Steadfast love

God's loyal, covenant-keeping, never-giving-up love — the Hebrew word 'hesed'

lightbulbHebrew: chesed. Loyal, covenant-keeping, never-gives-up love. God's signature attribute

Definition

The Hebrew word 'hesed' is one of the most important words in the OT, appearing over 240 times. It combines loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, and mercy into one concept. It's the love that stays when it has every reason to leave. God's hesed toward Israel defined the covenant relationship — even when they were unfaithful, He remained loyal. Psalm 136 repeats 'His steadfast love endures forever' 26 times. It's not just emotion — it's committed, covenant-keeping action.

Used In22 mentions across 12 books

1 chronicles

The Line That Holds Everything Together

1 Chronicles 16:34-36

Steadfast love is the thesis of the entire song — introduced here at the climax as the one truth that underlies everything else David has sung about God's power, faithfulness, and presence.

2 chronicles

The Final Plea

2 Chronicles 6:40-42

Steadfast love is Solomon's final appeal — after all the theology and intercession, he rests everything on God's hesed, his loyal covenant-keeping love for David that cannot be exhausted.

2 samuel

The God Who Lives

2 Samuel 22:47-51

Steadfast love (hesed) is the word David uses to describe God's covenant faithfulness — the never-breaking loyalty that extends not just to David personally but forward through his offspring forever.

exodus

Who Is Like You?

Exodus 15:11-13

Steadfast love appears here as the theological anchor of the entire rescue — the Hebrew word hesed is introduced to explain that God's deliverance was not earned but driven by his loyal, covenant-bound commitment to his people.

No Rivals

Exodus 20:3-6

Steadfast love appears here in the striking numerical contrast God himself draws — consequences reach three or four generations, but his covenant loyalty extends to a thousand, showing mercy vastly outweighs judgment.