חָנוּן (cha.nun)
cha.nun
Hanun
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew name ḥānûn carries the meaning "gracious" or "kind." It appears ten times in the Old Testament, primarily within historical narratives concerning the United Monarchy and the post-exilic restoration. The word is not a divine title but a personal name given to several distinct individuals who played specific roles in Israel’s political and architectural history.
The most prominent figure bearing this name is the king of Ammon, son of Nahash. His story in 2 Samuel 10 illustrates the dangerous consequences of misjudging kindness; after David sent envoys to console him following his father’s death, Hanun humiliated the ambassadors, sparking a war that resulted in Ammon’s defeat. This incident highlights how the concept of grace can be met with hostility when political pride overrides diplomacy.
Later, the name reappears among those who helped rebuild Jerusalem’s walls after the exile. In Nehemiah 3, two men named Hanun are listed: one from Zanoah repairing the Ravine Gate, and another, a descendant of Zalaph, working on the east side near the Temple. These references show how ordinary citizens with names meaning "gracious" contributed to the physical restoration of the city, turning their personal identity into tangible service for the community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hanun means "gracious," a quality that defines God’s character toward us. In the Old Testament, we see this grace offered by King David to the new king of Ammon after his father died. David chose to honor a past kindness, hoping to extend peace and support during a time of loss. This reflects how God often initiates relationships with unearned favor, inviting us into community even when we do not fully deserve it.
Yet the story also shows what happens when grace is misunderstood. Hanun’s advisors convinced him that David’s kindness was a trick, leading to humiliation and war. It reminds us that fear can distort our view of others’ intentions. When we feel threatened, we might reject help or misinterpret goodwill as danger. God’s grace remains steady, even when human pride clouds our judgment.
Later, the name appears among those rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. These men named Hanun used their strength to restore physical structures, turning their identity into service for the community. Their work shows that receiving grace should lead to giving back. We are called to be gracious in return, helping to rebuild what is broken and supporting others in practical ways.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hanun9×
- to/ Hanun1×
- and/ Hanun1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָנ֣וּן3×
- חָנ֜וּן2×
- לְ/חָנ֗וּן1×
- חָנוּן֮1×
- חָנ֥וּן1×
- חָנ֖וּן1×
- חָ֠נוּן1×
- וְ/חָנ֧וּן1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 10:2
David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by his servants to comfort him concerning his father. David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
This verse shows David initiating kindness toward Hanun based on past loyalty, illustrating how grace can be extended proactively even when the other party has not yet earned it.
-
II Samuel 10:4
So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
Here, Hanun’s humiliation of David’s servants reveals how fear and suspicion can turn an offer of peace into conflict, highlighting the danger of misinterpreting kindness.
-
Nehemiah 3:13
Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the valley gate. They built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and one thousand cubits of the wall to the dung gate.
This reference places a man named Hanun in the role of builder, showing how ordinary citizens contributed to restoring Jerusalem’s defenses through tangible labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Hanun mean?
Why did King David show kindness to Hanun?
How is Hanun different from other biblical figures?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 3 books)
II Samuel 4 verses
After this, the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place.
II Samuel 10:2David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by…
II Samuel 10:3But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think that David honors your father, in that…
II Samuel 10:4So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved off one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to…