kindness
che.sed is active, lasting benevolence—shown in care, loyalty, preservation, and compassion toward others.
The word most often denotes benevolence attributed to God, portrayed as enduring, compassionate, and joined with covenantal commitment. It also describes kindness shown between people through protection, comfort, provision, remembrance, and loyal treatment; in a few passages it is a human quality or set of deeds that can be recalled, evaluated, or compared to something fleeting.
Senses in use
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Enduring divine benevolence and compassion · dominant
In 1 Chronicles 16:34, the singular construct form occurs in the thanksgiving confession that the LORD is good and that his benevolence endures forever. In Exodus 15:13, the construct form describes the LORD leading the redeemed people, while Numbers 14:19 places pardon for the people's iniquity in relation to its greatness. Isaiah 54:10 presents it as not departing despite shaken mountains and hills.
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Kind treatment and loyal action toward people · common
In 2 Samuel 9:7, the singular absolute form is attached to David's promise to restore Saul's land to Jonathan's son and provide him a continuing place at the table. In 1 Kings 2:7, it is shown by bringing Barzillai's sons among those who eat at the king's table, and in 2 Samuel 10:2 it concerns David's intention to comfort Hanun after his father's death. The construct forms in 1 Samuel 20:14 and 1 Samuel 20:15 frame such treatment as something Jonathan asks David not to cut off from his house.
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Human kindness or deeds remembered and assessed · occasional
In Hosea 6:4, the construct form describes Ephraim's and Judah's kindness as like a morning cloud and departing dew. In Jeremiah 2:2, it is remembered as belonging to Jerusalem's youth and betrothal period. The plural construct forms in 2 Chronicles 32:32 and 2 Chronicles 35:26 refer to Hezekiah's kindnesses and Josiah's faithful deeds as matters recorded in accounts.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “kindness” and “steadfast love,” especially in praise and divine promises; it also uses “mercy,” “faithful deeds,” and “great kindness” in particular clauses. Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.