Hebrew · H2603, H7355 · unreviewed

חָנַן / רָחַם

Properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor , bestow ; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition) · to fondle ; by implication, to love , especially to compassionate

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

חָנַן H2603 properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor , bestow ; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
Pronunciation ḥānan
Condescending benevolence from superior to inferior; foundational to covenant grace and intercessory prayer in Hebrew theology.
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רָחַם H7355 to fondle ; by implication, to love , especially to compassionate
Pronunciation rāḥam
Physical tenderness toward the vulnerable grounds God's merciful love—compassion rooted in deep emotional attachment, not abstract duty.
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What does חָנַן / רָחַם (chanan / racham) mean in the Bible?

חָנַן · רָחַם is a Hebrew word meaning "to show favor, be gracious; to have compassion".

Full entry for חָנַן / רָחַם (H2603, H7355) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to show favor, be gracious; to have compassion
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 13×
Participle active Prov 14:31 · Prov 19:17 · Ps 37:21 · Ps 37:26 · Ps 109:12 · Ps 112:5
Imperfect Amos 5:15 · Deut 28:50 · Exod 33:19
Perfect Gen 33:5 · Lam 4:16
Infinitive absolute Isa 30:19
Jussive Ps 59:6
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others
Imperfect Job 9:15 · Job 19:16 · Ps 30:9 · Ps 142:2 · Job 8:5
Perfect 1Kgs 8:59 · 1Kgs 9:3
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action
Imperfect Isa 26:10 · Prov 21:10
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Perfect Jer 22:23
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action
Imperfect Prov 26:25
Poel
Imperfect Ps 102:15
Sources