What does חָנַן · רָחַם mean in the Bible?
חָנַן · רָחַם is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to show favor, be gracious; to have compassion".
Hebrew · H2603, H7355
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
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.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are 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)
Pronunciation ḥānan
Condescending benevolence from superior to inferior; foundational to covenant grace and intercessory prayer in Hebrew theology.
Open lexicon entry →
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.
Open lexicon entry →
What does חָנַן / רָחַם (chanan / racham) mean in the Bible?
חָנַן · רָחַם is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to show favor, be gracious; to have compassion".
Full entry for חָנַן / רָחַם (H2603, H7355) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H2603, H7355?
H2603, H7355 is connected to 126 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to show favor, be gracious; to have compassion
Source Gloss
to show favor, be gracious; to have compassion
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 6 Aligned forms 25
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 6×
Imperfect Amos 5:15 · Deut 28:50 · Exod 33:19 3×
Perfect Gen 33:5 · Lam 4:16 2×
Infinitive absolute Isa 30:19 1×
Jussive Ps 59:6 1×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 7×
Imperfect Job 9:15 · Job 19:16 · Ps 30:9 · Ps 142:2 · Job 8:5 5×
Perfect 1Kgs 8:59 · 1Kgs 9:3 2×
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action 2×
Imperfect Isa 26:10 · Prov 21:10 2×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 1×
Perfect Jer 22:23 1×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×
Imperfect Prov 26:25 1×
Poel 1×
Imperfect Ps 102:15 1×
Word Origins
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain