Original Word: חָפֵץ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chaphets
Pronunciation: khaw-fates'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-fates')
KJV: X any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to incline to
2. (by implication) (literally but rarely) to bend
3. (figuratively) to be pleased with, desire

to be pleased with, desire

A primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire -- X any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would.

חָפֵץ verb delight in (compare Arabic be mindful of, attentive to, keep, protect, Aramaic whence eager, zealous, Arabic anger (excitement), enrage (Aramaic and Arabic of excited attention, Hebrew of delighted attention), Dl^{Pr 168} Nö^{ZMG 1886, 742}; Late Hebrew חֵפֶץ weakened to thing, see De^{Ec. Glossary}, Phoenician in proper name חפצבעל); —

Qal Perfect ׳ח Genesis 34:19 28t.; feminine הָפֵ֑צָה Isaiah 66:3?; 2masculine חָפַצְתָּ Deuteronomy 21:14 4t.; חָפָ֫צְנוּ Job 21:14, etc., + 14 t. Perfect; Imperfect יַחְמֹּץ Deuteronomy 25:7 7t.; יֶחְמָּ֑ץ Psalm 37:23; Psalm 147:10; plural יַחְמְּצוּ Isaiah 13:17; Jeremiah 6:10; יֶחְמָּ֑צוּ Psalm 68:31; יֶחְמָּצוּ֑ן Isaiah 58:2 (twice in verse) etc. + 9 t. Imperfect; Infinitive absolute חָפֹץ Ezekiel 18:23; on Participle חָפֵץ = adjective verb., see below; —

1 of men:

a. take pleasure in, delight in, with בְּ, a woman Genesis 34:19 (J), Deuteronomy 21:14; Esther 2:14; a man 1 Samuel 18:22; 1 Samuel 19:1; 2 Samuel 20:11; in matters and things 2 Samuel 24:3; Isaiah 13:17; Isaiah 66:3; Jeremiah 6:10; Psalm 109:17; Psalm 112:1; Psalm 119:35; Proverbs 18:2; Esther 6:6,7,9 (twice in verse); Esther 6:11; with accusative Psalm 68:31; Isaiah 58:2; Ecclesiastes 8:3; implicit object Psalm 73:25.

b. delight, desire, be pleased to do a thing, would do it Deuteronomy 25:7,8; 1 Kings 9:1; Esther 6:6; Ruth 3:13; Psalm 40:9; Job 9:3; Job 13:3; Job 21:14; Job 33:32; Isaiah 58:2; Jeremiah 42:22.

c. absolute עַד שֶׁתֶּחְמָּ֑ץ until it please (of love) Songs 2:7; Songs 3:5; Songs 8:4.

2 of God:

a. delight in, have pleasure in, with בְּ, persons Numbers 14:8 (J), 2 Samuel 15:26; 2 Samuel 22:20 = Psalm 18:20, 1 Kings 10:9 2Chronicles 9:8; Psalm 22:9; Psalm 41:12; Isaiah 62:4; not in the strength of a horse Psalm 147:10; in doing evil Malachi 2:17; in the death of the sinner Ezekiel 18:32; Ezekiel 33:11; but in mercy, justice, and righteousness Jeremiah 9:23; בחר באשׁר (לא) חפצתי Isaiah 56:4; Isaiah 65:12; Isaiah 66:4; not with (accusative) the blood of bullocks Isaiah 1:11; זבח (ים ׅ; Psalm 40:7; Psalm 51:18,21, or the death of the sinner Ezekiel 18:23 (twice in verse); but with חסד Hosea 6:6; Micah 7:18, אמת Psalm 51:8; with the way of a man Psalm 37:23; כל אשׁר חפץ Psalm 115:3; Psalm 135:6; Proverbs 21:1; אשׁר חפץ Isaiah 55:11; Jonah 1:14.

b. pleased to do a thing with infinitive Judges 13:23; 1 Samuel 2:25; Isaiah 53:10.

c. with imperfect subject (Ges^{§ 142} (3) c) חָפֵץ יגדיל תּורה ׳י Yahweh was pleased to magnify teaching Isaiah 42:21. — On Job 40:17 see חָפַץ.

[חָפַץ] verb bend down (Arabic lower, depress, as wings Qor 15:88) — only

Qal Imperfect יַחְמֹּץ זְנָבוֺ כְמוֺאֶֿרֶז Job 40:17; he bendeth down (extendeth down stiffly) his tail like a cedar, see Wetzst in De^{Job 526} Hi^{Hiob 299}.

Overview of Usage

חָפֵץ appears about seventy-five times across the Old Testament, expressing delight, pleasure, desire, willingness, or purpose. The contexts move from intimate personal longings (Deuteronomy 21:11–14) to the highest purposes of God (Isaiah 53:10). The term therefore bridges human emotion and divine volition, revealing what both God and people value, choose, and enjoy.

Distribution Across Scripture

• Torah – legal and relational matters (e.g., Exodus 21:8; Deuteronomy 25:7).
• Historical Books – God’s pleasure in or displeasure with individuals and sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Samuel 22:20).
• Psalms – a vocabulary of worship and personal devotion.
• Wisdom Literature – moral instruction and life priorities.
• Prophets – covenant indictment, promise of restoration, and Messianic prophecy.

Divine Delight in Persons

God’s pleasure in His people is a recurring theme. David celebrates rescue “because He delighted in me” (2 Samuel 22:20; Psalm 18:19). The Servant Songs heighten this intimacy: “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1). Zephaniah later echoes this covenant affection: “He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17, employing a cognate idea).

Divine Delight in Righteousness and Justice

The prophets repeatedly define what God wants:
• “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
• “I am the LORD... I delight in loving devotion, justice, and righteousness” (Jeremiah 9:24).

God’s values remain consistent; ritual without obedience never satisfies Him (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:16).

Divine Displeasure with Empty Ritual

חָפֵץ frequently negates God’s pleasure in mere ceremony: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings... as much as in obedience...?” (1 Samuel 15:22). This prophetic critique culminates in Isaiah 1:11 and Amos 5:22 (using synonyms), underscoring that moral covenant fidelity is the true object of divine pleasure.

God's Pleasure in Salvation and Mercy

Ezekiel confronts the exiles with the heart of God: “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?... Would I not prefer that he turn from his ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23; cf. 18:32; 33:11). Micah agrees: “He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion” (Micah 7:18). Judgment never delights Him; redemption does.

Messianic Applications

Isaiah 53:10 lays the foundation for New Testament soteriology: “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him... and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.” What God delights to accomplish through the Suffering Servant becomes the center of redemptive history (Matthew 3:17; Luke 3:22, with Greek εὐδοκέω mirroring חָפֵץ).

Human Delight in God and His Word

Psalm 1:2 sets the paradigm: “His delight is in the Law of the LORD.” The psalmist repeatedly models this joy (Psalm 40:8; 112:1; 119:35). Delight in God’s statutes is both a response to grace and a means of sanctification.

Human Desires and Personal Choices

חָפֵץ also exposes human motivations, for good or ill:
• Positive – Ruth 3:13 (Boaz) and Nehemiah 1:11 (servant praying for success).
• Neutral – marital or social preference (Deuteronomy 21:14; Esther 2:14).
• Negative – the fool “does not delight in understanding” (Proverbs 18:2), and those who “delight in mockery” incur judgment (Proverbs 1:22).

Wisdom and Moral Teaching

Proverbs employs חָפֵץ to contrast wise priorities with self-indulgence: “He who loves pleasure will become poor” (Proverbs 21:17). The fatherly discipline motif reassures the righteous: “For the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12).

Covenant and Legal Contexts

In Exodus 21:8 and Deuteronomy 25:7-8 the word governs freedom or guardianship, stressing volitional choice within covenant society. Such legislation portrays a God concerned that human delight align with justice.

Prophetic Oracles

Isaiah 62:4 promises Zion, “You will be called My Delight Is in Her,” reversing exile’s shame. Malachi 3:1 speaks of “the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight,” pointing to John the Baptist and ultimately Messiah.

Negative Usages Highlighting Unbelief

At times God “no longer delights” in His wayward people (Psalm 147:10 is contrastive; Jeremiah 22:28; Hosea 8:13). The loss of divine delight signals impending judgment and calls for repentance.

