חָנוּן
Chanun, the name of an Ammonite and of two Israelites
Definition
Chanun is a proper name meaning 'favored' or 'gracious,' derived from the Hebrew root for grace. In the Old Testament, it refers to three distinct individuals: most notably Chanun the Ammonite king (2 Samuel 10:1-4, 1 Chronicles 19:1-6), who provoked a major war by humiliating David's ambassadors. It also names two Israelites: a son of Zalaph who helped repair Jerusalem's wall (Nehemiah 3:30) and a companion of Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 7:7, though some translations render this as a different name). The name's consistent meaning of 'favored' contrasts with the infamous actions of the Ammonite king.
Biblical Usage
The name Chanun appears exclusively in historical narratives. Its primary usage is in the detailed accounts of David's conflict with Ammon in 2 Samuel 10 and the parallel chronicle in 1 Chronicles 19, where Chanun the Ammonite is a central antagonist. Later, it appears in post-exilic contexts in Nehemiah, identifying Israelite builders and leaders (Nehemiah 3:30, 7:7). The usage shows the name was borne by both foreign adversaries and faithful Jewish restorers.
Etymology
Chanun comes directly from the Hebrew root חָנַן (chanan, H2603), meaning 'to be gracious,' 'to show favor,' or 'to pity.' It is a passive participle form, meaning 'one who is favored' or 'gracious one.' This root is the source of important theological words like חֵן (chen, H2580, 'grace') and תְּחִנָּה (techinnah, H8467, 'supplication'). The name itself is a testament to the cultural value placed on divine or human favor.
Semantic Range
While a personal name, Chanun's etymology from the core root for 'grace' (chanan) connects it to a major biblical theme. The narrative of Chanun the Ammonite presents a stark irony: a man whose name means 'favored' acts with profound dishonor and incites judgment (2 Samuel 10). This serves as a narrative contrast to the true, gracious character of God. For the Israelite bearers of the name in Nehemiah, it may reflect a hope or acknowledgment of God's favor during the restoration of Jerusalem.
In ancient Semitic culture, names were often descriptive or expressed a hope about the child's character or destiny. A name like Chanun ('Favored One') likely expressed parents' desire for their son to receive favor from God and people. The infamous story of Chanun of Ammon highlights Near Eastern diplomatic customs; his brutal shaming of David's envoys (cutting their garments) was a severe cultural insult and act of war, not merely a personal offense.
חֵן (chen, H2580) — The noun 'grace' or 'favor,' the abstract quality from which the name Chanun is derived. חָנַן (chanan, H2603) — The root verb meaning 'to be gracious, show favor.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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