Joseph Today let’s look at the last uses of chesed-חֶסֶד in Genesis.  Let’s begin. The God of Bethel commanded Jacob to leave Laban and return to the land of his birth. In Genesis 32 we find our patriarch on his way back to Canaan, but his fratricidally inclined brother was on his way to him.  […]

Let’s look at the two remaining times chesed-חֶסֶד is mentioned in Abraham’s story. Here’s some background: Abraham feared that Abimelech might kill him and take Sarah into his harem. Abraham and Sarah determined to deceive this king to protect Abraham. Sarah entered his harem. After a while, God visited Abimelech in a dream, threatened his […]

Let’s start tracing how chesed-חֶסֶד is used in Genesis. When we read these narratives, we get the opportunity to discover its meaning.  The first time chesed-חֶסֶד is found in the Tanach is in the story of Lot and his family’s rescue.  Commanded to leave Sodom, Lot hesitated. Two angels grabbed his and his family’s hands […]

We’re beginning a study about one of my favorite words: Chesed-חֶסֶד. (Yes, I have favorite words.) It is chock-full of meaning. This week I’ll share the definition I wrote out. Over the ensuing days we’ll examine this word by considering some representative Scriptures from which the definition arose. I hope you take the time to […]