The Difference Between חֵן (Chen) and חֵסֵד (Chesed)

 

What is the difference between חֵן and חֵסֵד in the HebrewBible?

In the Hebrew Bible, the terms חֵן (pronounced chen) and חֵסֵד (pronounced chesed) are distinct concepts, though both are often translated into English in ways that can obscure their nuances (e.g., as "grace," "favor," or "kindness"). Below, I’ll clarify their meanings, usage, and differences based on their biblical context and Hebrew lexicography.

חֵן (Chen)

• Meaning: Chen refers to favor, grace, or charm, often describing an unmerited positive disposition or approval from one party toward another. It can also imply beauty or pleasantness in a person or thing that evokes favor.
• Key Characteristics:
• Chen is often about receiving favor or approval, either from God or humans, without necessarily implying a covenantal or ongoing relationship.
• It emphasizes a quality that makes someone or something pleasing or attractive, sometimes in a subjective or aesthetic sense.
• It is not inherently tied to obligation or loyalty but is more situational, often describing a moment of kindness or acceptance.
• Biblical Examples:
• Genesis 6:8: "But Noah found favor (chen) in the eyes of the Lord." Here, chen indicates God’s gracious favor toward Noah, singling him out for salvation.
• Proverbs 31:30: "Charm (chen) is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting..." Here, chen refers to a pleasing quality, often associated with outward charm or grace.
• Exodus 33:12: Moses finds chen (favor) with God, indicating divine approval or kindness in a specific context.
• Lexical Insight: Chen often appears in the phrase "find favor in the eyes of" (e.g., matza chen b’einei), suggesting a relational dynamic where one party is pleased with another, often without an explicit reason.

חֵסֵד (Chesed)

• Meaning: Chesed is a richer, more complex term, often translated as loving-kindness, steadfast love, mercy, or covenant loyalty. It denotes a deep, enduring commitment to act with kindness, faithfulness, or mercy, often within a relational or covenantal framework.
• Key Characteristics:
• Chesed is frequently tied to covenant relationships, whether between God and His people or between humans (e.g., family, friends, or allies).
• It implies faithfulness, loyalty, and generosity, often going beyond what is required or expected.
• It is proactive and enduring, not merely situational, and often reflects God’s character or ideal human behavior in relationships.
• Biblical Examples:
• Exodus 34:6-7: God describes Himself as "abounding in chesed and faithfulness," highlighting His steadfast love as a core attribute.
• Psalm 136: Repeatedly declares, "His chesed endures forever," emphasizing the eternal, reliable nature of God’s love and mercy.
• Ruth 1:16-17: Ruth’s commitment to Naomi reflects chesed as loyal, sacrificial love within a familial bond.
• Lexical Insight: Chesed often appears in contexts of covenant (e.g., God’s covenant with Israel) or mutual obligations, and it can involve acts of kindness that exceed normal expectations (e.g., Boaz’s generosity to Ruth in Ruth 2:10-12).

Key Differences

• Relational Context:
• Chen is often situational, describing a moment of favor or approval, not necessarily tied to an ongoing relationship.
• Chesed implies a deeper, often covenantal or relational commitment, emphasizing loyalty and enduring kindness.
• Scope and Duration:
• Chen is typically momentary or specific, like receiving favor in a particular instance (e.g., Esther finding chen before the king in Esther 5:2).
• Chesed is long-lasting, often describing a consistent character trait or repeated acts of kindness (e.g., God’s enduring chesed toward Israel).
• Motive and Expectation:
• Chen can be unmerited and spontaneous, often tied to someone’s pleasing qualities or God’s gracious choice.
• Chesed often involves a sense of duty, loyalty, or covenantal obligation, though it may still be freely given.
• Theological Emphasis:
• Chen highlights God’s (or a person’s) favor or grace in specific situations, often without explicit reference to a broader relationship.
• Chesed is central to God’s character and covenant with Israel, reflecting His faithful love and mercy (e.g., in the Psalms and prophetic literature).

Overlap and Nuance

While chen and chesed can overlap (e.g., both may describe God’s kindness), chesed is broader and more relational, often carrying a sense of obligation or loyalty, whereas chen is narrower, focusing on favor or grace in a given moment. For example, someone might receive chen (favor) from God without a covenant, but chesed typically implies a deeper bond, as seen in God’s covenantal love for Israel.

Cultural and Linguistic Notes

• In Hebrew thought, both terms reflect positive attributes, but chesed is more central to theological discussions of God’s nature and human ethics.
• English translations (e.g., "grace" for chen or "mercy" for chesed) can blur distinctions, so consulting the Hebrew context is key.
• In post-biblical Jewish tradition, chesed became a cornerstone of ethical teaching, emphasizing acts of kindness and charity.

If you’d like specific examples analyzed further or a deeper dive into particular passages, let me know! I can also search for additional scholarly insights or discussions on X if you’re interested in real-time perspectives.

The Supremacy of Scripture, as Affirmed by the Church Fathers

The biggest divide in Christendom today is not about the primacy of Christ Jesus, or the role of the church in the world.

The biggest divide is what serves as the chief authority for informing us of the Truth of Jesus, the Gospel, the Truth.

The massive divide between the traditional denominations, like Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and the Evangelical or Protestant movements is the primacy of Scripture.

