Hebrew · H2820, G5339 · unreviewed

חָשַׂךְ

To restrain or (reflex.) refrain ; by implication, to refuse , spare , preserve ; to observe · to spare

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

חָשַׂךְ H2820 to restrain or (reflex.) refrain ; by implication, to refuse , spare , preserve ; to observe
Pronunciation chasak
Restraint exercised with intention: withholding action (spare, refrain) or withholding judgment (punish, preserve).
Open lexicon entry →
φείδομαι G5339 to spare
Pronunciation pheídomai
Restraining oneself from inflicting deserved harm or punishment, often with mercy implied.
Open lexicon entry →

What does חָשַׂךְ (chasak) mean in the Bible?

חָשַׂךְ · φείδομαι is a Hebrew word meaning "to hold back or restrain".

Full entry for חָשַׂךְ (H2820, G5339) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to hold back or restrain
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 22×
Perfect 1Sam 25:39 · 2Kgs 5:20 · 2Sam 18:16 · Gen 39:9 · Isa 14:6 · Ps 78:50 · Ezra 9:13 · Gen 22:12 · Gen 22:16 · Jer 14:10 · Job 30:10 · Job 38:23 12×
Imperfect Job 16:5 · Job 33:18 · Prov 21:26 · Job 7:11 · Prov 24:11
Participle active Prov 13:24 · Prov 17:27
Jussive Isa 54:2 · Isa 58:1
Sequential imperfect Ps 19:14
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Imperfect Job 16:6 · Job 21:30
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 24 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Perfect 12 Imperfect 9 Participle 2 Imperative 1
Stem
Qal 22 Niphal 2
Mood
Indicative 12 Indicative/jussive 6 Jussive 2 Indicative/cohortative 1 Imperative 1

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources