Original Word: חָסֹן
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: chacon
Pronunciation: khaw-SONE
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-sone')
KJV: strong
NASB: strong, strong man
Word Origin: [from H2630 (חָסַן - hoarded)]

1. powerful

strong

From chacan; powerful -- strong.

see HEBREW chacan

Word Origin
from the same as chosen
Definition
strong
NASB Translation
strong (1), strong man (1).

חָסֹן adjective strong, of the Amorite Amos 2:9 (כָּאַלּוֺנִים ׳ח, strong as the oaks); הֶחָסוֺן as substantive the strong one Isaiah 1:31.

Definition and Semantic Range

חָסֹן (ḥason) connotes vigor, robustness, or might—qualities often embodied in a fully-grown tree or a formidable warrior. The word does not merely describe physical brawn; it evokes a resilience that appears unassailable until the moment divine judgment exposes its limits.

Occurrences and Contexts

• Isaiah 1:31—“The strong will become tinder, and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to extinguish it.” The term is paired with imagery of effortless combustion. What the people of Judah assumed to be enduring stability is rendered as easily consumed as dry straw under the holy fire of God’s justice.
• Amos 2:9—“Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the cedars and he was as strong as the oaks…” Israel’s history is rehearsed to underscore that even towering, deep-rooted strength falls before the LORD’s redemptive purposes.

Theological Implications

1. False Security. In both verses חָסֹן stands for human strength admired by society. Scripture deliberately overturns that admiration by depicting God eliminating it in an instant. Any confidence anchored merely in earthly power is shown to be idolatrous (compare Jeremiah 9:23-24).
2. Divine Sovereignty. Whether judging His covenant people (Isaiah) or defeating pagan nations (Amos), the LORD alone determines the endurance or collapse of “strength.” חָסֹן becomes a theological tool reminding readers that all might is derivative and accountable.
3. Eschatological Overtones. Isaiah’s introductory chapter frames Jerusalem’s moral decay against coming judgment, foreshadowing the ultimate purging fire that will precede restoration (Isaiah 4:4). The collapse of חָסֹן anticipates the day when every proud thing is humbled (Isaiah 2:12-17).

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Near-Eastern societies often lauded heroes and kings with arboreal metaphors—cedars, oaks, terebinths—symbols of stability and majesty. Amos taps directly into that cultural vocabulary, portraying the Amorite as nature’s colossus. Isaiah speaks within Judah’s urban setting, where fortified elites presumed permanence. By using the same word for “strength” across different settings, Scripture levels city walls and forest giants alike before the Creator.

Canonical Links

The motif of God toppling human strength resonates with:
• Genesis 11:1-9—Babel’s tower.
• Exodus 15:1-18—the song of Moses exalting YHWH over Pharaoh’s chariots.
• Daniel 4:28-37—Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling.
• Revelation 18:8—“in one day her plagues will overtake her,” addressing Babylon the Great.

Thus חָסֹן participates in a canonical chorus announcing that enduring power belongs to God alone.

Applications for Ministry

1. Preaching on Idolatry of Power. Isaiah 1:31 provides a vivid sermon illustration: the bonfire of human self-reliance.
2. Encouraging the Oppressed. Amos 2:9 assures believers that oppressive systems—even those appearing as “oaks”—cannot withstand God’s covenant faithfulness.
3. Discipleship and Spiritual Formation. Use חָסֹן to challenge personal and corporate idols: wealth, reputation, political influence. Believers are invited to exchange fragile human strength for grace-empowered dependence (“My power is perfected in weakness,” 2 Corinthians 12:9).
4. Counseling in Crisis. When worldly supports collapse, Isaiah’s imagery reminds sufferers that God often removes false pillars to reveal the only unfailing refuge (Psalm 46:1).

Summary

חָסֹן is a concise yet potent Hebrew term unmasking the illusion of autonomous strength. Whether confronting Israel’s complacent nobility or recalling the defeat of an intimidating enemy, Scripture uses the word to magnify divine supremacy and invite humble trust.

הֶחָסֹן֙ החסן וְחָסֹ֥ן וחסן he·ḥā·sōn hechaSon heḥāsōn vechaSon wə·ḥā·sōn wəḥāsōnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts