2605. Chanan
Lexical Summary
Chanan: Hanan

Original Word: חָנָן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Chanan
Pronunciation: khaw-NAN
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-nawn')
KJV: Canan
NASB: Hanan
Word Origin: [from H2603 (חָנַן - To be gracious)]

1. favor
2. Chanan, the name of seven Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Canan

From chanan; favor; Chanan, the name of seven Israelites -- Canan.

see HEBREW chanan

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from chanan
Definition
"gracious," the name of several Isr.
NASB Translation
Hanan (12).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
חָנָן proper name, masculine (gracious; compare Sabean חנן, Phoenician חנא) —

1 one of the warriors of David 1 Chronicles 11:43.

2 one of the heads of families of Nethinim Ezra 2:46 = Nehemiah 7:49.

3 names of Levites Nehemiah 8:7; Nehemiah 10:11; Nehemiah 13:3.

4 chiefs of the people:

a. Nehemiah 10:23.

b. Nehemiah 10:27.

5 Benjamite name 1 Chronicles 8:23,38; 1 Chronicles 9:44 (compare proper name, of a location בֵּית חָנָן, Mishna כְּפַר חָנָן).

6 אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים head of a prophetic guild, בְּנֵי חָנָן Jeremiah 35:4.



Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Spiritual Emphasis

The Hebrew name חָנָן (Hanan) derives from a root that conveys the ideas of favor and graciousness. Each bearer of the name stands as a living reminder of the Lord’s gracious dealings with His covenant people, whether through preserving family lines, empowering leaders, or sustaining post-exilic worship.

Genealogical Bearers in Benjamin

Three early occurrences lie within the Benjamite registers (1 Chronicles 8:23; 1 Chronicles 8:38; 1 Chronicles 9:44). These men help trace the continuity of Saul’s tribe from the pre-monarchic period into the restored community at Jerusalem. Their inclusion underlines how divine grace preserved even the least of the tribes after exile.

A Warrior among David’s Mighty Men

1 Chronicles 11:43 records “Hanan son of Maacah” among David’s elite warriors. Though little else is said, his placement amid the “Thirty” highlights the variety of backgrounds represented in David’s forces. The Lord gathered faithful men—from royal relatives to foreigners like Uriah—to establish the united kingdom, demonstrating that courage and covenant loyalty, not pedigree alone, mark true service.

Temple Servants Returning from Exile

Ezra 2:46 and its parallel in Nehemiah 7:49 list “sons of Hanan” among the Nethinim who returned with Zerubbabel. These temple servants, descendants of those assigned to menial yet necessary tasks, accepted humble work so that worship could resume. Their willingness illustrates how grace motivates lowly but indispensable ministry.

Levites Who Instructed in the Law

Nehemiah 8:7 places Hanan with eleven other Levites who “instructed the people in the Law while the people remained in their places”. During the great assembly at the Water Gate the Levites translated, explained, and applied the Torah. Hanan’s participation shows that gracious gifting and diligent study are vital when God revives His people through His Word.

Signers of the Covenant Renewal

Three separate groups of covenant signatories in Nehemiah 10 include men named Hanan (Nehemiah 10:10; 10:22; 10:26). Their signatures represent priests, Levites, and lay leaders pledging obedience to Scripture in matters such as Sabbath observance, marriage, and support of the temple. The repetition of the name underscores widespread ownership of the covenant, not an elite initiative alone.

A Trusted Steward of Offerings

Nehemiah 13:13: “I appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan son of Zaccur… for they were considered trustworthy”. In a time of financial laxity, Hanan’s integrity protected God’s house from neglect. Grace not only forgives but also enables believers to handle material resources faithfully.

A Chamber for the Sons of Hanan

Jeremiah 35:4 locates the Rechabites in “the chamber of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, the man of God.” The setting within the temple precincts suggests that Hanan (or his descendants) maintained a room dedicated to prophetic ministry. The verse links the name with spiritual influence during Judah’s last days before exile.

Theological Reflection

Across centuries Hanan appears in military, liturgical, educational, administrative, and prophetic contexts. The diversity of roles reveals that divine favor equips God’s people for every kind of service. From obscure genealogies to pivotal reform movements, those named “Gracious” remind readers that the Lord’s grace threads through Israel’s story, preserving a remnant, guiding reformers, and sustaining worship.

