Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary
חסה
The verb חסה (hasa) generally means to take or seek refuge. It's used in the down to earth context of seeking refuge from a storm (Isaiah 4:6, Job 34:8), but more often in seeking refuge with a greater power (Egypt — Isaiah 30:2) gods (Deuteronomy 32:37) or God (Psalm 118:8). Men find refuge in God (Psalm 18:30), under God's wings (Psalm 91:4), and in the shadow of God's wings (Psalm 36:7). Another Hebrew verb that expresses trust is בטח (batah).
The derivatives of our verb חסה (hasa) are:
- The feminine noun חסות (hasut), meaning refuge of shelter. This noun is used in Isaiah 30:3 only.
- The masculine noun מחסה (mahseh), meaning a place of refuge or shelter (Isaiah 25:4, Psalm 14:6, Proverbs 14:26).