[Isaiah 32:6]] condemns the fool who "keeps the hungry soul unsatisfied (לְהַחְסִיר נֶפֶשׁ רָעֵב) and withholds drink from the thirsty." This usage reveals the ethical dimension of חָסֵר, highlighting the sin of depriving others of their basic needs.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of חָסֵר is enriched by examining its relationship with other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **`{{H4264}}` מַחְסוֹר (machsor)**: This is a noun directly derived from the same root as חָסֵר, meaning "lack," "want," "need," or "deficiency." It often appears in contexts describing poverty or a state of need, such as [[Proverbs 28:27]], "He who gives to the poor will not lack (אֵין מַחְסוֹר)."
* **`{{H7225}}` רֹב (rov)**: Meaning "abundance" or "plenty," this term stands as a direct antonym to חָסֵר, representing the state of having more than enough.
* **`{{H7648}}` שָׂבַע (sava)**: To "be satisfied" or "be full," particularly in relation to food or contentment, is another conceptual opposite to the state of חָסֵר.
* **Divine Provision (פַּרְנָסָה - parnasa)**: While not a direct Hebrew word, the theological concept of God's provision is intrinsically linked to חָסֵר. The repeated assurance that God's people "will not lack" underscores His role as the ultimate Provider, contrasting sharply with human limitations.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חָסֵר is profound, primarily revolving around the character of God and the nature of human dependence.
* **God's Sufficiency and Faithfulness:** The most prominent theological implication is that God is the ultimate source of all provision, and when He is honored and sought, His people will not experience fundamental lack. This is a cornerstone of trust in Yahweh, affirming His omnipotence and unwavering care for His covenant people. The absence of חָסֵר becomes a tangible sign of divine blessing and presence.
* **Critique of Human Self-Sufficiency:** Conversely, חָסֵר can serve as a stark reminder of human limitations and the futility of relying solely on one's own efforts or resources. The sluggard's persistent lack in [[Proverbs 13:4]] illustrates that human endeavor, divorced from diligence or divine blessing, often results in want.
* **Ethical Implications of Justice:** The Hiphil usage, "to cause to lack," highlights a crucial ethical dimension. Depriving others of their needs is presented as a grave sin, reflecting a disregard for human dignity and God's design for communal well-being. This underscores the biblical call for justice, generosity, and caring for the vulnerable.
* **Spiritual Hunger and Fulfillment:** While often used materially, חָסֵר can also imply spiritual deficiency. The ultimate satisfaction and freedom from spiritual "want" are found in a relationship with God, who alone can truly fill the deepest longings of the human soul.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חָסֵר (châçêr, `{{H2638}}`) encapsulates the multifaceted concept of "lacking," "being deficient," or "being in want." Its usage in the biblical text spans material destitution, absence, failure, and subjective need. Theologically, חָסֵר serves as a powerful descriptor in contrasting human insufficiency with divine abundance. Pivotal passages such as [[Psalm 23:1]] and [[Deuteronomy 2:7]] famously declare that those who trust in the LORD "shall not lack" or "have lacked nothing," thereby affirming God's unfailing provision and sovereign care. Conversely, חָסֵר also illustrates the consequences of human idleness ([[Proverbs 13:4]]) and condemns the act of intentionally causing others to be in want ([[Isaiah 32:6]]). Ultimately, חָסֵר underscores a foundational biblical truth: while humanity is prone to various forms of lack, true and lasting sufficiency, both material and spiritual, is found only in the faithful and boundless provision of God.
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