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תְּחִנָּה

𐤕𐤇𐤍𐤄

tᵉchinnâh

H8467 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חנן to show favor, be gracious, have compassion

Definition

A heartfelt plea or petition for favor, typically directed toward a human or divine recipient, emphasizing the act of seeking mercy, compassion, or gracious consideration from one in a position of power. The term regularly carries the nuance of earnest supplication, particularly involving a request for leniency or deliverance from distress. In some contexts, it may denote the favor or gracious regard being sought or bestowed.

Semantic Range

supplication, heartfelt plea for mercy, entreaty, petition for grace, request for favor, an instance of seeking compassion

Root / Etymology

From the root חנן (ḥ-n-n), which at root means 'to show favor, be gracious, have compassion.' The noun תְּחִנָּה is a feminine demonstrative form expressing an act or instance of seeking favor or mercy, often through direct appeal or request. The word is thus derived from the basic concept of 'showing favor' but points specifically to the act or instance of petitioning for such favor.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, תְּחִנָּה is nearly always used to describe a personal or communal petition for mercy—whether directed toward YHWH or a human superior. Its usage is especially common in poetic or liturgical settings, such as psalms and prayers, where it conveys an existential urgency and recognition of the supplicant's dependent status. Notably, it is distinguished from תפלה (tefillah, 'prayer') by its specific focus on beseeching for grace, rather than the broader concept of prayer or worship. In later periods (e.g., Second Temple, Rabbinic literature), the word acquires a more institutionalized connotation within formal liturgies, but in biblical Hebrew it retains a predominantly personal, emotional character. Standard English translations vary—'supplication,' 'entreaty,' 'plea,' or 'petition'—but each only partially captures the emotional depth and sense of urgency found in תְּחִנָּה. The term is distinct from other Hebrew words for prayer (such as בקשה, 'request') in that it is rooted in the need for unmerited favor, rather than simply making a request. Usage does not refer specifically to religious identity or ritual: both Israelites and non-Israelites are depicted making תְּחִנָּה in narrative contexts when seeking mercy from superiors.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָנַן; graciousness; causatively, entreaty; favour, grace, supplication.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חנן (ḥ-n-n) — show favor, be gracious, have compassion

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

11 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8467-08 תְחִנָּתִ/י֙ techinati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my supplication my plea for favor 5
H8467-04 תְּחִנָּתָ֑/ם techinatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their supplication their mercy-plea 4
H8467-02 תְּחִנָּ֑ה techinah HNcfsa supplication plea for favor 4
H8467-09 תְּחִנָּת֖/וֹ techinato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his supplication his plea-for-favor 3
H8467-03 תְּחִנַּ֤ת techinat HNcfsc the supplication plea for favor of 3
H8467-06 תְּחִנַּתְ/כֶ֖ם techinatekhem HNcfsc/Sp2mp your plea your plea for favor 1
H8467-11 וְ/הַ/תְּחִנָּ֖ה vehatechinah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the supplication and the plea for favor 1
H8467-10 תְּחִנֹּ֣תֵי/הֶ֔ם techinoteyhem HNcfpc/Sp3mp their supplications their pleas for favor 1
H8467-05 תְּחִנָּתְ/ךָ֮ techinatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your supplication your plea for favor 1
H8467-07 תְחִנָּתֵ֨/נוּ֙ techinatenu HNcfsc/Sp1cp our supplication our plea for favor 1

Occurrences in Scripture

25 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8467-02 Joshua 11:20 תְּחִנָּ֑ה techinah HNcfsa mercy plea for favor
H8467-09 1 Kings 8:28 תְּחִנָּת֖/וֹ techinato HNcfsc/Sp3ms his plea his plea-for-favor
H8467-03 1 Kings 8:30 תְּחִנַּ֤ת techinat HNcfsc supplication-of plea for favor of
H8467-02 1 Kings 8:38 תְּחִנָּ֗ה techinah HNcfsa plea plea for favor
H8467-04 1 Kings 8:45 תְּחִנָּתָ֑/ם techinatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their supplication their mercy-plea
H8467-04 1 Kings 8:49 תְּחִנָּתָ֑/ם techinatam HNcfsc/Sp3mp their supplication their mercy-plea
H8467-03 1 Kings 8:52 תְּחִנַּ֣ת techinat HNcfsc the supplication plea for favor of
H8467-03 1 Kings 8:52 תְּחִנַּ֖ת techinat-2 HNcfsc the supplication plea for favor of
H8467-11 1 Kings 8:54 וְ/הַ/תְּחִנָּ֖ה vehatechinah HC/Td/Ncfsa and the supplication and the plea for favor
H8467-05 1 Kings 9:3 תְּחִנָּתְ/ךָ֮ techinatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your supplication your plea for favor
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