### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **channûwn**, represented by `{{H2587}}`, means **gracious**. It appears 13 times across 13 unique verses in the Bible. This term is primarily used as a divine attribute, describing God's benevolent and favorable character toward His people.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical usage, `{{H2587}}` is a cornerstone of a recurring declaration of God's nature. This is most notably established when God proclaims His own name and character to Moses, describing Himself as "merciful and **gracious**, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness" [[Exodus 34:6]]. This formula is repeated by figures like Jonah, who cites this attribute as the reason he knew God would relent from destroying Nineveh [[Jonah 4:2]]. It serves as the foundation for calls to repentance, as in [[Joel 2:13]], where the people are urged to turn to God *because* He is **gracious**. While overwhelmingly a description of God, the term is also applied to the upright person who "ariseth light in the darkness" [[Psalms 112:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words are frequently paired with `{{H2587}}` to build a fuller picture of God's character:
* `{{H7349}}` **rachûwm** (compassionate; full of compassion, merciful): This word is almost always found alongside **gracious**, emphasizing a deep, tender compassion. In God's self-revelation, He is both "merciful and **gracious**" [[Exodus 34:6]].
* `{{H750}}` **ʼârêk** (long; patient, slow): Often combined with `{{H639}}` to mean "slow to anger," this describes God's patience. The appeal to turn to God is based on the fact that He is "**gracious** and merciful, **slow** to anger" [[Joel 2:13]].
* `{{H2617}}` **chêçêd** (kindness; mercy): This word denotes God's abundant and loyal kindness or mercy. Jonah's knowledge of God was that He is "**gracious**... and of great **kindness**" [[Jonah 4:2]].
* `{{H6662}}` **tsaddîyq** (just; righteous): This attribute is sometimes paired with graciousness to balance God's favor with His justice. The psalmist declares, "**Gracious** is the LORD, and **righteous**" [[Psalms 116:5]].
* `{{H5547}}` **çᵉlîychâh** (pardon; forgiveness, pardon): God's gracious character is connected to his readiness to forgive. In their prayer, the Levites recall that even in rebellion, God was "a God ready to **pardon**, **gracious** and merciful" [[Nehemiah 9:17]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2587}}` is centered on defining God's relational character.
* **Divine Self-Revelation:** The term is not merely a human observation but is part of how God defines Himself to humanity. This is established definitively in the proclamation to Moses, where "**gracious**" is a core part of His identity [[Exodus 34:6]].
* **Foundation for Repentance:** God's graciousness is the basis upon which sinners can appeal for mercy and return to Him. The assurance that God is **gracious** provides the hope that turning back to Him will not be in vain [[2 Chronicles 30:9]].
* **A Source of Hope in Failure:** Even after Israel's repeated rebellion and refusal to obey, their leaders acknowledged God's steadfast character, remembering Him as "**gracious** and merciful" who did not forsake them [[Nehemiah 9:17]].
* **An Aspiration for the Righteous:** The use of **gracious** to describe the upright man shows that this divine quality is a virtue to be emulated by the faithful [[Psalms 112:4]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2587}}` **channûwn** is a vital descriptor of God's character. It is rarely mentioned in isolation, but instead forms part of a foundational statement about His nature: that He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and full of kindness. This attribute, revealed by God Himself, serves as the primary motivation for humanity to repent, find hope, and seek a relationship with Him.
TRV