Lexical Summary tachanun: Supplication, entreaty, plea for mercy Original Word: תַּחֲנוּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tehinnah Or (feminine) tachanuwnah {takh-an-oo-naw'}; from chanan; earnest prayer -- intreaty, supplication. see HEBREW chanan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chanan Definition supplication for favor NASB Translation supplication (3), supplications (15). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּחֲנוּן noun [maculine] only plural abstract supplication for favour; — absolute תַּחֲנוּנִים Proverbs 18:23 4t.; construct תַּחֲנוּנֵי Jeremiah 3:21; 2Chronicles 6:21; suffix 1 singular תַּחֲנוּנַי Psalm 28:2 etc., + 9 t. suffix; also תַּחֲנוּנוֺתָ֑י Psalm 86:6; — 1 made to men: ׳דִּבֶּר ת (a poor man to the rich) Proverbs 18:23; אֵל ׳ת supplication unto (crocodile to man) Job 40:27; elsewhere 2 to God: "" תפלה Psalm 143:1; Daniel 9:3,17; אשׁר התפלל ׳ת2Chronicles 6:21 (= תחנה 1 Kings 8:30); ׳קוֺל ת voice of supplication Psalm 28:2; Psalm 28:6; Psalm 31:23; Psalm 86:6; Psalm 130:2; Psalm 140:7, also Psalm 116:2 (for קוֺלִי is old case-ending, and construct as ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Che Bae and others); "" בְּכִי Jeremiah 31:9; ׳בְּכִּי ת Jeremiah 3:21; ׳רוח חן ות Zechariah 12:10; לְפָנֶיךָ ׳אֲנַחְנוּ מַמִּילִים ת Daniel 9:18 we are presenting our supplications before thee; ׳בִּתְחִלַּת ת Daniel 9:23 at the beginning of thy supplication. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Essenceתַּחֲנוּן describes a heartfelt plea for favor that proceeds from humility and depends wholly on the gracious character of God. The word emphasizes not merely the act of asking but the posture of the petitioner—contrite, earnest, and conscious of unworthiness. Its occurrences trace a consistent biblical theme: divine grace meets human helplessness. Distribution in Scripture Eighteen occurrences form three broad settings: 1. Temple-centered or corporate prayer (2 Chronicles 6:21; Daniel 9; Zechariah 12:10). Human Pleading and Divine Grace In every verse the initiative of mercy lies with God, yet He invites entreaty. Solomon’s dedication prayer captures this balance: “May You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel… May You hear from heaven… and may You hear and forgive” (2 Chronicles 6:21). The petitioner’s hope rests on the covenant God who listens and pardons. Corporate Worship and Temple Context Daniel employs תַּחֲנוּן four times (Daniel 9:3, 17-18, 23). Although exiled far from Jerusalem, he faces toward the ruined sanctuary, fasting and wearing sackcloth. His petitions seek restoration “for Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary” (Daniel 9:17). The answer arrives with angelic assurance, showing that humble pleas made on earth resonate in heaven. Personal Lament and Assurance Davidic psalms repeatedly move from desperate appeal to confident praise: “Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help” (Psalm 28:2) becomes “Blessed be the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy” (Psalm 28:6). Such passages teach believers to expect God’s attentive response. The same pattern appears in Psalm 31:22; 86:6; 116:1; 130:2; 140:6; 143:1. National Repentance and Eschatological Hope Prophets employ תַּחֲנוּן to portray both Israel’s failure and future. Jeremiah hears “weeping and pleading of the children of Israel” as they recognize their apostasy (Jeremiah 3:21). Yet the Lord promises, “They will come with weeping and pleading; I will lead them” (Jeremiah 31:9). Zechariah looks further ahead: “I will pour out… a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the One they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10). The ultimate answer to supplication culminates in repentance toward the Messiah and His atoning work. Contrast Between Humility and Pride Proverbs 18:23 reveals a social dimension: “The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.” Human power often stifles compassion, yet God’s kingdom honors lowly petitioners. Job 41:3 underscores this by showing that Leviathan—symbol of untamable power—will never offer entreaty. True supplication arises only from hearts aware of their dependence. Christological and New Covenant Implications Zechariah’s prophecy links תַּחֲנוּן with the pierced One, foreshadowing the crucified Christ. Through Him believers “receive mercy and find grace” (compare Hebrews 4:16). The Spirit who intercedes within believers (Romans 8:26-27) perpetuates the dynamic of supplication, ensuring that the theme of תַּחֲנוּן continues in the church age. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Worship leaders may incorporate these texts to model prayers that confess sin, appeal to God’s character, and anticipate His answer. Summary תַּחֲנוּן intertwines human helplessness with divine compassion. Whether voiced in temple courts, exile chambers, hillside laments, or future revival, each occurrence affirms that God delights to hear and respond to humble, grace-seeking petitions. Forms and Transliterations וְתַ֣חֲנוּנִ֔ים וְתַחֲנוּנִ֑ים וּֽבְתַחֲנוּנִים֮ ובתחנונים ותחנונים תַּ֣חֲנוּנָ֔יו תַּ֭חֲנוּנַי תַּחֲנוּנִ֑ים תַּחֲנוּנִ֥ים תַּחֲנוּנֵ֙ינוּ֙ תַּחֲנוּנֵ֤י תַּחֲנוּנֶ֜יךָ תַּחֲנוּנַ֑י תַּחֲנוּנַ֗י תַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃ תַּחֲנוּנוֹתָֽי׃ תַחֲנוּנֵ֖י תחנונותי׃ תחנוני תחנוני׃ תחנוניו תחנוניך תחנונים תחנונינו ta·ḥă·nū·nāw ta·ḥă·nū·nay ta·ḥă·nū·nāy ta·ḥă·nū·nê ṯa·ḥă·nū·nê ta·ḥă·nū·ne·ḵā ta·ḥă·nū·nê·nū ta·ḥă·nū·nîm ta·ḥă·nū·nō·w·ṯāy Tachanunai tachanuNav tachanuNei tachanuNeicha tachanuNeinu tachanuNim tachanunoTai taḥănūnāw taḥănūnay taḥănūnāy taḥănūnê ṯaḥănūnê taḥănūneḵā taḥănūnênū taḥănūnîm taḥănūnōwṯāy ū·ḇə·ṯa·ḥă·nū·nîm ūḇəṯaḥănūnîm uvetachanuNim vetachanuNim wə·ṯa·ḥă·nū·nîm wəṯaḥănūnîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 6:21 HEB: וְשָׁ֨מַעְתָּ֜ אֶל־ תַּחֲנוּנֵ֤י עַבְדְּךָ֙ וְעַמְּךָ֣ NAS: Listen to the supplications of Your servant KJV: Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, INT: Listen toward to the supplications of your servant your people Job 41:3 Psalm 28:2 Psalm 28:6 Psalm 31:22 Psalm 86:6 Psalm 116:1 Psalm 130:2 Psalm 140:6 Psalm 143:1 Proverbs 18:23 Jeremiah 3:21 Jeremiah 31:9 Daniel 9:3 Daniel 9:17 Daniel 9:18 Daniel 9:23 Zechariah 12:10 18 Occurrences |
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