Living Out Hessed: Embracing God's Lovingkindness

The Meaning of Hessed

Hessed (חֶסֶד) derives from the Hebrew root ḥ-s-d, signifying a deep, covenantal love central to God’s relationship with Israel.

The root ḥ-s-d implies loyalty and generosity, often depicted as God’s unwavering commitment to His covenant. In Psalm 103:8, God is described as ‘merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in Hessed,’ illustrating this love as both steadfast and forgiving. Unlike general affection, Hessed is tied to divine promises, emphasizing relational fidelity.

While Hessed emphasizes covenantal loyalty, the term racham (רַחַם), meaning ‘to have mercy,’ reflects a more visceral, compassionate response, as seen in Joel 2:13 where God is urged to ‘spare His people’ out of racham. These terms, though related, highlight different dimensions of divine love: Hessed as steadfast commitment and racham as tender compassion.

Hessed in Biblical Context

Hessed appears prominently in key Old Testament passages that illuminate its covenantal and relational significance.

Exodus 34:6-7 describes God as 'merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Hessed), and forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,' directly linking Hessed to divine forgiveness and covenant faithfulness. Psalm 103:8 echoes this, stating, 'The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Hessed).' In both texts, Hessed is a dynamic force that sustains God's relationship with Israel despite human failure. It is rooted in the Mosaic covenant's promises.

This term underscores a reciprocal loyalty: God's Hessed demands a response of obedience and trust from Israel, as seen in Exodus 20:6 ('showing steadfast love to thousands who love me and keep my commandments').

Understanding Hessed thus reframes divine love as an active, covenant-bound commitment that shapes both divine action and human responsibility, laying groundwork for later biblical themes of grace and mercy.

Hessed in Jeremiah 31:3

In Jeremiah 31:3 - 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing Hessed' - the term Hessed crystallizes the covenantal depth of God's commitment to Israel.

This verse positions Hessed as the active force sustaining God's relationship with His people, emphasizing its 'unfailing' nature even amid Israel's historical unfaithfulness. The pairing of 'everlasting love' with Hessed underscores a dual dimension: the former as an abstract declaration of affection, and the latter as the tangible, relational mechanism through which that love operates. Here, Hessed is covenantal. It binds God's promises to Israel's restoration.

Theologically, this passage frames Hessed as the embodiment of divine constancy. Unlike human love, which wanes or conditions itself on reciprocity, God's Hessed in Jeremiah 31:3 transcends temporal and moral failures, anchoring His people's identity in His unwavering choice of them. It reflects a proactive, redemptive engagement - 'drawing' Israel toward covenantal renewal rather than passively enduring their transgressions. This dynamic reciprocity reshapes divine love as both steadfast and transformative, challenging later interpretations that reduce Hessed to static benevolence.

By situating Hessed within the post-exilic context of Jeremiah, the verse anticipates the New Covenant's promise of internalized law and renewed hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This bridges Old Testament covenantal theology with the New Testament's emphasis on grace, illustrating how Hessed functions as a theological linchpin between divine faithfulness and human response.

Putting 'Hessed' into Practice

Believers today can embody Hessed by reflecting God’s covenantal love through intentional forgiveness, steadfast commitment, and proactive care for others.

The Exodus 34:6-7 depiction of God as 'abounding in steadfast love (Hessed)' and Psalm 103:8's 'slow to anger' portrayal challenge Christians to mirror this grace in relationships, particularly when extending mercy to those who wrong them. Jeremiah 31:3's 'unfailing Hessed' illustrates how believers might maintain covenantal loyalty even amid human failure, echoing God’s redemptive 'everlasting love.' Practically, this means forgiving not conditionally but as a deliberate choice to uphold relational bonds, akin to God’s covenantal faithfulness. By integrating Hessed into daily interactions - through patient reconciliation, consistent support, and prioritizing others’ well-being - Christians model the transformative power of covenantal love that transcends mere sentiment.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of Hessed, explore its theological and covenantal dimensions through related concepts and resources.

Consider studying commentaries on Exodus 34:6-7, Psalm 103:8, and Jeremiah 31:3-34 in light of covenant theology, which frames God’s Hessed as a binding commitment to His people. Engaging with works like Walter Brueggemann’s *Theology of the Old Testament* can clarify how Hessed shapes divine-human relationships and anticipates New Covenant themes of grace and redemption.