Original Word: חָסָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chacah
Pronunciation: khaw-saw'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-saw')
KJV: have hope, make refuge, (put) trust
NASB: take refuge, seek refuge, taken refuge, takes refuge, has a refuge, seek shelter, sought refuge
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to flee for protection
2. (figuratively) to confide in

have hope, make refuge, put trust

A primitive root; to flee for protection (compare batach); figuratively, to confide in -- have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.

see HEBREW batach

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to seek refuge
NASB Translation
has a refuge (1), seek refuge (3), seek shelter (1), sought refuge (1), take refuge (25), taken refuge (3), takes refuge (3).

חָסָה verb (mostly in poetry and figurative) seek refuge (Arabic III. is set aside; see go aside, apart; shelter, protection; but ? = ס) —

Qal Perfect ׳ח Psalm 64:11; 3feminine singular חָסָ֫יָה Psalm 57:2, חָסִ֫יתִי Psalm 7:2 7t.; plural חָסוּ Psalm 37:40; Zephaniah 3:12, חָסָ֫יוּ Deuteronomy 32:37; Imperfect יֶחְסֶּה Psalm 34:9, תֶחְסֶּה Psalm 91:4, אֶחְסֶּה Psalm 57:2 (see Baer Psalm 34:9), אֶחֱסֶה Psalm 18:3 2t.; plural יֶחֱסוּ Isaiah 14:32, יֶחֱסָיוּן Psalm 36:8; Imperative חֲסוּ Judges 9:15; Infinitive חֲסוֺת Psalm 118:8 3t.; participle חוֺסֶה Isaiah 57:13, חֹסֶה Proverbs 14:32, חוֺסִים Psalm 17:7 3t.; חֹסְים Proverbs 30:5; 2 Samuel 22:31 (see Baer Proverbs 30:5), חוֺסֵי Psalm 2:12; Psalm 5:12, חֹסֵי Nahum 1:7; — seek refuge, with בְּצֵל ׃בְּ in the shadow of a tree Judges 9:15, בְּצֵל מצרים Isaiah 30:2; בָּהּ Isaiah 14:32 in Zion, in gods Deuteronomy 32:37 (poem), elsewhere in God 2 Samuel 22:3 = Psalm 18:3; Nahum 1:7; Psalm 2:12; Psalm 5:12; Psalm 7:2; Psalm 11:1; Psalm 16:1; Psalm 25:20; Psalm 31:2; Psalm 31:20; Psalm 34:9; Psalm 34:23; Psalm 37:40; Psalm 57:2; Psalm 64:11; Psalm 71:1; Psalm 118:8; Psalm 118:9; Psalm 141:8; Psalm 144:2, Isaiah 57:13; מגן הוא ל(כל ה)חוסים בו a shield is he to (all) who seek refuge in him 2 Samuel 22:31 = Psalm 18:31; Proverbs 30:5; ׳בְּ is probably to be supplied in thought at least: מושׁיע חוסים Psalm 17:7 saviour of those seeking refuge (in thee); חסה במותו צדיק Proverbs 14:32 a righteous man in his death seeketh refuge (in Yahweh), ׳בשׁם י Zephaniah 3:12, בצל כנפיךָ in the shadow of thy wings Psalm 36:8; Psalm 57:2; בסתר כנפיךָ Psalm 61:5, תחת כנפיו under his wings Psalm 91:4 = Ruth 2:12.

Summary of Usage

The verb חָסָה appears about thirty-seven times in the Old Testament, spanning Torah through the Prophets and Writings. Whether spoken by individuals, kings, or prophets, it consistently expresses a conscious movement toward God—or occasionally toward a God-given refuge—for protection, deliverance, or hope. The action is never passive; it is the deliberate choice of faith in the face of threat, guilt, or uncertainty.

Theological Emphasis: Refuge in Yahweh

1. Personal trust: “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice” (Psalm 5:11). The Psalmists make חָסָה the language of intimate reliance, contrasting human frailty with divine sufficiency.
2. Exclusive allegiance: By urging Israel to “take refuge in the LORD” (Psalm 118:8–9), Scripture dismisses earthly allies as inadequate saviors.
3. Moral safety: Proverbs pairs refuge with righteousness: “The righteous seeks refuge in his death” (see Proverbs 14:32, literal), implying eternal security for the upright.
4. Judicial shelter: Nahum 1:7 links refuge to God’s justice—He is a stronghold against oppressors while judging wickedness.

Covenantal and Personal Implications

The word surfaces at critical covenant moments. Ruth 2:12 blesses the Moabite convert: “May the LORD repay your work, and may you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” By trusting the God of Israel, Ruth enters the covenant community and ultimately the Messianic line. The verb thus marks the boundary between outsider and covenant partner.

