People who read Hebrew, I need help with a word.?

Question

חסד
Transliteration: Checed (in case you'r browser doesn't display Hebrew)

I think it is spelled Dalet Samech Ches

This word is driving me crazy! Can anybody help me out with it? It looks like it has two almost opposing meanings, depending on the context.

Checed is translated "mercy" most places I read it, but Levitical law says the following:
"And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it [is] a wicked thing (דסח, (I think that will turn out right))." This obviously isn't saying that looking at my naked sister is an act of mercy. How do I reconcile these two?

Answer 1

חסד is pronounced "chesed" and spelled Chet, Samech, Dalet (remember: Hebrew is written from right to left).

It means:
1) goodness; kindness; charity
2) favor; grace
3) mercy

Answer 2

chesed means kindness and it is spelled chet samech daled as opposed to daled samech chet, hebrew is read from right to left.
for example, you could use chesed in the context: an act of chesed
i hope that clears things up

Answer 3

Don't forget that Hebrew is written from right to left - sorry - just seen that you know that.

The word means: kindness, benevolence ; goodness, charity, grace ; (flowery) favor, grace.

Hope that helps. JJ

Answer 4

Like they said, you started reading from the wrong side.... ;)