What is the real meaning of the Hebrew word 'hesed' in the Bible?

     Chesed is complicated. It is more than lovingkindness that is often used to translate chesed. The term implies four actions that are interrelated.

     First it is benevolence or kindness toward someone within the context of relationship. It must be from the heart. Second, one one has experienced it, one now has an obligation to reciprocity. Third, it assumes a pay it forward attitude whereby I am obligated to pass chesed to someone else. Fourth, chesed is relational. It is the attitudinal and active posture of community. It is not isolated to the individual as lovingkindness might imply. Chesed cannot exist outside of community. Chesed almost defines Matthew 5:3–10 in that it the glue to a covenant relationship in a collective identity.

     This is why it is difficult to define Chesed in one English word.