### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H2837}}` (חֵשֶׁק - chêsheq) is derived from the verbal root `{{H2836}}` (חָשַׁק - chashaq), which primarily means "to cling to," "to be attached to," "to love," or "to desire strongly." As a noun, chêsheq denotes the *result* or *expression* of this attachment, encompassing meanings such as "delight," "desire," "pleasure," or "fondness." It signifies a strong emotional inclination or deep affection towards a person or object, often implying a profound satisfaction or longing associated with that connection. The semantic range moves from a simple "desire" to a more profound "delight" or "pleasure" experienced through the object of one's affection or the fulfillment of a strong wish.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H2837}}` appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are significant:
* **[[Deuteronomy 7:7]]**: "The Lord did not set His affection on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples." Here, chêsheq describes God's "affection" or "love" for Israel. This is a pivotal use, emphasizing that God's choice of Israel was not based on their merit, size, or strength, but solely on His sovereign will and unmerited grace. It speaks of a divine, uncoerced attachment.
* **[[1 Kings 9:19]]**: "...and all the storage cities that Solomon had, and the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion." In this context, chêsheq refers to Solomon's "desire" or "pleasure" in his extensive building projects. It illustrates human ambition and the pursuit of personal will and satisfaction.
* **[[1 Kings 10:13]]**: "And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon gave her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants." Here, chêsheq denotes the "desire" or "request" of the Queen of Sheba, indicating her specific wishes or what she longed to receive.
* **[[Isaiah 21:4]]**: "My heart throbs, horror appalls me; the twilight I longed for has been turned for me into trembling." In this prophetic lament, chêsheq describes the prophet's "longing" or "desire" for the evening, which is tragically transformed into a source of dread. It conveys a strong, almost desperate, human yearning that is ultimately disappointed.
These contexts reveal chêsheq applied to both divine and human subjects, highlighting different facets of desire, affection, and longing.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H2836}}` (חָשַׁק - chashaq)**: The verbal root from which chêsheq is derived. It signifies the active "clinging," "loving," or "desiring" that gives rise to the noun's meaning of "delight" or "pleasure." The noun is the outcome or object of the verb.
* **`{{H1687}}` (דָּבַק - dabaq)**: Meaning "to cling" or "to cleave," this verb shares a semantic field with chashaq in conveying strong attachment, often used in contexts of loyalty, devotion, or covenantal commitment (e.g., a man clinging to his wife, or Israel clinging to the Lord).
* **`{{H157}}` (אָהַב - 'ahav)**: The general and primary verb for "to love." While chêsheq can imply love, it often carries a stronger nuance of intense desire or the delight that results from love, whereas ahav is a broader term for affection.
* **`{{H2656}}` (חָפֵץ - chaphets)** and **`{{H2655}}` (חֵפֶץ - chephets)**: These terms mean "to delight in," "to desire," or "pleasure." They are very close in meaning to chashaq and chêsheq, often used interchangeably. A subtle distinction might be that chashaq/chêsheq emphasizes the *attachment* or *fondness*, while chaphets/chephets might emphasize the *will* or the *pleasure derived*.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2837}}` is most profoundly expressed in its application to God's relationship with Israel. In [[Deuteronomy 7:7]], God's "affection" (chêsheq) for His people underscores the doctrine of divine election and covenantal grace. It reveals that God's choice is not based on human merit, strength, or number, but flows from His own sovereign, unmerited love and delight. This divine chêsheq is foundational to Israel's identity and the entire narrative of salvation history, establishing a relationship rooted in God's gratuitous initiative rather than human worthiness.
Conversely, the use of chêsheq in human contexts ([[1 Kings 9:19]], [[1 Kings 10:13]], [[Isaiah 21:4]]) illustrates the diverse nature of human desire. These instances portray human longing for material accomplishments, personal satisfaction, or even desperate yearning for relief. Such human chêsheq can be fleeting, self-serving, or tragically disappointed, implicitly contrasting with the steadfast, unwavering, and benevolent nature of God's chêsheq. The word thus serves to highlight both the profound depths of divine love and the often-limited or misdirected nature of human affections.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun `{{H2837}}` (חֵשֶׁק - chêsheq) signifies "delight," "desire," or "pleasure," stemming from the verbal root `{{H2836}}` meaning "to cling to" or "to be attached." Its most significant theological usage is found in [[Deuteronomy 7:7]], where it describes God's unmerited "affection" for Israel, highlighting His sovereign, gracious choice independent of human merit. In other contexts, chêsheq illuminates various facets of human "desire" or "longing," ranging from ambitious pursuits ([[1 Kings 9:19]]) and fulfilled requests ([[1 Kings 10:13]]) to poignant, even desperate, yearnings ([[Isaiah 21:4]]). Across its limited occurrences, chêsheq consistently conveys a sense of strong inclination, deep attachment, or profound longing, whether divinely initiated as steadfast love or humanly experienced as desire.
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