Inexpressible : Hesed And The Mystery Of Gods Loving Kindness

Preface: The Untranslatable Defining The Inexpressible
Introduction: A Word On The Meaning Of Words

Part I. The God Of Hesed
1. Opening The Door
2. The Definitive Encounter
3. Slow To Anger
4. Like No Other God
5. An Everlasting Refrain
6. A Prayer Of Honest Rage

Part II. The Objects Of Hesed
7. When Dinah Held My Hand
8. The Heseds Of David
9. Ethan: “I Will Sing”
10. Moses: “In The Morning”
11. Jeremiah: “I Am Hesed”
12. Hosea: A Novel Of Hesed

Part III. Hesed Finally Defined
13. Hesed And Truth
14. On Jesus’ Lips
15. How To Amaze Jesus
16. The One Who Showed Hesed
17. Paul And The Path To Redemption

Part IV. An Instinct For Hesed
18. Here, Rabbi, Take My Seat
19. Hesed In Post-AD 70 Judaism
20. Gemilut Hesed And Tikkun Olam

Conclusion: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: The Monumental Nature Of Kindness
Afterword
Acknowledgments
Appendix A: Occurrences Of Hesed In Scripture
Appendix B: Comparison Of Translations
Appendix C: A Vocabulary Of Associated Words
Appendix D: For Further Study
Notes
Bibliography
Scripture Index

Additional Info
God’s identity is beyond what we could ever fully express in human words. But Scripture uses one particular word to describe the distinctiveness of God’s character: the Hebrew word hesed.

Hesed is a concept so rich in meaning that it doesn’t translate well into any single English word or phrase. Michael Card unpacks the many dimensions of hesed, often expressed as lovingkindness, covenant faithfulness, or steadfast love. He explores how hesed is used in the Old Testament to reveal God’s character and how he relates to his people. Ultimately, the fullness of hesed is embodied in the incarnation of Jesus.

As we follow our God of hesed, we ourselves are transformed to live out the way of hesed, marked by compassion, mercy, and faithfulness. Discover what it means to be people of an everlasting love beyond words.