Lexical Summary channun: Gracious, merciful Original Word: חַנּוּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gracious From chanan; gracious -- gracious. see HEBREW chanan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chanan Definition gracious NASB Translation gracious (13). Brown-Driver-Briggs חַנּוּן adjective gracious, only used as an attribute of God, as hearing the cry of the vexed debtor Exodus 22:26 (covenant code), "" מְרַחֵם Psalm 116:5; elsewhere in the earlier phrase רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן Exodus 34:6 (JE) = Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8, or the later חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם2Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17,31; Psalm 111:4; Psalm 112:4; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2. Topical Lexicon Meaning in Context חַנּוּן (chanun) denotes a disposition of generous, compassionate favor. It is never used of casual kindness; it speaks of heartfelt, covenant-loyal mercy that moves toward the needy and undeserving. Unlike abstract philosophical notions of benevolence, חַנּוּן always functions within concrete relationships, foremost between the Lord and His people, and secondarily among His people toward one another. Distribution of Usage The adjective appears thirteen times, spanning Torah, Historical Books, Psalms, and Prophets. Two major patterns emerge: 1. Descriptions of the Lord’s immutable character (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). Divine Character Revealed Exodus 34:6 is programmatic: “Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: ‘The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.’” The term stands alongside covenant love (חֶסֶד) and faithfulness (אֱמֶת), framing grace as an essential attribute, not an occasional mood. Every subsequent biblical use echoes this foundational revelation. Grace and Covenant History When Israel rebelled with the golden calf, the Lord’s self-disclosure as חַנּוּן secured the renewal of the covenant. Centuries later, after Assyrian devastation, Hezekiah’s couriers encouraged the Northern tribes, “For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate…” (2 Chronicles 30:9). The chronicler cites the attribute as grounds for national restoration. Likewise, the post-exilic assembly confesses, “But in Your great compassion You did not put an end to them… for You are a gracious and merciful God” (Nehemiah 9:31). חַנּוּן thus anchors hope through every phase of redemptive history. Psalmic Theology of חַנּוּן The Psalms translate doctrine into devotion: Grace is therefore both transcendent (God’s character) and immanent (God reproduced in His saints). Prophetic Call to Repentance Joel 2:13 admonishes, “Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate…” Jonah 4:2 attests that even Nineveh can trust this truth. The prophets leverage חַנּוּן to dismantle presumption and to encourage authentic turning to God. The attribute never excuses sin yet always promises mercy to the contrite. Christological Trajectory While חַנּוּן is an Old Testament term, its fullness is unveiled in Jesus Christ, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The incarnate Son embodies the very quality that defined the covenant God on Sinai. The continuity reinforces the unity of Scripture and the unchanging graciousness of God across covenants. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Preaching: Present God’s grace as both motivation for repentance and assurance of forgiveness. Spiritual Formation Meditation on חַנּוּן cultivates humility, gratitude, and imitative compassion. As believers internalize the Lord’s gracious nature, they become conduits of the same grace, fulfilling Psalm 112:4 and demonstrating the transforming power of the gospel. Summary חַנּוּן reveals the heart of God: favor freely given, steadfast and covenantal, inviting sinners into restored fellowship and commissioning saints to reflect divine compassion in a needy world. Forms and Transliterations וְחַנּ֑וּן וְחַנּ֣וּן וחנון חַנּ֖וּן חַנּ֣וּן חַנּ֤וּן חַנּ֥וּן חַנּ֧וּן חנון chanNun ḥan·nūn ḥannūn vechanNun wə·ḥan·nūn wəḥannūnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 22:27 HEB: וְשָׁמַעְתִּ֖י כִּֽי־ חַנּ֥וּן אָֽנִי׃ ס NAS: out to Me, I will hear [him], for I am gracious. KJV: unto me, that I will hear; for I [am] gracious. INT: will hear when I am gracious I Exodus 34:6 2 Chronicles 30:9 Nehemiah 9:17 Nehemiah 9:31 Psalm 86:15 Psalm 103:8 Psalm 111:4 Psalm 112:4 Psalm 116:5 Psalm 145:8 Joel 2:13 Jonah 4:2 13 Occurrences |
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