How to Do a Hebrew Word Study

Why Parallelism Matters in Word Studies

About 75% of the Hebrew Bible is written in poetry. But not poetry in the Western sense — no rhymes, no meter. Instead, Hebrew poetry thrives on parallelism: expressing the same idea in two or more different ways. This form of poetry was not merely aesthetic — it was functional, aiding oral memorization and interpretation.

But more importantly for our study, parallelism can help us understand uncertain Hebrew words — especially those that only appear once or rarely.

What is Parallelism?

Parallelism typically takes the form of:

• Synonymous parallels – saying the same thing twice in slightly different ways.
• Antithetic parallels – two opposing ideas.
• Chiastic parallels (chiasmus) – mirrored patterns, like A-B-B-A or A-B-C-C-B-A structures.

Let’s see a few clear examples of these forms of parallelisms:

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11)

Here, the word “righteous” is paralleled with the word “upright.”

This is synonymous parallelism.

For the arms of the wicked shall be broken; but the LORD upholds the righteous. (Psalm 37:17)

Here, the word “wicked” is paralleled with the word “righteous.”

This is Antithetic parallelism.

Isaiah 6:10

A. Make the heart of this people fat

&&B. And make their ears heavy

&&&&C. And shut their eyes

&&&&C1. Lest they see with their eyes

&&B1. And hear with their ears

A1. And understand with their heart, and return, and be healed.

This is Chiastic parallels, which emphasize relationships between ideas and reveal the core message hidden in the middle.

The Hebrew Bible is saturated with this literary style, and knowing how to spot it can uncover hidden meanings in a word or passage.

Case Study: Psalm 51:1 — Exploring Ḥesed through Hebrew Parallelism

Have mercy (ḥānan) upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness (ḥesed):
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies (raḥam) blot out my transgressions. (Psalm 51:1, KJV)

Psalm 51:1 presents a rich opportunity for studying the Hebrew word ḥesed (חֶסֶד) by examining how it is paired with two related terms: ḥānan (חָנַן) and raḥam (רָחַם). All three are often translated into English as "mercy," yet each carries distinct nuances rooted in ancient Hebrew culture and experience.

The Three Words and Their Cultural Context

These words are not arbitrary synonyms. They share a common thread of meaning and a shared visual root: all contain the Hebrew letter ḥet (ח) — a letter often associated with boundaries, enclosures, and protection. This connection is more than phonetic; it is thematic.

1. חָנַן (ḥānan) – “Have mercy”

• In the Hebrew: חָנֵּנִי (ḥannēnī) — “Be merciful to me.”
• While often translated as "gracious" or "merciful," the root ḥānan is etymologically linked to maḥaneh (מַחֲנֶה) — the Hebrew word for “camp.”
• In the ancient world, the camp was a place of security, sustenance, and communal love — a protected space set apart from the wilderness and danger.

Thus, to “ḥānan” someone is to bring them into the camp — to extend them favor, provision, and emotional shelter.

2. רָחַם (raḥam) – “Tender mercies”

• The related noun raḥamim (רַחֲמִים) — often translated as “compassions” or “tender mercies.”
• The related noun reḥem (רֶחֶם), meaning womb.
• Like the camp, the womb is a place of protection, nourishment, and love — a natural enclosure where life is sustained and nurtured.

To show “raḥam” is to extend that same motherly compassion — not just emotional affection, but tangible, embodied care.

3. חֶסֶד (ḥesed) – “Lovingkindness”

• Positioned between ḥānan and raḥam in the verse, ḥesed is framed by these two images: the camp and the womb.
• This central position in the poetic structure highlights its role as a synthesis of both ideas.
• ḥesed is a relational commitment that expresses itself in both action (ḥānan) and deep compassion (raḥam). It involves oyalty, care, and provision within a bond — often covenantal, but always relational.

As we've seen throughout this lesson, the Hebrew word ḥesed is far richer and more grounded than the abstract English rendering “mercy.” When viewed through the lens of its related terms — ḥānan (the protective camp) and raḥam (the nurturing womb) — ḥesed emerges as a deeply relational, concrete, and embodied concept. It speaks of loyal love expressed in real action: protection, provision, and steadfast care. Hopefully, you can now see that ḥesed is not merely a feeling or a vague sense of kindness, but a vivid picture of faithful, covenantal love — the kind that shelters, sustains, and endures.

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