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חֵן

𐤇𐤍

Chen

H2581 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חנן to show favor, be gracious, bestow kindness

Definition

Favor, grace, charm, or acceptance shown by a superior to an inferior; pleasantness or attractiveness that draws positive attention or elicits goodwill. In personal names, denotes the idea of being favored or graced. In most biblical contexts, חֵן refers to a quality that makes one pleasing or worthy of favor, often in social or relational settings. Occasionally used as a proper noun, signifying a person named for this quality.

Semantic Range

favor, graciousness, attractiveness, charm, acceptance, pleasantness, favor shown by a superior to an inferior, person named for this quality

Root / Etymology

From the root חנן (חָנַן), meaning 'to show favor, be gracious, have mercy.' The noun form חֵן derives from this verbal root and denotes the abstract quality or state of being favored or graced. The root conveys an act of bestowing favor or showing kindness, and the noun encapsulates the result or attribute realized from such acts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, חֵן commonly appears in relational contexts—such as an individual seeking favor or acceptance from a figure of higher status (e.g., before a king or deity). In patriarchal and monarchic narratives, it often denotes the social currency of attractiveness, pleasant appeal, or favorability (e.g., 'to find favor in one's eyes'). While English translations typically render it 'grace' or 'favor,' 'grace' in English has accumulated distinct theological overtones, which are largely absent in biblical contexts where חֵן is used. The term rarely implies a generalized or abstract virtue, but is usually relational in its orientation. As a proper name (Chen), it designates an individual who is considered 'favored.' Usage remains consistent through exilic and post-exilic texts, with occasional poetic extensions of 'charm' or 'pleasantness.' Distinct from related terms such as רַחוּם (compassionate), חֶסֶד (steadfast love/kindness), or טוֹב (goodness), which possess broader or differing connotations. In later tradition and translation, the rendering 'grace' became more influenced by theological developments, particularly in Christian contexts, but the underlying Hebrew retained its grounded, relational sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as חֵן; grace; Chen, a figurative name for an Israelite; Hen.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חנן (ḥ-n-n) — to show favor, be gracious, bestow kindness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1135 בֶּן־חָנָן he showed favor
H2433 חִין and beauty-of
H2580 חֵן favor
H2583 חָנָה Favored One (feminine)
H2584 חַנָּה Favored Woman

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2581-01 וּ/לְ/חֵ֖ן ulechen HC/R/Np and-to-Hen and to Favor 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2581-01 Zechariah 6:14 וּ/לְ/חֵ֖ן ulechen HC/R/Np and-to-Hen and to Favor
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