ḥesed’s notion of “deliverance” comes to the fore in the relationship when one party is totally hopeless and entirely dependent on the other to exhibit the responsibility the stronger party publicly assumed when the relationship was entered. The superior party, however, is absolutely free not to respond to the weaker’s appeal, and for that reason the word also connotes “mercy,” “grace,” and “kindness.” Should one fail, however, to bring relief, the honorable badge of proclaiming him as one characterized