H2617: hesed: mercy, kindness

ḥesed (#2617) comes from a root word meaning kindness, and is used for the ways that kindness is expressed, mainly mercy, but also kindness, lovingkindness, and goodness.

The KJV, based on the most numerous manuscripts, shows ḥesed 248 times. 62% of the time it is translated mercy (or a variant of mercy), 30% kindness (or a variant), 5% goodness, and the other 3% pity, etc.

The NASB, based on the oldest manuscripts, shows ḥesed 246 times. 91% of the time the word is translated as "kindness", or a variant of that word and idea. 3% of the cases are translated devotion, 3% loyalty or loyal deeds, 2% mercy. Other meanings, unchanging love, faithfulness, favor, good, loveliness, righteousness, are each translated that way less than 1% of the time.

Giving preference to the oldest manuscripts, those closest in time to the originals, the idea of kindness is by far the most used in the NASB and the second-most used in the KJV. Therefore, unless a verse’s context indicates one of the other meanings, the most accurate interpretation for ḥesed is to understand the word to be referring to an aspect of God’s kindness, or kindheartedness, or kind actions which, of course, includes His mercy.

The Septuagint translates this word with eleeo (Strongs #1653), meaning to show mercy, pity, or compassion.