➽ The Meaning of Bethesda (House of Lovingkindness) in John Chapter 5 ▧

(A painting of a stream. Click for source.)

The Meaning of Bethesda in John Chapter 5

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John 5:2
"Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches."

According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Bethesda is made from two Hebrew words: bayith (#1004 in Strong's Hebrew section) and checed (#2617 in Strong's Hebrew section). 

Bayith means house.

Checed (kheh'-sed) is lovingkindness and many other things.

According to NAS Exhaustive Concordance, the Hebrew word checed (Strong’s #2617) includes lovingkindness, lovingkindnesses, unchanging love, devotion, favor, kindnesses, deeds of devotion, mercies, loyalty, and goodness in its definition. (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance includes pity as well.)

So, Bethesda Is a Word Meaning House of Lovingkindness. 

Abba God's Love for Us (in Hebrew Words) 🌐 Checed (Lovingkindness) (Psalm 36:7) (The Wings of God) (Love)

(The prodigal son is embraced by his father.
See Luke 15.
 Click for source.)

➢ Checed (kheh'-sed) in Psalm 36:7

Psalm 36:7 -- “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”

(Print off this and other articles 
about God's love in Hebrew and Greek words.)

The word lovingkindness is checed (kheh'-sed) in Hebrew. According to NAS Exhaustive Concordance, the Hebrew word checed (Strong’s #2617) includes lovingkindness, lovingkindnesses, unchanging love, devotion, favor, kindnesses, deeds of devotion, mercies, loyalty, and goodness in its definition. (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance includes pity as well.)

Many People Have a Wrong View of God Being Harsh or Distant When He Is Gracious, Kind, and Compassionate

Many People Have a Wrong View of God Being Harsh or Distant When He Is Gracious, Kind, and Compassionate

There are many people (including Christians) who view God the Father as a very harsh, strict, or aloof God. But, these beliefs are not biblical because God is perfect Love (1 John 4:16). And, Abba God is gracious, longsuffering (patiently enduring), and gentle in dealing with His children, as a loving Father.

(This is not what Jesus actually looked like,
but this painting by a young girl 
(a child prodigy)  may capture
 an idea of the love that Jesus has for us.
Click for source.)

Psalm 86:5 says: "For thou, LORD, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Exodus 34:6 says: "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"

Isaiah 41:10 says: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Some Christians (like I used to struggle with) struggle with feeling that they have to perform for God's love and acceptance or perform to receive God's blessings in their lives. If they fail to do something they believe God wanted them to do, they might feel upset with themselves. If we do wrong, we need to genuinely repent, and then rest and receive God's forgiveness. Along with that, we need to forgive ourselves and seek to know God as our loving Abba Father, which is who He is.

1 John 1 is a very good chapter to read and meditate on. Here is a portion of it, below.

1 John 1, and Walking in the Light,
 and in Fellowship with God