   | חסד | hhesed |
This Hebrew word is usually translated as “mercy” or “kindness.” It is derived from the root חסד (Hh.S.D, Strong’s #2616), which is usually translated as “to be merciful” or “to be kind.” However, these abstract English terms do not convey the more concrete meaning of the original Hebrew. A related word that will help in understanding this concrete meaning is the noun החיסד (hhasiydah, Strong’s #2624), meaning a “stork.” The stork’s curved neck provides the clue, which is the “bowing” of the head, which one would do when showing respect, kindness or mercy.