Quick Answer: How to Say Mercy in Hebrew
Mercy in Hebrew:
How to Pronounce Chesed and Rachamim
Hebrew has two words for mercy, each with distinct meanings:
Chesed (חֶסֶד) - KHEH-sed
- חֶסֶד (chesed) - Sounds like "KHEH-sed"
- The "ch" is a guttural sound like the "ch" in "Bach" or "loch"
- The "e" is like the "e" in "bed"
- Stress is on the first syllable: KHEH-sed
Rachamim (רַחֲמִים) - rah-khah-MEEM
- רַחֲמִים (rachamim) - Sounds like "rah-khah-MEEM"
- The "ch" is a guttural sound (same as in chesed)
- The "a" is like "a" in "father"
- Stress is on the final syllable: rah-khah-MEEM
Practice Saying Both Words
Chesed: Try saying "KHEH-sed" - the guttural "ch" is key
Rachamim: Try saying "rah-khah-MEEM" - emphasize the final syllable
Tip: The guttural "ch" sound (ח) is made in the back of the throat, similar to clearing your throat gently.
What Do Chesed and Rachamim Mean?
Hebrew has two distinct words for mercy, each with rich meaning:
Chesed (חֶסֶד) - Lovingkindness
חֶסֶד (chesed) is one of the most important words in the Hebrew Bible. It's often translated as "mercy," "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant faithfulness." Chesed encompasses:
💝 Lovingkindness
God's loyal, faithful love toward His people
🤝 Covenant Faithfulness
Steadfast commitment to keep promises
❤️ Steadfast Love
Unfailing, loyal love that endures
🙏 Mercy
Kindness shown to those in need
Rachamim (רַחֲמִים) - Compassion
רַחֲמִים (rachamim) comes from the root ר.ח.ם (r.ch.m), which means "womb." This word emphasizes:
🤱 Motherly Compassion
Deep, tender compassion like a mother's love
💔 Pity
Feeling for those who are suffering
😢 Mercy
Compassionate response to human need
Key Insight: Chesed emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness and loyal love - it's the kind of love that keeps promises and remains steadfast. Rachamim emphasizes God's tender, motherly compassion - it's the kind of mercy that feels deeply for those who suffer. Both words reveal different aspects of God's mercy: chesed shows His faithfulness, while rachamim shows His tender heart.
How to Use Chesed and Rachamim
Both chesed and rachamim appear frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible. Here's how they're used:
1. God's Chesed (Lovingkindness)
Chesed is most often used to describe God's faithful, loyal love:
Psalm 136:
כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ
Ki le'olam chasdo
"For his steadfast love endures forever"
This phrase appears 26 times in Psalm 136, emphasizing that God's chesed is eternal and unending.
2. God's Rachamim (Compassion)
Rachamim describes God's tender, motherly compassion:
Psalm 103:13:
כְּרַחֵם אָב עַל בָּנִים רִחַם יְהוָה עַל יְרֵאָיו
Kerachem av al banim richam Adonai al yere'av
"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him"
God's rachamim is compared to a parent's tender compassion for their children.
3. Human Chesed
Chesed can also describe human kindness and loyalty:
Micah 6:8:
וְאַהֲבַת חֶסֶד
Ve'ahavat chesed
"And to love kindness"
God requires His people to show chesed - loyal, faithful love - to others.
Biblical Significance of Chesed and Rachamim
Chesed and rachamim reveal different aspects of God's mercy and love. Here are key biblical concepts:
Psalm 136 - His Chesed Endures Forever
כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ
Ki le'olam chasdo
"For his steadfast love endures forever"
This refrain appears 26 times in Psalm 136, emphasizing that God's chesed (lovingkindness) is eternal. Every act of God - creation, deliverance, provision - flows from His chesed.
Exodus 34:6-7 - God's Character
יְהוָה יְהוָה אֵל רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת
Adonai Adonai El rachum vechanun erech apayim verav chesed ve'emet
"The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness"
This is God's self-revelation of His character. He is "rachum" (compassionate, from rachamim) and "rav chesed" (abounding in chesed). Both aspects of mercy are central to who God is.
Lamentations 3:22-23 - New Mercies Every Morning
חַסְדֵי יְהוָה כִּי לֹא תָמְנוּ כִּי לֹא כָלוּ רַחֲמָיו
Chasdei Adonai ki lo tamnu ki lo chalu rachamav
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end"
Even in the darkest times, God's chesed (steadfast love) never fails, and His rachamim (mercies) are new every morning. Both words emphasize the unending nature of God's mercy.
Practical Tips for Understanding Chesed and Rachamim
How to Study
- Practice pronunciation: Master the guttural "ch" sound for both words - "KHEH-sed" and "rah-khah-MEEM"
- Understand the difference: Chesed emphasizes covenant faithfulness; rachamim emphasizes tender compassion
- Read Psalm 136: See how "his chesed endures forever" appears 26 times
- Study Exodus 34:6-7: This key passage reveals both aspects of God's mercy
- Compare usage: Notice when Scripture uses chesed vs. rachamim to understand the nuance
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