HEBREW WORD: CHEN (FAVOR)

“ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8

Favor is the Hebrew word chen.

חֵן Chen H2580. Spelled Chet, Nun. 

 Chen comes from the root H2603 חָנַן. Chanan, which is spelled Chet, nun, nun, which means  properly to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (that is, move to favor by petition): - beseech, X fair, (be, find, shew) favour (-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious (-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, X very.

 FAVOR/Chen is close to the Christian idea of GRACE. The use of chen in Genesis 6:8, is the first time this word is used in scripture, and is associated with Noah, whose name means rest. Noah, in Hebrew, pronounced as NoaCH - is an anagram of chen: same 2 letters, but the order is reversed. Noah is chen spelled backward: Nun Chet. Rest is what we do when we receive God's chen. 

 GRACE is not a "new" testament concept. It is poured out on people who have not earned it. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says it is a heartfelt response by someone who has something to give to one who has a need, without strings attached. It’s unearned and is not for sale. Chen is the reason behind the covenant/bond with God; unearned, unmerited.

 It expresses the willingness of a superior to show compassion to the inferior simply because they want to and have the ability to do so. In our relationship with God, chen comes first, only then do the obligations of the Covenant come next. 

You and I enter the bond of God’s family through chen but after that, each side of the bond is now behaviorally obligated to the other! Torah spells out what it means for you and I to be in a relationship with God. Chen allows us in the Kingdom. Torah characterizes what it looks like to be in the Kingdom. We need both. 

With chen, you and I can come to an easy peace that God’s actions toward us are not motivated by our essential goodness; instead they are motivated by the loving character of the Father Himself. That should give you a sense of relief – His chen is not based on how well I act, but on His unchanging and loving nature. Chen is bestowed on us on the basis of our need, regardless of how ‘deserving’ we may or may not be. 

Chen is the Father’s response to our cry.

-Gail Heaton