Original Word: חָשַׁק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chashaq
Pronunciation: khaw-shak'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-shak')
Definition: To love, to be attached to, to delight in, to cling
Meaning: to cling, join, to love, delight in, elliptically, to deliver

have a delight, have a desire, fillet, long, set in love

A primitive root; to cling, i.e. Join, (figuratively) to love, delight in; elliptically (or by interchangeable for chasak) to deliver -- have a delight, (have a) desire, fillet, long, set (in) love.

see HEBREW chasak

I. חָשַׁק verb be attached to, love (Late Hebrew press together, desire (rare); Aramaic חֲשַׁק bind, saddle (an ass)) —

Qal Perfect ׳ח Deuteronomy 7:7 4t.; חָֽשְׁקָה Genesis 34:8; חָשַׁקְתָּ Isaiah 38:17 (but see below); וְחָֽשַׁקְתָּ֫ Deuteronomy 21:11; — be attached to, only figurative = love, a woman followed by בְּ Genesis 34:8 (P) Deuteronomy 21:11; elsewhere of ׳יs; love for Israel Deuteronomy 7:7; Deuteronomy 10:15, and of love to ׳י Psalm 91:14; followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb+ לְ and infinitive ׳כלחֵֿשֶׁק שְׁלֹמה אשׁר ח לִבְנוֺת 1 Kings 9:19 2Chronicles 8:6; חָשַׁקְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִשַּׁחַת Isaiah 38:17 literally thou hast loved my soul out of the pit, i.e. lovingly delivered it; but read חָשַׂכְתָּ thou hast held back, kept, from ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Lo Ew Che Di, or חֲשׂךְ hold back (Imperative), so Du.

II. [חשׁק] verb denominative only

Pi`el furnish with fillets or rings, and

Pu`al passive;

Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular חִשַּׁק Exodus 38:28 (P), subject Bezaleel.

Pu`al Participle מְחֻשָּׁקִים כֶּסֶף Exodus 27:17; Exodus 38:17 finished with silver fillets, in agreement with הָעַמּוּדִים (both P).

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G138 (haireomai): to choose, prefer
• G1679 (elpizō): to hope, expect
• G1760 (enthumeomai): to ponder, consider
• G1937 (epithymeō): to desire, long for
• G4231 (pronoia): forethought, providence
• G4255 (prothymia): readiness, willingness

These Greek entries reflect similar themes of choice, desire, and emotional inclination, paralleling the Hebrew concept of חָשַׁק in various ways, particularly in the context of love, desire, and commitment.

Usage: • The verb חָשַׁק (chashaq) is used in the Hebrew Bible to express a strong attachment or affection, often implying a deep emotional bond or commitment. It can denote both physical and emotional clinging or joining, as well as a sense of delight or love. In some contexts, it is used elliptically to suggest deliverance or rescue.

Context: • The Hebrew verb חָשַׁק (chashaq) appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, illustrating a range of meanings centered around the concept of attachment and affection. In Deuteronomy 7:7, it is used to describe God's choice and love for Israel: "The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples." Here, חָשַׁק conveys a divine love and commitment that is not based on merit but on God's sovereign choice.
• In Genesis 34:8, חָשַׁק is used to describe Shechem's strong desire for Dinah, indicating a deep emotional and physical attraction: "But Hamor said to them, 'My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.'"
• The term also appears in contexts of deliverance, as seen in Psalm 91:14: "Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him." Here, the love (חָשַׁק) for God results in divine protection and deliverance.
• The verb is thus versatile, encompassing both human and divine love, physical and emotional attachment, and the resulting actions of protection and deliverance.

וְחִשַּׁ֥ק וְחָשַׁקְתָּ֣ וחשק וחשקת חָ֭שַׁק חָֽשְׁקָ֤ה חָשַׁ֤קְתָּ חָשַׁ֥ק חָשַׁ֧ק חָשַׁק֙ חשק חשקה חשקת מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים מחשקים chaShak chaShakta chasheKah ḥā·šaq ḥā·šaq·tā ḥā·šə·qāh ḥāšaq ḥāšaqtā ḥāšəqāh mə·ḥuš·šā·qîm mechushshaKim məḥuššāqîm vechashakTa vechishShak wə·ḥā·šaq·tā wə·ḥiš·šaq wəḥāšaqtā wəḥiššaqInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts