from חָפֵץ; pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind); acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired, matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly.
Transliteration:chêphets
Pronunciation:khay'-fets
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun חֵפֶץ (chêphets - `{{H2656}}`) is derived from the verbal root חָפֵץ (châphêts - `{{H2654}}`), which signifies "to delight in," "to desire," "to be pleased with," or "to take pleasure in." As a noun, chêphets encompasses a rich semantic range reflecting this root meaning. Its primary sense is "pleasure" or "delight," referring to an internal state of satisfaction or gratification.
From this core, its meaning extends abstractly to "desire," "will," or "purpose," often denoting an intention or a strong inclination of the mind. When applied to God, it speaks of His sovereign will and unchangeable counsel. Concretely, chêphets can refer to "a valuable thing" or "a desirable object"—something that is a source of pleasure or worth. By extension, it can also denote "a matter," "an affair," or "a business," signifying something that is a concern or object of thought, perhaps because it is desirable or requires attention. The range thus moves from subjective emotion to objective reality, encompassing both internal disposition and external manifestation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term chêphets appears approximately 38 times in the Old Testament, with notable concentrations in the prophetic books of Isaiah and the wisdom literature, particularly Ecclesiastes and Proverbs.
In the book of Isaiah, chêphets frequently describes the unchallengeable will and purpose of Yahweh. For instance, [[Isaiah 44:28]] declares that Cyrus "shall fulfill all my purpose" (כָּל־חֶפְצִי), and [[Isaiah 46:10]] affirms, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose" (כָּל־חֶפְצִי אֶעֱשֶׂה). Most profoundly, [[Isaiah 53:10]] states, "It was the will of the Lord (וַיהוָה חָפֵץ) to crush him; he has put him to grief." Here, the noun's root verb is used, but the concept of God's sovereign "will" or "pleasure" in the suffering of the Servant is central, underscoring a divine, redemptive purpose.
In Ecclesiastes, chêphets often highlights the futility of human pursuits and desires "under the sun." [[Ecclesiastes 3:1]] famously states, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter (וְעֵת לְכָל־חֵפֶץ) under heaven," where chêphets refers to an "affair" or "purpose." Elsewhere, it speaks of the lack of "pleasure" (אֵין־חֵפֶץ לִי בָהֶם) in life's later years ([[Ecclesiastes 12:1]]) or the search for "words of delight" (דִּבְרֵי־חֵפֶץ) by the Preacher ([[Ecclesiastes 12:10]]). The book contrasts the fleeting nature of human chêphets with the lasting value found in revering God.
In the Psalms, chêphets can describe the righteous person's devotion, as in [[Psalm 1:2]]: "his delight (כִּי אִם־בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה חֶפְצוֹ) is in the law of the Lord." Here, chêphets signifies a profound pleasure and commitment to divine instruction. Proverbs uses the term to describe desirable qualities or actions, such as the "willing hands" (בְּחֵפֶץ כַּפֶּיהָ) of the excellent wife in [[Proverbs 31:13]], implying a joyful and eager disposition in her work. Other contexts include [[1 Samuel 15:22]] where God's "delight" (חֵפֶץ) is in obedience over sacrifice, and [[Malachi 1:10]] where God expresses no "pleasure" (חֵפֶץ) in the defiled offerings of His people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and significant related word is the verbal root חָפֵץ (châphêts - `{{H2654}}`), from which חֵפֶץ (chêphets - `{{H2656}}`) is derived. Understanding the verb's meaning of "to desire," "to be pleased," or "to take delight in" is crucial for grasping the noun's full scope.
Other related Hebrew terms that share semantic space include:
* רָצוֹן (râtzôn - `{{H7522}}`): "favor," "goodwill," "acceptance," or "desire." This term often overlaps with chêphets when speaking of God's will or pleasure, though râtzôn can carry a stronger connotation of divine approval or acceptance.
* תַּאֲוָה (ta'ăvâh - `{{H8378}}`): "desire," "longing," or "lust." While chêphets can denote a positive desire, ta'ăvâh often carries a more negative or morally neutral connotation, referring to cravings or appetites.
* חֶמְדָּה (ḥemdâh - {{`{{H2532}}`}}): "desirable thing," "precious thing," or "beauty." This term focuses more on the inherent desirability or value of an object, whereas chêphets can refer to both the desire itself and the object of desire.
These terms collectively illuminate the spectrum of human and divine volition, affection, and the objects thereof.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of chêphets is profound, particularly in its application to God. When referring to Yahweh, chêphets underscores His absolute sovereignty and the unchangeable nature of His divine will and purpose. The declarations in Isaiah ([[Isaiah 46:10]], [[Isaiah 44:28]]) affirm that God's plans will inevitably come to fruition because they stem from His unhindered pleasure and desire. This provides a deep well of comfort for believers, knowing that God's ultimate purpose for creation and redemption will be accomplished.
Crucially, [[Isaiah 53:10]] reveals that even the suffering and "crushing" of the Servant was according to the Lord's "will" (חָפֵץ), pointing forward to the atoning work of Christ as a deliberate act of divine love and sovereign purpose for salvation. This transforms human suffering, when viewed through the lens of God's redemptive plan, into something with profound meaning.
For humanity, chêphets highlights the proper orientation of human desire. [[Psalm 1:2]] exemplifies the righteous person whose "delight" is in God's law, contrasting with the fleeting and often misguided "pleasures" sought by the ungodly. Ecclesiastes serves as a prolonged meditation on the vanity of human chêphets when pursued apart from God, ultimately concluding that true "purpose" or "profit" (often `{{H3504}}`) is found in fearing God and keeping His commandments ([[Ecclesiastes 12:13]]). Thus, chêphets teaches that human desires find their true fulfillment only when aligned with and submitted to God's divine will.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חֵפֶץ (chêphets - `{{H2656}}`), derived from the verb חָפֵץ (châphêts - `{{H2654}}`), conveys the core meaning of "pleasure," "delight," or "desire." Its semantic range extends to encompass "will," "purpose," "a valuable thing," and even "a matter" or "affair." Biblically, chêphets is critically important for understanding both human volition and, more significantly, the sovereign will and unchangeable purpose of God.
In Isaiah, it emphasizes God's omnipotent plan, particularly His redemptive "will" concerning the Suffering Servant ([[Isaiah 53:10]]). In Ecclesiastes, it often illustrates the transient and ultimately unsatisfying nature of human desires when pursued independently of divine wisdom. Conversely, [[Psalm 1:2]] beautifully portrays the righteous individual whose "delight" is firmly rooted in God's instruction. Ultimately, chêphets serves as a rich term to articulate the profound interplay between divine sovereignty and human aspiration, guiding believers to align their deepest desires with the perfect and enduring will of God.
TRV