חֵן
Chen
Grace, favor, charm
Before the New Testament was written, before Paul penned Ephesians 2:8, the concept of grace was already deeply embedded in the Hebrew Bible through the word chen (חֵן). Noah 'found chen in the eyes of the LORD' (Genesis 6:8). Moses asked God for chen (Exodus 33:17). Ruth found chen with Boaz. Mary found chen with God (Luke 1:30). The Hebrew word reveals something the English word 'grace' often misses: chen is specifically about a superior showing undeserved favor to someone who has no claim on it. It's the king bending down to the beggar. When you see chen in the Hebrew, you see the gospel before the gospel.
“He mocks proud mockers but shows favor (chen) to the humble and oppressed.”
Etymology & Root Letters
Chen comes from the root ח-נ-ן (chet-nun-nun), meaning 'to show favor, be gracious.' The related word 'chanan' means 'to be gracious' and is the root of names like Hannah and John (Yochanan = 'God is gracious').
How Chen Is Used in Scripture
Chen appears 69 times in the Hebrew Bible. The phrase 'found grace/favor in the eyes of' is used for Noah (Genesis 6:8), Moses (Exodus 33:17), Ruth, Esther, and Mary (Luke 1:30). It always describes undeserved favor from a superior to an inferior.
Cultural & Modern Context
The name 'Hannah' (חַנָּה) means 'grace' or 'gracious.' The name 'John' comes from 'Yochanan' (יוֹחָנָן), meaning 'God is gracious' — built from the same root as chen.
How to Use Chen in Prayer
Pray for chen when approaching God's throne. Hebrews 4:16 says to approach with boldness to receive mercy and find grace (chen). Remember: grace is God's unearned, undeserved favor toward you.
People Also Ask About Chen
Is Hebrew chen the same as New Testament grace?
Yes and no. Chen in the Hebrew Bible and charis in the Greek New Testament both mean unmerited favor. But chen carries a more visual, relational quality — it's about finding favor 'in the eyes of' someone. When the angel told Mary she had found chen with God, it was the same Hebrew concept that saved Noah, blessed Moses, and redeemed Ruth.
What names come from the Hebrew root of chen?
Many beloved biblical names share chen's root (ח-נ-ן): Hannah (חַנָּה, 'grace/gracious'), John/Yochanan (יוֹחָנָן, 'God is gracious'), Hananiah ('God has been gracious'), and Haniel ('grace of God'). Every time you say these names, you're invoking God's grace.
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