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חֲנַן

𐤇𐤍𐤍

chănan

H2604 verb

SILEX Entry

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

Definition

To show favor, to be gracious; as a verb in Aramaic, it generally denotes the act of displaying kindness or granting favor, often in response to a request. In causative stems, it means to entreat favor or seek mercy, usually through supplication or a plea.

Semantic Range

to be gracious, to show favor, to grant mercy, to entreat favor, to make a plea for mercy, to offer supplication

Root / Etymology

Aramaic חֲנַן is a cognate of the Hebrew verb חָנַן, both deriving from the Semitic root ח-נ-ן, which carries the core idea of showing favor, grace, or mercy. The Aramaic form functions similarly in meaning but is distinguished by its phonological features and use in post-exilic and later biblical texts. The derived forms in both Hebrew and Aramaic often appear in parallel prayers for mercy or requests for divine or royal benevolence.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably Daniel and Ezra), חֲנַן is used primarily to express appeal to a superior—whether deity or monarch—for acts of favor or mercy. Its usage aligns closely with the Hebrew חָנַן but is distinct to the Aramaic portions, reflecting the linguistic shift during the exilic and post-exilic periods. The verb typically appears in legal, court, or liturgical settings, focusing on interpersonal relationships marked by hierarchy (the supplicant and the benefactor). English translations such as 'make supplication', 'entreat', or 'show mercy' capture the basic sense, but may obscure the reciprocity and social expectation embedded in Ancient Near Eastern concepts of favor. The Aramaic term should be distinguished from other verbs denoting pleading or petition, which do not always carry the positive expectation of benevolent response implied by חֲנַן. The concept developed a significant role in later Judean and diaspora piety, influenced by the broader shift from Hebrew to Aramaic as a vernacular.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to חָנַן; to favor or (causatively) to entreat; shew mercy, make supplication.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חנן (ḥ-n-n) — to show favor, to be gracious, to grant 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
H2604-02 וּ/מִתְחַנַּ֖ן umitechanan AC/VMrmsa and-begging-mercy one pleading for mercy 1
H2604-01 בְּ/מִחַ֣ן bemichan AR/Vqc by mercy by showing favor 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2604-01 Daniel 4:24 בְּ/מִחַ֣ן bemichan AR/Vqc by mercy by showing favor
H2604-02 Daniel 6:12 וּ/מִתְחַנַּ֖ן umitechanan AC/VMrmsa and-begging-mercy one pleading for mercy
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