by Mark Leuchter

While Ḥesed has different meanings for different situations, here are many instructive examples to help clarify the power of this ancient word that remains useful for contemporary preachers, congregations, and anyone seeking to express deeper relationships with God and one another.

by Douglas S. Stivison

Many Christians believe that Ḥesed is the unconditional love of God despite whatever failings people may have. However, some believe that ḥesed may be part of a covenantal relationship where fulfilling binding pledges is necessary before a covenant is confirmed.

by Brad Embry

While notoriously difficult to translate, ḥesed is often defined as loving kindness or steadfast love; it is also rendered in terms of power and strength as an act of God to deliver the believer from an enemy. It is a word for all seasons for many reasons.

by Jo David

Written by a Rabbi for non-Jewish readers, this piece offers clear explanations of various Jewish religious rites and occasions that deal with the concept of Ḥesed; this is an excellent opportunity for Christian clergy to gain insight into the religion that Jesus followed.

by Åke Viberg

Here Jeremiah is the one to deliver a particular understanding of ḥesed, as expressed in chapters 18 and 19 with the image of a potter who takes a lump of clay and fashions it into whatever shape the potter wishes; if the clay did not turn out as intended, the potter could reshape it with loving attention.

by Phil Ruge-Jones

The author encourages us to communicate with our listeners not only by preaching at them but by drawing them into the Gospel readings through a “you are there” technique of Biblical story telling. How better to demonstrate the Ḥesed of Jesus than a memorable encounter with him?

by Yongbom Lee

Since Paul’s understanding of human-divine relationships was seated in the belief that God’s intention for humanity was positive, sustained, and generous, it is not difficult to see how Ḥesed could have been, for the Apostle, the binding confirmation of the reality of God’s unending love for creation.

by Peter Lau

Here is a detailed analysis of the relationships among Ruth, Naomi, Boaz, and God as reported in the Book of Ruth. The Ḥesed in Ruth springs from a generous spirit whose self sacrifice helps those in need without regard for one’s own peril.

by John W. Herbst

The Old Testament Books of Judges and Ruth are set in the same time period—Israel prior to the establishment of the monarchy—but hospitality clearly “works” in one but does not fare so well in the other. This intriguing article explores the reasons why.

by Matilda G. Chase

Travel in the ancient mid-east was treacherous and so when strange travelers showed up in a community, they were welcomed, given food, water, and foot washing as a way of providing hospitality, and also for protection of the host. Once travelers were offered food and rest, they were less likely to attack or steal from the host’s community.

by Farrell Graves

Both American and Japanese hospitality assume that there is a distance that must be bridged, the only difference being from which shore the bridge is to be built. In Christian hospitality, there is nothing to bridge since it starts with mutual identification.

by Christopher Carter

Our understanding of hospitality is rooted within the experiences of our childhood home, our respective ethnic and geographic cultures…guided by our religious and/or philosophical perspectives.