be gracious
cha.nan denotes granting favorable treatment or compassion, and in a reflexive form, pleading for such favor.
The verb most often concerns favor or compassionate treatment granted by God or shown by people, including kindness toward the poor and needy. Its Hithpael forms regularly portray a person entreating another for help or favorable action, especially in prayer or urgent appeal.
Senses in use
-
Granting favor or compassionate treatment · dominant
Qal forms describe favor being granted: in Exodus 33:19 the speaker declares that he will be gracious to whomever he chooses, while in 2 Kings 13:23 the APB renders the LORD's response to Israel as being "gracious to them" and turning toward them. The same use appears in human treatment of others: Proverbs 14:21 describes one who is gracious to the afflicted and poor, and Deuteronomy 28:50 contrasts a fierce nation that will not "show favor to the young."
-
Pleading for favorable action · common
Hithpael forms mark direct entreaty. In Esther 8:3 Esther falls at the king's feet, weeps, and pleads for the removal of Haman's plot; in 2 Kings 1:13 the officer bows before Elijah and entreats him that his life and his servants' lives be precious. In 1 Kings 8:47 the returning captives entreat God while confessing that they have sinned.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the granting use with "gracious," "show favor," or descriptions of generosity and compassion; it presents Hithpael appeals with "entreat," "plead," or "pleaded." Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these renderings indicate the clauses' presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.