Catholic and Orthodox adherents routinely point to tradition and history as a seminal source of truth and authority for Christianity. They point to the elders, the church fathers, as well as Scripture, and assert that you need to maintain connection with the Church, the authority of the elders, the teachings of the Early Church Fathers in order to understand the Scriptures. They even posit that the Church came before the Bible, and therefore the authority of the Church is greater than Scripture.

However, this thinking is all wrong. This reasoning ignores revelation and truth, and ultimately places man's efforts above God's goodness. Morever, the very Church Fathers whom traditional denominations appeal to actually affirm the revelation that Scripture has Supremacy in revealing to us Jesus, The Gospel, and the full Truth of Christianity.

Here's a great summation, with references and quotes, provided by Bill Worthy:

Clearly, the doctrine of sola Scriptura was championed by Christian leaders long before the Reformation.

ECF on Supremacy of The Scriptures

Let the inspired Scripture, then, be our umpire, and the vote of truth will surely be given to those whose dogmas are found to agree with the Divine words. (Dogmatic Treatises, Book 12. On the Trinity, To Eustathius.)

Irenaeus of Lyons (d. 202)

We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith. (Against Heresies, 3.1.1)

Tertullian of Carthage (c. 160–235) [in defending the truth of the Trinity against the heretic Praxeas:]

It will be your duty, however, to adduce your proofs out of the Scriptures as plainly as we do, when we prove that He made His Word a Son to Himself. . . . All the Scriptures attest the clear existence of, and distinction in (the Persons of) the Trinity, and indeed furnish us with our Rule of faith. (Against Praxeas, 11)

Hippolytus (d. 235)

There is, brethren, one God, the knowledge of whom we gain from the Holy Scriptures, and from no other source. For just as a man if he wishes to be skilled in the wisdom of this world will find himself unable to get at it in any other way than by mastering the dogmas of philosophers, so all of us who wish to practice piety will be unable to learn its practice from any quarter than the oracles of God. Whatever things then the Holy Scriptures declare, at these let us look; and whatsoever things they teach these let us learn. (Against Heresies, 9)

Dionysius of Alexandria (ca. 265):

We did not evade objections, but we endeavored as far as possible to hold to and confirm the things which lay before us, and if the reason given satisfied us, we were not ashamed to change our opinions and agree with others; but on the contrary, conscientiously and sincerely, and with hearts laid open before God, we accepted whatever was established by the proofs and teachings of the Holy Scriptures. (Cited from Eusebius, Church History, 7.24.7–9)

Athanasius of Alexandria (296–373) [After outlining the books of the Bible, Athanasius wrote:]

These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ And He reproved the Jews, saying, ‘Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me.’ (Festal Letter 39, 6–7)

Cyril of Jerusalem (315–386) [After defending the doctrine of the Holy Spirit]:

We ought not to deliver even the most casual remark without the Holy Scriptures: nor be drawn aside by mere probabilities and the artifices of argument. Do not then believe me because I tell thee these things, unless thou receive from the Holy Scriptures the proof of what is set forth: for this salvation, which is of our faith, is not by ingenious reasonings, but by proof from the Holy Scriptures...Let us then speak nothing concerning the Holy Ghost but what is written; and if anything be not written, let us not busy ourselves about it. The Holy Ghost Himself spoke the Scriptures; He has also spoken concerning Himself as much as He pleased, or as much as we could receive. Be those things therefore spoken, which He has said; for whatsoever He has not said, we dare not say. (Catechetical Lectures, 4.17ff)

John Chrysostom (344–407)

Let us not therefore carry about the notions of the many, but examine into the facts. For how is it not absurd that in respect to money, indeed, we do not trust to others, but refer this to figures and calculation; but in calculating upon facts we are lightly drawn aside by the notions of others; and that too, though we possess an exact balance, and square and rule for all things, the declaration of the divine laws? Wherefore I exhort and entreat you all, disregard what this man and that man thinks about these things, and inquire from the Scriptures all these things; and having learnt what are the true riches, let us pursue after them that we may obtain also the eternal good things; which may we all obtain, through the grace and love towards men of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom, to the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory, might, and honor, now and ever, and world without end. Amen.” (Homily on 2 Corinthians, 13.4) 

His Words Are Life

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

"Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

"For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22)

Indeed, God's Word is our life, for Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-2), and He is our Life (Colossians 3:4).

I reflect on this year recognizing that I had not been reading and resting in God's Word, God's promises.

There were many great things which God has done and is still committed to doing for us.

Yet how would I have known? I had been out of God's word for so long, I had not diligently hearkened. Then I prayed openly to God, and I told Him: "Daddy, I want to hunger for your word again. I want to get back into the habit of reading your word again."

Then I was banned forever from one of the social media sites I had been using frequently. Just like that, my original, my back-up, and my third accounts were all disabled. There was nothing that I could do about it.

And you know? That was the best thing that had happened to me!

"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)

and also

"And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;" (Jeremiah 17:24)

God wants us to listen and keeping listening to His Word!

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)

There is so much to read, to share, to know about God's Word, and there is so much that God our loving Daddy wants us to receive:

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2)

Green pastures, verdant pastures speaks of God's Word, which continues to grow and offer us sustenance. He wants us to receive and keep receiving from Him:

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

As we enter the New Year, let us continue to read, receive, reflect, and believe on God's Word for all that He is, that He has, and that He is doing in our us, through us, and for us!

Happy New Year!