Theological Synthesis

1. Delight is inseparable from will; what God delights in He accomplishes.
2. Divine pleasure centers on covenant love, justice, righteousness, and salvation.
3. Human delight is sanctified when it mirrors God’s priorities, especially delight in His word and will.
4. The cross perfectly unites divine pleasure and human redemption (Isaiah 53:10 with Matthew 26:42).

Ministry Application

• Preaching: Emphasize that obedience, mercy, and justice are what God delights in, motivating ethical exhortation (Micah 6:8).
• Counseling: Guide believers to examine desires; align personal delight with Scripture (Psalm 1:2; Colossians 3:1-2).
• Worship: Foster services that pursue God’s pleasure, not mere formality (Psalm 51:17; John 4:24).
• Evangelism: Anchor the gospel invitation in God’s stated pleasure that sinners turn and live (Ezekiel 18:23).

Selected Key References for Study

Genesis 34:19; Exodus 21:8; Deuteronomy 21:11-14; 1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Samuel 22:20; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 147:11; Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 18:2; Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 53:10; Jeremiah 9:24; Ezekiel 18:23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 7:18; Zephaniah 3:17.

חָפֵץ thus reveals the heartbeat of covenant relationship: God delights in redeeming a people who, in turn, delight in Him.

אֶחְפָּֽץ׃ אֶחְפֹּץ֙ אחפץ אחפץ׃ הֶחָפֹ֤ץ החפץ חֲפַצְתֶּ֔ם חָ֥פֵֽץ חָפֵ֔ץ חָפֵ֖ץ חָפֵ֣ץ חָפֵ֤ץ חָפֵ֥ץ חָפֵ֧ץ חָפֵ֨ץ חָפֵֽצָה׃ חָפַ֔צְתִּי חָפַ֖צְתִּי חָפַ֖צְתָּ חָפַ֗צְתָּ חָפַ֣צְתָּ חָפַ֥צְתִּי חָפָ֑צְתִּי חָפָֽצְנוּ׃ חָפָֽצְתִּי׃ חפץ חפצה׃ חפצנו׃ חפצת חפצתי חפצתי׃ חפצתם יֶחְפָּ֑ץ יֶחְפָּֽץ׃ יֶחְפָּֽצוּ׃ יֶחְפָּצ֑וּן יֶחְפָּצֽוּן׃ יַ֭חְפֹּץ יַחְפְּצוּ־ יַחְפֹּ֖ץ יַחְפֹּ֣ץ יַחְפֹּ֥ץ יַחְפֹּ֧ץ יַחְפֹּץ֙ יחפץ יחפץ׃ יחפצו־ יחפצו׃ יחפצון יחפצון׃ שֶׁתֶּחְפָּֽץ׃ שתחפץ׃ תַּחְפֹּ֣ץ תַחְפֹּ֣ץ תחפץ ’eḥ·pāṣ ’eḥ·pōṣ ’eḥpāṣ ’eḥpōṣ chaFatzenu chaFatzeti chaFatzta chafatzTem chaFatzti chaFetz chaFetzah echPatz echPotz ḥā·p̄ā·ṣə·nū ḥā·p̄ā·ṣə·tî ḥā·p̄aṣ·tā ḥă·p̄aṣ·tem ḥā·p̄aṣ·tî ḥā·p̄ê·ṣāh ḥā·p̄êṣ ḥāp̄āṣənū ḥāp̄āṣətî ḥāp̄aṣtā ḥăp̄aṣtem ḥāp̄aṣtî ḥāp̄êṣ ḥāp̄êṣāh he·ḥā·p̄ōṣ hechaFotz heḥāp̄ōṣ šet·teḥ·pāṣ šetteḥpāṣ shettechPatz tachPotz taḥ·pōṣ ṯaḥ·pōṣ taḥpōṣ ṯaḥpōṣ yachpetzu yachPotz yaḥ·pə·ṣū- yaḥ·pōṣ yaḥpəṣū- yaḥpōṣ yechPatz yechPatzu yechpaTzun yeḥ·pā·ṣū yeḥ·pā·ṣūn yeḥ·pāṣ yeḥpāṣ yeḥpāṣū yeḥpāṣūnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts