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חַנּוּן

𐤇𐤍𐤅𐤍

channûwn

H2587 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root חנן to show favor, to be gracious, to show mercy

Definition

Adjective denoting one who is characterized by being gracious or showing favor; often describing someone who is compassionate, kind, or merciful. The term is frequently used to describe the divine disposition to show favor or mercy, as well as the disposition of humans who emulate such qualities. The semantic range includes notions of kindness, favor-giving, compassion, and mercy, particularly as expressed through actions or words.

Semantic Range

gracious, showing favor, merciful, compassionate, ready to forgive, disposed to bestow benefit

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root חנן (ḥ-n-n), which means 'to be gracious, show favor, bestow favor.' The adjective חַנּוּן (channûn) is a descriptive form signifying 'gracious' or 'full of favor.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

חַנּוּן appears primarily as an attributive adjective for the deity in the Hebrew Bible—especially in formulaic descriptions such as ״חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם״ ('gracious and merciful') found in Exodus 34:6 and similar texts. Its usage is concentrated in poetic or heightened prose, most often in descriptions of the character of YHWH during the monarchic and exilic periods. The term overlaps semantically with רַחוּם 'compassionate,' but while רַחוּם emphasizes emotional compassion, חַנּוּן gives prominence to the public act or quality of showing favor or grace. English translations often render חַנּוּן as 'gracious,' but this does not always capture the active and relational aspect of the word in biblical contexts, where it frequently denotes a readiness to forgive or to bestow benefit beyond what is owed or deserved. In post-exilic and later Jewish tradition (rabbinic), the word retains these connotations but is increasingly seen as an epithet highlighting God's merciful governance of the world. The use of the English term 'gracious' is narrower and at times less relational than the Hebrew term's full range.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָנַן; gracious; gracious.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1135 בֶּן־חָנָן he showed favor
H2433 חִין and beauty-of
H2580 חֵן favor
H2581 חֵן and to Favor
H2583 חָנָה Favored One (feminine)

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2587-01 חַנּ֥וּן chanun HAamsa gracious gracious one 10
H2587-02 וְ/חַנּ֑וּן vechanun HC/Aamsa and gracious and gracious 3

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2587-01 Exodus 22:26 חַנּ֥וּן chanun HAamsa gracious gracious one
H2587-02 Exodus 34:6 וְ/חַנּ֑וּן vechanun HC/Aamsa and gracious and gracious
H2587-01 Joel 2:13 חַנּ֤וּן chanun HAamsa gracious gracious one
H2587-01 Jonah 4:2 חַנּ֣וּן chanun HAamsa gracious gracious one
H2587-02 Psalms 86:15 וְ/חַנּ֑וּן vechanun HC/Aamsa and gracious and gracious
H2587-02 Psalms 103:8 וְ/חַנּ֣וּן vechanun HC/Aamsa and gracious and gracious
H2587-01 Psalms 111:4 חַנּ֖וּן chanun HAamsa gracious gracious one
H2587-01 Psalms 112:4 חַנּ֖וּן chanun HAamsa gracious gracious one
H2587-01 Psalms 116:5 חַנּ֣וּן chanun HAamsa Gracious gracious one
H2587-01 Psalms 145:8 חַנּ֣וּן chanun HAamsa gracious gracious one
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