חֵן (chen)
chen
Hen
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Chen, rendered from the Hebrew word for favor or grace, identifies a specific individual in the post-exilic period. He appears in the Book of Zechariah as a contemporary of the governor Zerubbabel, serving during the restoration of Jerusalem. The sources note that he is also referred to by the variant spelling Hen and is identified as the son of Zephaniah.
Lexical data indicates this personal name carries the meaning of favor, reflecting the divine goodwill often associated with names in Hebrew tradition. Its single significant occurrence in Zechariah 6:10 places Chen within the historical narrative of rebuilding the temple community, linking him to other key figures of that era.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Zechariah 6:14, the name Chen appears among those honored with crowns in the Lord’s temple. This Hebrew word means favor or grace, reflecting God’s goodwill toward His people during a time of rebuilding. The inclusion of Chen and others in this memorial highlights how divine favor rests on ordinary individuals serving in difficult times.
For believers today, this reminds us that God’s grace is not limited to grand miracles but works through faithful service in community. Whether you are restoring something broken or simply standing steady in your duties, you carry the same favor that marked Chen’s life. His name stands as a quiet witness that God sees and honors those who remain loyal.
May this truth encourage you to trust that your efforts, however small they seem, are held in God’s favor. He remembers those who serve with integrity, just as He remembered Chen and his companions in the days of restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ to/ Hen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/לְ/חֵ֖ן1×
Key Verses
-
Zechariah 6:14
The crowns shall be to Helem, to Tobijah, to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in Yahweh’s temple.
The word appears here as part of a personal name, Hen (Chen), identifying one of the individuals honored with crowns in the temple memorial.