Imagery of Wings and Sanctuary

Psalms frequently pair חָסָה with avian imagery: “Hide me in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 17:8; cf. 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 91:4). The wing motif evokes both the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat and a mother bird protecting her young, intertwining temple theology with maternal compassion. The sanctuary context implies that true refuge is found where God’s presence dwells.

Community and Corporate Refuge

While many texts are personal, Isaiah broadens the scope: “A king will reign in righteousness… each will be like a shelter from the wind” (Isaiah 32:1-2). Those transformed by divine rulership become secondary refuges, extending God’s protection to society. Likewise Joel 3:16 promises, “The LORD will be a refuge for His people,” affirming corporate security amid eschatological upheaval.

Implications for Ministry and Discipleship

1. Gospel proclamation invites sinners to flee judgment by taking refuge in Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of the motif (Hebrews 6:18).
2. Pastoral care must model a safe haven—reflecting God’s character—especially for the oppressed, bereaved, or fearful.
3. Prayer and worship should incorporate the language of refuge, teaching believers to translate anxiety into trust.

Messianic and Eschatological Overtones

Psalm 2:12 issues a royal command: “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry… Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.” The messianic focus reframes חָסָה as allegiance to the anointed King, anticipating New Testament calls to believe in the Lord Jesus. Second-temple Jews would read this against rising imperial threats, finding hope in the coming reign of the Messiah.

Historical Settings of Key Texts

• In Samuel and Kings, political fugitives use the term for asylum at an altar or city (1 Samuel 14:45; 1 Kings 1:50). Though occasionally misused for self-preservation, the narrative clarifies that only those aligned with God’s purposes truly find safety.
• During Hezekiah’s crisis, Isaiah condemns reliance on Egypt, urging Judah instead to “return and rest… in quietness and trust” (Isaiah 30:15).
• Post-exilic Psalms (e.g., 146:3) remind a vulnerable remnant that refuge is not in princes but in the covenant-keeping LORD.

Intertextual Connections

The refuge concept intersects with:

– Cities of refuge (Numbers 35), grounding the term in legal mercy.

– The Passover covering (Exodus 12), foreshadowing protective atonement.

– The New Testament “covering” of propitiation (Romans 3:25), where Christ becomes the mercy seat.

Practical Application

Believers facing spiritual warfare, societal pressure, or personal loss are called to appropriate חָסָה daily. Memorizing refuge texts, rehearsing God’s past faithfulness, and cultivating congregational solidarity enable the modern church to embody this ancient cry: “In You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed” (Psalm 57:1).

אֶֽחֱסֶ֨ה אֶֽחֱסֶה־ אֶחְסֶ֑ה אֶחֱסֶה־ אחסה אחסה־ הַחֹסִ֥ים הַחֹסִ֬ים החסים וְהַחוֹסֶ֥ה וְחָ֣סָה וְחָס֖וּ וְחֹסֶ֖ה וְלַחְס֖וֹת והחוסה וחסה וחסו ולחסות ח֥וֹסֵי ח֪וֹסֵי חֲס֣וּ חָ֝סִ֗יתִי חָ֥סוּ חָ֭סִיתִי חָסִ֑יתִי חָסִ֗יתִי חָסִ֥יתִי חָסָ֥יוּ חָסָ֪יָה חֹ֥סֵי חוֹסִ֑ים חוסי חוסים חסו חסי חסיה חסיו חסיתי יֶחֱס֖וּ יֶחֱסֶה־ יֶחֱסָיֽוּן׃ יחסה־ יחסו יחסיון׃ לַֽחֹסִ֥ים לַחֲס֥וֹת לַחֹסִ֣ים לחסות לחסים תֶּחְסֶ֑ה תחסה ’e·ḥĕ·seh ’e·ḥĕ·seh- ’eḥ·seh ’eḥĕseh ’eḥĕseh- ’eḥseh chaSayah chaSayu chaSiti chaSu Chosei choSim echeseh echSeh ha·ḥō·sîm ḥā·sā·yāh ḥā·sā·yū ḥā·sî·ṯî ḥă·sū ḥā·sū hachoSim haḥōsîm ḥāsāyāh ḥāsāyū ḥāsîṯî ḥăsū ḥāsū ḥō·sê ḥō·w·sê ḥō·w·sîm ḥōsê ḥōwsê ḥōwsîm la·ḥă·sō·wṯ la·ḥō·sîm lachaSot lachoSim laḥăsōwṯ laḥōsîm techSeh teḥ·seh teḥseh veChasah vechaSu vechoSeh vehachoSeh velachSot wə·ha·ḥō·w·seh wə·ḥā·sāh wə·ḥā·sū wə·ḥō·seh wə·laḥ·sō·wṯ wəhaḥōwseh wəḥāsāh wəḥāsū wəḥōseh wəlaḥsōwṯ ye·ḥĕ·sā·yūn ye·ḥĕ·seh- ye·ḥĕ·sū yechesaYun yecheseh yecheSu yeḥĕsāyūn yeḥĕseh- yeḥĕsūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts