חָנַן
Properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor , bestow ; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition) · to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
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.
These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.
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)
ἐλεέω G1653 to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
What does חָנַן (chanan) mean in the Bible?
חָנַן · ἐλεέω is a Hebrew word meaning "to show grace, favor, or compassion".
Full entry for חָנַן (H2603, G1653) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
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×
Hebrew Verb Forms
How this verb appears across 25 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).
Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).
Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain