from חָנַן; favored; Channah, an Israelitess; Hannah.
Transliteration:Channâh
Pronunciation:khan-naw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun חַנָּה (Channâh), transliterated as Hannah, derives directly from the verbal root חָנַן (chanan, `{{H2603}}`), which signifies "to be gracious," "to show favor," "to pity," or "to implore favor." Thus, the name Channâh inherently means "favor," "grace," or "gracious one." While a proper noun identifying a specific individual, its etymological root imbues it with profound theological significance, serving as a constant reminder of divine benevolence. It is closely related to the noun חֵן (chen, `{{H2580}}`), meaning "grace" or "favor." The name itself is a testament to the character of God, who bestows favor upon His creation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Channâh occurs exclusively in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, referring to the mother of the prophet Samuel. Her narrative is primarily found in 1 Samuel 1-2. Hannah is introduced as one of Elkanah's two wives, the other being Peninnah. While Peninnah had children, Hannah was barren, a condition that brought her great distress and public shame in ancient Israelite society ([[1 Samuel 1:2]]). Peninnah's constant provocation exacerbated Hannah's suffering, leading her to weep bitterly and refuse to eat ([[1 Samuel 1:6-7]]).
Her profound anguish drove her to the tabernacle at Shiloh, where she poured out her soul before the Lord, making a solemn vow: if God would "look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life" ([[1 Samuel 1:10-11]]). Eli the priest initially misjudged her fervent, silent prayer as drunkenness ([[1 Samuel 1:13-14]]), but upon understanding her distress, he blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him" ([[1 Samuel 1:17]]).
God "remembered" Hannah, and she conceived and bore a son, whom she named Samuel, explaining, "Because I have asked for him from the Lord" ([[1 Samuel 1:20]]). This act of divine remembrance and the granting of her petition perfectly illustrate the meaning of her name – she was indeed "favored" by God. True to her vow, Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord's service at the tabernacle once he was weaned ([[1 Samuel 1:24-28]]). Her subsequent prayer, often called Hannah's Song ([[1 Samuel 2:1-10]]), is a magnificent theological exposition, praising God for His sovereignty, His reversal of fortunes, His justice, and His ultimate kingship. It foreshadows themes of divine intervention, the exaltation of the humble, and the anointing of a king, echoing in later biblical texts like Mary's Magnificat. God continued to favor Hannah, granting her three more sons and two daughters ([[1 Samuel 2:21]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The word Channâh is inextricably linked to its root חָנַן (chanan, `{{H2603}}`), which appears frequently throughout the Old Testament to describe God's gracious character and His acts of showing favor or mercy. Examples include God's promise to "be gracious to whom I will be gracious" ([[Exodus 33:19]]) and the priestly blessing to "the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you" ([[Numbers 6:25]]).
Other related terms and concepts include:
* **חֵן (chen, `{{H2580}}`):** "Grace," "favor." Often used in phrases like "to find favor in the eyes of" someone, especially God.
* **רַחֲמִים (rachamim, `{{H7359}}`):** "Compassion," "mercy." While distinct, divine favor often flows from God's compassionate nature.
* **פְּלִילָה (pelilah, `{{H6419}}`):** "Intervention," "judgment." Hannah's story is an example of divine intervention in a seemingly hopeless situation.
* **נֶדֶר (neder, `{{H5088}}`):** "Vow." Hannah's vow to dedicate Samuel is central to her narrative and reflects a deep commitment born of her faith and the favor she sought.
* **עֲקָרָה (aqarah, `{{H6135}}`):** "Barrenness." This condition, central to Hannah's initial plight, is often a prelude to divine intervention and a demonstration of God's power over natural limitations in the biblical narrative.
### Theological Significance
Hannah's story, and the very meaning of her name, profoundly illustrate several key theological truths.
1. **God's Gracious Character:** The name Channâh, meaning "favor" or "grace," is a living testimony to God's readiness to show compassion and respond to the cries of His people. Her narrative underscores that divine favor is not earned but freely given, often in circumstances of human weakness or despair.
2. **The Power of Prayer:** Hannah's fervent, heart-wrenching prayer demonstrates the efficacy of desperate, persistent petition. God hears the prayers of the afflicted and remembers His servants. Her experience teaches that true prayer involves pouring out one's soul before the Lord, even when misunderstood by others.
3. **Divine Reversal and Exaltation of the Humble:** Hannah's barrenness, a source of shame, is transformed into a source of blessing. Her song in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 articulates a foundational biblical theme: God "raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap" ([[1 Samuel 2:8]]). This motif of divine reversal, where the humble are exalted and the proud brought low, is a recurring pattern in salvation history, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.
4. **Sovereignty of God over Life:** Hannah's inability to conceive highlights God's ultimate control over life and death, fruitfulness and barrenness. Her conception of Samuel is a miraculous act, emphasizing that children are a gift from the Lord ([[Psalm 127:3]]).
5. **Preparation for Leadership:** Samuel, born through divine favor and dedicated to the Lord, becomes a pivotal figure in Israel's history, transitioning the nation from judges to kingship. Hannah's faithfulness and her son's subsequent ministry demonstrate how God uses seemingly ordinary individuals, touched by His grace, to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
### Summary
Channâh (Hannah, `{{H2584}}`), meaning "favor" or "grace," is a proper noun referring to the barren Israelite woman who became the mother of the prophet Samuel. Her life story, primarily recounted in 1 Samuel 1-2, is a powerful testament to the meaning of her name. Through her deep anguish over barrenness, her fervent prayer, and her solemn vow, Hannah experienced God's gracious intervention, receiving a son whom she dedicated to the Lord. Her subsequent song of praise articulates profound theological truths about God's sovereignty, His justice, His reversal of fortunes, and His exalting of the humble. Hannah's narrative serves as an enduring biblical example of the power of prayer, the nature of divine favor, and God's faithfulness to those who seek Him. Her story, rooted in the concept of divine grace (חָנַן, `{{H2603}}`), foreshadows major themes of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture.
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