Hesed describes a sense of love and loyalty that inspires merciful and compassionate behavior toward another person.
When God appeared to Moses to give the Law a second
time, He described Himself as “abounding in” or “filled with” hesed, which is translated “love and faithfulness,” “unfailing love,” “faithful love,” “steadfast love,” and “
loyal love,” depending on the Bible version (Exodus 34:6–7).
The core idea of this term communicates loyalty or faithfulness within a
relationship. Thus, hesed is closely related to God’
s covenant with His people, Israel. As it relates to the concept of love, hesed expresses God’s faithfulness to His people.