בֶּן־חָנָן

Ben-Chanan, an Israelite

Definition

Ben-Chanan is a proper name meaning 'son of Chanan' or 'son of grace/favor'. It identifies an individual listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles 4:20. As a patronymic name, it signifies lineage and family heritage, specifically connecting this person to a father named Chanan. The name appears only in this genealogical context, with no other narrative or historical details provided about the individual's life or actions.

Biblical Usage

This name is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 4:20. It appears within a list of descendants of Judah, functioning solely as a genealogical entry to trace family lines. There is no narrative usage, dialogue, or further description associated with it.

Etymology

The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: 'ben' (H1121), meaning 'son', and 'Chanan' (H2605), a proper name derived from the verb 'chanan', meaning 'to be gracious' or 'to show favor'. Thus, the name literally translates to 'son of Chanan' or 'son of the gracious one'.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting character, divine attributes, or family hopes. A name like Ben-Chanan, highlighting 'grace' or 'favor', may have indicated a family's gratitude or a desired blessing. Its sole appearance in a genealogy underscores the immense cultural and religious importance of preserving tribal and family lineages, which established identity, inheritance rights, and connection to God's covenantal promises.

Chanan (H2605) — The root name meaning 'gracious' or 'favor'. Ben (H1121) — The common noun for 'son', used in countless other patronymic names.

Word Details

Scripture References