אֲרֶשֶׁת
a longing for
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֲרֶשֶׁת (ʼăresheth) refers to a deep, heartfelt desire or longing, specifically one that is expressed as a request or petition. It conveys the sense of a strong wish that is brought before someone, often in a context of seeking fulfillment. In its sole biblical occurrence in Psalm 21:2, it describes the king's 'request' or 'heart's desire' that God has granted. The word implies not just a casual want but an earnest petition that is aligned with God's will and power to fulfill.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 21:2. It appears in a royal psalm of thanksgiving, where King David celebrates that God has given him the 'desire of his heart' (לְבַב) and has not withheld the 'request of his lips' (שְׂפָתָיו). The context is a prayerful petition that has been graciously answered by the Lord, linking human longing with divine provision in a covenant relationship.
Etymology
אֲרֶשֶׁת derives from the root אָרַשׂ (ʼāras, H781), which in its verbal form can mean to betroth, engage, or pledge. From this core idea of laying claim or binding oneself to something, the noun developed the sense of a 'desire to possess' or a 'request' that seeks to secure an object or outcome. It shares a conceptual field with words for asking and petitioning.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant as it connects human petition with divine fulfillment. In Psalm 21:2, it illustrates that God not only hears prayers but delights in granting the sanctified desires of the heart, especially for His anointed leader. It enriches the understanding of prayer as presenting our deepest longings (אֲרֶשֶׁת) to a God who is able and willing to answer according to His purpose and our good.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's 'request' or 'heart's desire' often pertained to victory, longevity, or prosperity, which were seen as signs of divine favor. The granting of such a request by a deity confirmed the ruler's legitimacy and blessed status. Psalm 21 uses this concept to affirm Yahweh's unique support for the Davidic king, contrasting with pagan beliefs where gods might be capricious.
תַּאֲוָה (taʼăvâ, H8378) — a general term for desire, craving, or lust, often with a negative connotation. תְּשׁוּקָה (tᵉshûqâ, H8669) — a strong desire, longing, or urge, famously used in Genesis 3:16 and 4:7. שְׁאֵלָה (sheʼēlâ, H7592) — a more common and neutral term for a request, petition, or thing asked for.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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