חָנַן
Properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor , bestow ; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does חָנַן (ḥānan) mean in the Bible?
חָנַן (ḥānan) is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor , bestow ; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)". properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i. Reveals God’s posture toward repentant people.
Meaning
Condescending benevolence from superior to inferior; foundational to covenant grace and intercessory prayer in Hebrew theology.
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition) BDB: be loathsome Usage: beseech, × fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, × very.
Why This Word Matters
Reveals God’s posture toward repentant people. Isaiah 30:18-26
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×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 7×
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action 2×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 1×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×
Poel 1×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 79 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.