from חָסֵר; lack; hence, destitution; poverty, want.
Transliteration:cheçer
Pronunciation:kheh'-ler
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חֶסֶר (cheçer, `{{H2639}}`) is derived from the verbal root חָסֵר (chasér, `{{H2637}}`), which signifies "to lack, to decrease, to fail, to be wanting." As a noun, חֶסֶר thus denotes the state or condition of lacking. Its semantic range encompasses:
1. **Lack/Want:** A general absence or deficiency of something, implying an incompleteness or insufficiency. This can apply to various aspects, not solely material.
2. **Destitution/Poverty:** A more severe and specific manifestation of lack, particularly concerning material necessities, leading to hardship and privation. This is often associated with hunger, thirst, or lack of shelter.
3. **Deficiency/Defect:** Implies that something is missing or incomplete, rendering it less than whole or perfect.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חֶסֶר (cheçer, `{{H2639}}`) appears in several significant contexts within the Hebrew Bible, illuminating its various nuances:
* **[[Deuteronomy 28:48]]**: "Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in want of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you." Here, חֶסֶר is presented as a severe consequence of covenant disobedience. It describes a state of utter deprivation and destitution, a key component of the curses pronounced upon Israel for rebellion. This highlights חֶסֶר as a punitive state, a direct result of divine judgment.
* **[[Job 30:3]]**: "They are gaunt from want and hunger; they gnaw the dry ground in the desolate wasteland." In Job's lament, חֶסֶר is linked directly with physical suffering and extreme hunger. It paints a vivid picture of destitution in the wilderness, emphasizing the dire physical and emotional toll that such lack inflicts. This usage underscores the raw, painful reality of privation.
* **[[Proverbs 28:22]]**: "He who has an evil eye hastens after riches and does not know that poverty [חֶסֶר] will come upon him." This proverb connects חֶסֶר (poverty) with moral failing, specifically the "evil eye," which denotes greed or envy. It suggests that an unrighteous pursuit of wealth, driven by covetousness, paradoxically leads to the very state of lack one tries to avoid. Here, חֶסֶר is a consequence of misguided human choices and a lack of wisdom.
* **[[Nehemiah 9:21]]**: "Indeed, forty years You provided for them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing; their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell." This verse offers a profound contrast to the other occurrences. It explicitly states that during their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites experienced *no* חֶסֶר due to God's miraculous and sustained provision. This highlights God's faithfulness and omnipotence, demonstrating His ability to completely overcome and avert the state of lack, even in the most challenging circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding חֶסֶר (cheçer, `{{H2639}}`) is enhanced by examining its relationship with other Hebrew terms:
* **Root חָסֵר (chasér, `{{H2637}}`):** The verbal root itself, meaning "to lack, decrease, fail." This is the foundational concept from which the noun is derived, emphasizing the active state of being deficient.
* **מַחְסוֹר (machsor, `{{H4264}}`):** Another noun derived from the same root, often translated as "lack," "want," or "need." It is very close in meaning to חֶסֶר and can be found in parallel constructions, emphasizing similar concepts of deficiency. For example, [[Psalm 34:9]] states that those who fear the Lord "will not be in want of any good thing" (מַחְסוֹר).
* **עֹנִי (oni, `{{H6040}}`):** Meaning "affliction," "poverty," or "misery." While broader than חֶסֶר, it often describes the condition resulting from חֶסֶר, emphasizing the suffering and hardship associated with lack.
* **דַּל (dal, `{{H1800}}`) and רָשׁ (rash, `{{H7326}}`):** Adjectives meaning "poor" or "needy," describing individuals who experience חֶסֶר. These terms focus on the social and economic status of those in want.
* **Antonyms/Contrasting Concepts:**
* שֶׁפַע (shefa', `{{H8199}}`): Abundance, plenty, overflow.
* שָׂבַע (sava', `{{H7646}}`): To be satisfied, to be full, to have enough.
These terms highlight the antithesis of חֶסֶר, underscoring God's capacity for lavish provision.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חֶסֶר (cheçer, `{{H2639}}`) is multifaceted, touching upon divine justice, human responsibility, and God's faithfulness:
* **Divine Judgment and Consequence:** חֶסֶר serves as a tangible manifestation of divine judgment or the natural consequence of disobedience to God's covenant. As seen in Deuteronomy, it is a severe punitive state, demonstrating that turning away from God can lead to a withdrawal of blessings and an experience of profound lack.
* **The Human Condition and Fallenness:** In a fallen world, חֶסֶר can reflect the inherent vulnerability and limitations of humanity. It is a stark reminder of the precariousness of life and the ever-present possibility of suffering and deprivation.
* **Moral and Ethical Dimensions:** The Proverbs passage links חֶסֶר to human moral choices. It is not always a random occurrence but can be a direct outcome of unrighteous living, greed, or idleness. This dimension calls humanity to ethical conduct, diligence, and trust in God's ways rather than self-serving pursuits.
* **God's Provision and Faithfulness:** Crucially, חֶסֶר also highlights God's sovereign power and unwavering faithfulness. The account in Nehemiah vividly demonstrates that God can miraculously prevent or reverse חֶסֶר for His people, even in the most desolate circumstances. This underscores His character as a provider who ensures His covenant people lack nothing essential. It is a powerful testament to His omnipotence and care.
* **Call to Compassion and Justice:** While חֶסֶר can be a consequence of sin, its presence in society also serves as a call to the community of faith to exercise compassion, justice, and generosity towards the poor and needy. Addressing חֶסֶר in others reflects God's own character and His concern for the vulnerable.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חֶסֶר (cheçer, `{{H2639}}`) fundamentally denotes "lack," extending its semantic range to include "destitution" and "poverty." Its biblical occurrences reveal its varied implications: it functions as a severe consequence of covenant disobedience ([[Deuteronomy 28:48]]), a painful reality of human suffering ([[Job 30:3]]), and a direct result of moral failings and misguided pursuits ([[Proverbs 28:22]]). Most significantly, חֶסֶר is powerfully contrasted by God's faithful and miraculous provision, demonstrating His ability to ensure His people "lacked nothing" ([[Nehemiah 9:21]]). Theologically, חֶסֶר underscores themes of divine judgment, the human condition, the moral implications of choices, and, most profoundly, the boundless provision and faithfulness of God, who can overcome all forms of lack. It also serves as a call for human compassion and justice towards those experiencing want.
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