### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective חַנּוּן (channûwn, `{{H2587}}`) is derived from the verbal root חָנַן (chanan, `{{H2603}}`), which fundamentally means "to be gracious, show favor, pity, or implore." As an adjective, channûwn describes a quality or characteristic of being "gracious," "merciful," or "compassionate." It denotes an active disposition to show kindness, benevolence, and unmerited favor. Unlike a passive state, channûwn implies an outpouring of goodness, often in response to a plea or simply stemming from an inherent benevolent character. It highlights the willingness to extend unearned favor, emphasizing the giver's generous nature rather than the recipient's desert.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term חַנּוּן (channûwn) is predominantly used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the character of God, appearing 13 times. Its most foundational occurrence is in the self-revelation of YHWH to Moses: "YHWH, YHWH, a God merciful and gracious (חַנּוּן), slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" [[Exodus 34:6]]. This pivotal declaration establishes channûwn as a core attribute of the divine nature.
This epithet frequently appears in a fixed cluster of divine attributes, emphasizing God's enduring patience and compassion. Examples include:
* [[Nehemiah 9:17]]: "But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious (חַנּוּן) and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them."
* [[Psalm 86:15]]: "But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious (חַנּוּן), slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."
* [[Psalm 103:8]]: "The LORD is merciful and gracious (חַנּוּן), slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."
* [[Joel 2:13]]: "Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious (חַנּוּן) and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
* [[Jonah 4:2]]: "For I knew that you are a gracious (חַנּוּן) God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster."
In these contexts, channûwn is almost always paired with רַחוּם (rachum, `{{H7349}}`, "merciful") and often followed by אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם (erekh appayim, "slow to anger") and חֶסֶד (chesed, `{{H2617}}`, "steadfast love"). This consistent pairing underscores that God's graciousness is not an isolated quality but part of a multifaceted divine character that is deeply compassionate, patient, and committed to covenant faithfulness.
One rare instance where channûwn describes a human is in [[Psalm 112:4]], speaking of the righteous individual: "Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious (חַנּוּן), merciful, and righteous." Here, the human quality of graciousness is presented as a reflection of the divine, indicating that God's people are called to embody His attributes.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of חַנּוּן (channûwn, `{{H2587}}`) is rich with interconnected terms that illuminate its meaning:
* **חָנַן (chanan, `{{H2603}}`):** The verbal root, meaning "to show favor, be gracious, pity." This highlights the active and volitional aspect of grace.
* **חֵן (chen, `{{H2580}}`):** The noun form, meaning "favor, grace, charm." This often refers to the unmerited favor bestowed by a superior upon an inferior, or the attractiveness that elicits such favor.
* **רַחוּם (rachum, `{{H7349}}`):** "Merciful, compassionate." Frequently paired with channûwn. While channûwn emphasizes unmerited favor, rachum often conveys deep pity and compassion, particularly for those in distress, stemming from an internal emotional response (related to רֶחֶם - rechem, "womb").
* **חֶסֶד (chesed, `{{H2617}}`):** "Steadfast love, loyal love, covenant faithfulness." This term frequently accompanies channûwn and rachum. Channûwn describes the gracious disposition, while chesed describes the enduring, active manifestation of that disposition within a covenant relationship.
* **אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם (erekh appayim):** Literally "long of nostrils" or "slow to anger." This phrase, almost always appearing with channûwn and rachum, emphasizes God's patience and forbearance, allowing time for repentance before judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of חַנּוּן (channûwn, `{{H2587}}`) is profound:
* **God's Essential Nature:** Channûwn is not merely an attribute that God possesses, but a fundamental aspect of His very being. His graciousness is intrinsic to His character and foundational to His interactions with humanity.
* **Basis for Hope and Repentance:** The consistent portrayal of God as channûwn provides the theological bedrock for human repentance and the hope of forgiveness. Prophets like Joel and Jonah appeal to this established divine character, urging people to return to the Lord, confident that He will relent from disaster because of His gracious nature.
* **Covenant Faithfulness:** The repeated pairing of channûwn with חֶסֶד (chesed, `{{H2617}}`) underscores that God's graciousness is not arbitrary but is an expression of His unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, even in the face of their repeated unfaithfulness. His grace enables the continuation of the covenant relationship.
* **Distinction from Human Merit:** The concept of channûwn strongly emphasizes that God's favor is unearned and unmerited. It is given freely out of His inherent character, not as a reward for human performance or obedience. This stands in stark contrast to the transactional relationships often depicted between humans and deities in the ancient Near East.
* **Imitation of God:** While primarily describing God, the rare application of channûwn to a righteous human (e.g., [[Psalm 112:4]]) suggests that believers are called to reflect this divine attribute in their own lives, extending grace, mercy, and compassion to others.
### Summary
The Hebrew word חַנּוּן (channûwn, `{{H2587}}`) is a powerful descriptor of God's "gracious" character. Derived from the root חָנַן (chanan, `{{H2603}}`), it signifies an active, benevolent disposition to extend unmerited kindness and favor. Predominantly used to describe YHWH, it appears in foundational passages such as [[Exodus 34:6]] and consistently features in a divine epithet cluster alongside "merciful" (`{{H7349}}`), "slow to anger," and "abounding in steadfast love" (`{{H2617}}`). This cluster defines the core of YHWH's covenant character, highlighting His enduring patience and willingness to forgive despite human sin. The theological significance of channûwn lies in its revelation of God's essential nature as one who freely bestows favor, providing the bedrock for human repentance and hope, and serving as a divine attribute to be emulated by His people.
TRV