Ministry Implications

1. Faithful obscurity is honored: many Hanans labor behind the scenes, yet Scripture records their names.
2. Teaching the Word remains central to renewal: like the Levite Hanan, modern servants must both understand and explain Scripture clearly.
3. Integrity in stewardship safeguards revival: the treasury assistant Hanan models accountability when God’s resources are entrusted to His people.
4. Covenant commitment spans generations: multiple Hanans bind themselves to God’s law, encouraging contemporary believers to reaffirm obedience amid cultural pressure.

Thus, every appearance of Hanan, however brief, contributes to a composite portrait of gracious enablement within the household of faith.

Forms and Transliterations
וְחָנָ֑ן וְחָנָֽן׃ וחנן וחנן׃ חָנָ֖ן חָנָ֤ן חָנָ֥ן חָנָֽן׃ חָנָן֙ חנן חנן׃ chaNan ḥā·nān ḥānān vechaNan wə·ḥā·nān wəḥānān
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 8:23
HEB: וְעַבְדּ֥וֹן וְזִכְרִ֖י וְחָנָֽן׃
NAS: Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
KJV: And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
INT: Abdon Zichri Hanan

1 Chronicles 8:38
HEB: וּשְׁעַרְיָ֔ה וְעֹבַדְיָ֖ה וְחָנָ֑ן כָּל־ אֵ֖לֶּה
NAS: Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these
KJV: and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these [were] the sons
INT: Sheariah Obadiah and Hanan All these

1 Chronicles 9:44
HEB: וּשְׁעַרְיָ֔ה וְעֹבַדְיָ֖ה וְחָנָ֑ן אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י
NAS: and Obadiah and Hanan. These
KJV: and Obadiah, and Hanan: these [were] the sons
INT: and Sheariah and Obadiah and Hanan These were the sons

1 Chronicles 11:43
HEB: חָנָן֙ בֶּֽן־ מַעֲכָ֔ה
NAS: Hanan the son of Maacah
KJV: Hanan the son of Maachah,
INT: Hanan the son of Maacah

Ezra 2:46
HEB: ק) בְּנֵ֥י חָנָֽן׃
NAS: of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan,
KJV: of Shalmai, the children of Hanan,
INT: Shalmai the sons of Hanan

Nehemiah 7:49
HEB: בְּנֵי־ חָנָ֥ן בְּנֵי־ גִדֵּ֖ל
NAS: the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel,
KJV: The children of Hanan, the children
INT: the sons of Hanan the sons of Giddel

Nehemiah 8:7
HEB: עֲזַרְיָה֩ יוֹזָבָ֨ד חָנָ֤ן פְּלָאיָה֙ וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם
NAS: Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah,
KJV: Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah,
INT: Azariah Jozabad Hanan Pelaiah the Levites

Nehemiah 10:10
HEB: קְלִיטָ֖א פְּלָאיָ֥ה חָנָֽן׃
NAS: Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
KJV: Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,
INT: Kelita Pelaiah Hanan

Nehemiah 10:22
HEB: פְּלַטְיָ֥ה חָנָ֖ן עֲנָיָֽה׃
NAS: Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
KJV: Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
INT: Pelatiah Hanan Anaiah

Nehemiah 10:26
HEB: וַאֲחִיָּ֥ה חָנָ֖ן עָנָֽן׃
NAS: Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,
KJV: And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
INT: Ahiah Hanan Anan

Nehemiah 13:13
HEB: וְעַל־ יָדָ֔ם חָנָ֥ן בֶּן־ זַכּ֖וּר
NAS: and in addition to them was Hanan the son
KJV: and next to them [was] Hanan the son
INT: and it was their task to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur

Jeremiah 35:4
HEB: לִשְׁכַּ֗ת בְּנֵ֛י חָנָ֥ן בֶּן־ יִגְדַּלְיָ֖הוּ
NAS: of the sons of Hanan the son
KJV: of the sons of Hanan, the son
INT: the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah

12 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2605
12 Occurrences


ḥā·nān — 9 Occ.
wə·ḥā·nān — 3 Occ.

2604
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