Quick Answer: How to Say Grace in Hebrew
Grace in Hebrew is:
Meaning: Grace, favor, charm
How to Pronounce Chen
The Hebrew word חֵן (chen) is pronounced khehn.
Pronunciation Breakdown
- חֵן (chen) - Sounds like "khehn" (one syllable)
- The "ch" is a guttural sound like the "ch" in "Bach" or "loch"
- The "e" is like the "e" in "bed"
- The "n" is like the "n" in "no"
Note: Chen is a single syllable word. The guttural "ch" sound (ח) is made in the back of the throat.
Practice Saying Chen
Try saying it: khehn
Tip: The guttural "ch" sound (ח) is made in the back of the throat. Think of it like gently clearing your throat. The word rhymes with "hen" but starts with the guttural "ch" sound.
What Does Chen Mean?
The Hebrew word חֵן (chen) is translated as "grace" or "favor," but its meaning is more specific than the English word. Chen encompasses:
✨ Grace
Unmerited favor and kindness shown to someone
👁️ Favor
Finding favor in someone's eyes - being looked upon with kindness
💎 Charm
Attractiveness or beauty that wins favor
🎁 Gift
Something given freely, not earned
Key Insight: Chen comes from the root ח.נ.ן (ch.n.n), which means "to be gracious" or "to show favor." The phrase "to find favor in the eyes of" (מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי) appears frequently in the Bible. Chen is not something earned, but something given freely. It's the kind of favor that causes someone to look upon you with kindness and acceptance, even when you don't deserve it.
How to Use Chen
Chen appears throughout the Hebrew Bible, often in the phrase "to find favor in the eyes of." Here's how it's used:
1. Finding Favor in God's Eyes
Chen is used to describe finding favor with God:
Genesis 6:8:
וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה
Venoch matza chen be'enei Adonai
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD"
Noah found chen (grace/favor) with God - he was looked upon with kindness and acceptance.
2. Finding Favor with People
Chen is also used to describe finding favor with other people:
Esther 2:17:
וַתִּשָּׂא חֵן וָחֶסֶד לְפָנָיו
Vatisa chen vachesed lefanav
"And she won grace and favor in his sight"
Esther found chen with King Ahasuerus - she was looked upon with favor and kindness.
3. The Phrase "Find Favor"
The most common usage is "to find favor in the eyes of" (מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי):
Exodus 33:13:
אִם נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ
Im na matzati chen be'eynecha
"If I have found favor in your sight"
Moses asks God if he has found chen - if God looks upon him with favor and acceptance.
Biblical Significance of Chen
Chen reveals how God and people relate through unmerited favor. Here are key biblical concepts involving chen:
Genesis 6:8 - Noah Found Grace
וְנֹחַ מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה
Venoch matza chen be'enei Adonai
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD"
In a world full of corruption, Noah found chen (grace) with God. This grace was not earned, but given freely. It was this grace that saved Noah and his family from the flood.
Proverbs 3:34 - God Gives Grace
לַצְּנוּעִים יִתֶּן חֵן
Latzenu'im yiten chen
"He gives grace to the humble"
God gives chen (grace) to those who are humble. This verse is quoted in James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5, showing the connection between Hebrew chen and New Testament grace.
Exodus 33:17 - Moses Found Grace
גַּם אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתָּ אֶעֱשֶׂה כִּי מָצָאתָ חֵן בְּעֵינַי
Gam et hadavar hazeh asher dibarta e'eseh ki matzata chen be'enai
"This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight"
Because Moses found chen (favor) in God's eyes, God granted his request. Chen opens doors and makes relationship possible.
Practical Tips for Understanding Chen
How to Study
- Practice pronunciation: Say "khehn" - master the guttural "ch" sound
- Learn the phrase: Memorize "matza chen be'eynei" (found favor in the eyes of)
- Read Genesis 6:8: See how Noah found grace with God
- Study Proverbs 3:34: Understand that God gives grace to the humble
- Compare with New Testament: Notice how chen relates to the Greek word "charis" (grace) in the New Testament
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