Original Word: חָנֵף
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: chaneph
Pronunciation: khaw-nafe'
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-nafe')
Definition: soiled, impious
Meaning: The term חָנֵף (chaneph) primarily means "soiled" or "impious." It conveys a sense of moral corruption or defilement, often in a religious or ethical context.

Word Origin: A primitive root in Hebrew.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G268 (ἁμαρτωλός, hamartōlos): Often translated as "sinner," this term refers to those who are morally or spiritually corrupt.
• G459 (ἄνομος, anomos): Meaning "lawless" or "without law," it describes those who act contrary to God's commandments.
• G765 (ἀσεβής, asebēs): Translated as "ungodly" or "impious," it refers to those who lack reverence for God.
• G1388 (δοῦλος, doulos): While primarily meaning "servant" or "slave," in certain contexts, it can imply servitude to sin or moral corruption.
• G5273 (ὑποκριτής, hypokritēs): Meaning "hypocrite," it describes someone who pretends to have virtues or religious beliefs that they do not possess.

The Hebrew concept of חָנֵף (chaneph) is thus closely related to these Greek terms, all of which convey aspects of moral and spiritual corruption, hypocrisy, and impiety.

Usage: The word is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe individuals or actions that are morally or religiously corrupt. It often refers to those who are hypocritical or who deviate from righteous conduct.

Context: • The root חָנֵף (chaneph) appears in various forms in the Hebrew Bible, often describing a state of moral impurity or religious apostasy. It is used to characterize individuals who are not only sinful but also deceitful in their religious practices.
• In the book of Job, the term is used to describe those who are hypocritical or who feign righteousness while harboring wickedness. For example, Job 8:13 states, "Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless (חָנֵף) will perish."
• The term is also found in Isaiah 9:17, where it is used to describe a society that has become morally corrupt: "Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will He pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is godless (חָנֵף) and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly."
• The concept of חָנֵף is closely associated with the idea of hypocrisy, where outward religious observance is contradicted by inner moral decay. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God desiring genuine righteousness and integrity over mere ritualistic compliance.

Word Origin
from chaneph
Definition
profane, irreligious
NASB Translation
godless (11), godless man (2).

חָנֵף adjective profane, irreligious (Syriac profane, hence often Healthen, apostate; Arabic inclining to a right state, especially the true religion a Muslim) — absolute ׳ח Job 8:13 10t.; plural חֲנֵפִים Isaiah 33:14; חַנְפֵי Job 36:13; Psalm 35:16; — profane, godless: of persons, ׳אָדָם ח Job 34:30; ׳גּוֺי ח Isaiah 10:6; as substantive godless man Isaiah 9:16 ("" מרע) Job 8:13; Job 13:16; Job 17:8; Job 20:5; Job 27:8; Proverbs 11:9; collective ׳עֲדַת ח Job 15:34; plural Isaiah 33:14; חַנְפֵילֵֿב Job 36:13; בְּחַנְפֵי לַעֲגֵי מָעוֺג Psalm 35:16 as profane men, mockers for cake (i.e. table-jesters; on construct see Ges ^{§ 130. 5}), but text dubious (see Che^{critical note} Bae).

hypocritical

From chaneph; soiled (i.e. With sin), impious -- hypocrite(-ical).

see HEBREW chaneph

בְּ֭חַנְפֵי בחנפי וְֽחַנְפֵי־ וחנפי־ חֲנֵפִ֑ים חָ֭נֵף חָנֵ֗ף חָנֵ֣ף חָנֵ֥ף חָנֵף֙ חנף חנפים bə·ḥan·p̄ê Bechanfei bəḥanp̄ê chaNef chaneFim ḥă·nê·p̄îm ḥā·nêp̄ ḥānêp̄ ḥănêp̄îm vechanfei wə·ḥan·p̄ê- wəḥanp̄ê-Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts