Original Word: חֶסְרוֹן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: checrown
Pronunciation: kheh-srone'
Phonetic Spelling: (khes-rone')
KJV: wanting
NASB: what is lacking
Word Origin: [from H2637 (חָסֵר - lacking)]

1. deficiency

wanting

From chacer; deficiency -- wanting.

see HEBREW chacer

Word Origin
from chaser
Definition
a thing lacking, deficiency
NASB Translation
what is lacking (1).

חֶסְרוֺן noun masculine thing lacking, deficiency (Lag^{BN 198}) — only לֹאיֿוּכַל לְהִמָּנוֺת ׳ח Ecclesiastes 1:15 what is lacking cannot be counted.

Usage in Scripture

The noun חֶסְרוֹן (chesron) appears a single time in the Old Testament, at Ecclesiastes 1:15. The Preacher declares, “What is crooked cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted”. In its immediate context, chesron conveys “deficiency” or “missing measure,” underscoring the preacher’s theme that human wisdom, labor, and evaluation cannot fully remedy the deep-seated brokenness of life “under the sun.”

Literary Context in Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes confronts the seeming futility of human pursuits within a fallen world. By pairing “crooked” with “lacking,” 1:15 exposes two facets of human limitation: moral distortion that cannot be self-rectified (crooked), and quantitative shortfall that cannot be self-supplied (lacking). Chesron therefore functions rhetorically to show the reader that both qualitative and quantitative solutions elude human control. The Preacher’s observation sets up the recurring refrain that ultimate purpose and satisfaction are found only when one remembers the Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1) and fears God (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Theological Significance of Lack

1. Human Insufficiency: Chesron epitomizes the insufficiency that pervades fallen humanity. Scripture repeatedly affirms that outside of divine provision humanity is in a state of want (compare Psalm 23:1; Proverbs 13:25; Isaiah 40:30). Chesron crystallizes that reality in a single term.
2. Dependence on Divine Provision: The acknowledgment of lack drives believers to seek God’s sufficiency. In Ecclesiastes itself, every legitimate enjoyment is described as “the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:13; 5:19).
3. Eschatological Hope: The New Testament answers the dilemma of chesron by presenting Jesus Christ as the One who “is able to save to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25) and supply “every need according to His riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19). Where chesron highlights lack, Christ brings fullness (John 10:10; Colossians 2:9-10).

Historical and Ministry Implications

• Preaching and Teaching: Chesron reminds preachers to expose the inadequacy of self-reliance while pointing listeners to the sufficiency found in Christ alone.
• Pastoral Counseling: Many counselees experience a sense of incompleteness. Ecclesiastes 1:15 validates that feeling yet directs the shepherd of souls to guide them toward the One who can “restore” what is lacking (1 Peter 5:10).
• Discipleship and Stewardship: Recognizing chesron cautions believers against measuring life solely by what can be counted. It fosters contentment in God’s provision and motivates stewardship that depends upon divine grace rather than human calculation.

Christological Fulfillment

Chesron’s lone appearance serves as a subtle pointer to humanity’s comprehensive need that only Christ can meet. Whereas “what is lacking cannot be counted,” in Christ “you have been made complete” (Colossians 2:10). The term anticipates the gospel reality that God supplies what humanity cannot manufacture—righteousness, restoration, and eternal life.

Summary

Though rare, חֶסְרוֹן carries weighty theological freight. It encapsulates the existential deficiency of life apart from God, exposes the limits of human endeavor, and propels the reader toward the divine remedy ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ.

וְחֶסְר֖וֹן וחסרון vechesRon wə·ḥes·rō·wn wəḥesrōwnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts