חָפֵץ
pleased with
Definition
The Hebrew noun חָפֵץ (châphêts) fundamentally means 'delight,' 'pleasure,' or 'desire.' It describes a state of being pleased with something or someone, often implying a strong, favorable inclination or will. In some contexts, it refers to God's good pleasure or favor, as in Nehemiah 1:11, where the speaker asks God to grant him favor before a king. In other passages, it denotes human desire or what one finds pleasing, such as the 'desire' of the righteous in Psalm 35:27. The word can also carry the sense of 'what is acceptable' or 'what one is willing to do,' as seen in 1 Kings 13:33.
Biblical Usage
חָפֵץ is used across various Old Testament books, including Psalms, Kings, and Chronicles. It frequently appears in contexts of divine-human relationship, describing either God's favorable disposition toward people (Nehemiah 1:11) or the proper human attitude toward God—seeking to do what pleases Him (1 Chronicles 28:9, Psalm 5:4). In Psalms, it often contrasts the desires of the righteous with those of the wicked (Psalm 34:12, 40:14). In narrative texts like 1 Kings, it can describe human will or intention, as in King Ahab's displeasure in 1 Kings 21:6.
Etymology
The noun חָפֵץ is derived from the verb חָפֵץ (H2654), which means 'to delight in,' 'to take pleasure in,' or 'to be willing.' The root conveys a sense of bending or inclining toward something with favor. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Aramaic, carry similar meanings of 'desire' or 'pleasure,' indicating a shared semantic field of positive volition and emotional attraction.
Semantic Range
חָפֵץ is theologically significant as it often describes the relational dynamics between God and humanity. It highlights that God is not indifferent but has a will and takes pleasure in His people (Psalm 35:27). For humans, it underscores that true faith involves aligning one's desires with God's, seeking His favor and delighting in His will (1 Chronicles 28:9). Understanding this Hebrew concept enriches reading by revealing that biblical 'delight' is an active, relational commitment, not just a fleeting emotion.
In ancient Israelite culture, 'delight' or 'pleasure' (חָפֵץ) was understood within a covenantal framework. A superior's 'favor' (like a king's) was crucial for protection and success, which shapes prayers like Nehemiah's. Desire was also tied to moral and communal responsibility; individual pleasure was not purely private but was to be directed toward God and the community's good, as reflected in the wisdom of Psalm 34:12.
רָצוֹן (râtsôn, H7522) — emphasizes goodwill or acceptance, often in the context of God's will being done. חֵפֶץ (chêphets, H2656) — a closely related noun meaning 'delight' or 'pleasure,' sometimes used more for the object of desire. אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — means 'love,' a broader, deeper emotional attachment, whereas חָפֵץ focuses more on favorable inclination or will.
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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