אלוהים חנון
Elohim chanun
The phrase "God is gracious" in Hebrew is אלוהים חנון (Elohim chanun).
This is a religious statement used to assert that God is kind and merciful.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the noun Elohim (God) and the adjective chanun (gracious/merciful).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hebrew, the verb "to be" (is) is omitted in the present tense. Therefore, the phrase is constructed by placing the subject and the adjective side by side.
How do you pronounce it?
Elohim chanun
Did you know?
- While חנון means 'gracious' in Hebrew, the same root in Moroccan Arabic refers to 'mucus' or 'snot'.
- The word אלוהים is grammatically plural, yet it is used with singular verbs and adjectives when referring to the one God in Jewish monotheism.
- In Hebrew, the concept of 'grace' or 'mercy' implied by chanun is often linked to the idea of a gift given without the recipient necessarily deserving it.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about faith after a difficult week.
- רוטם Rotemהיה לי שבוע קשה מאוד, נועם.Haya li shavua kashe me'od, Noam.I had a very difficult week, Noam.
- נועם Noamאל תאבדי תקווה, רוטם. אלוהים חנון.Al ta'abdi tikva, Rotem. Elohim channun.Don't lose hope, Rotem. God is gracious.
- רוטם Rotemאני מקווה שאתה צודק.Ani mekava she-ata tzodek.I hope you are right.
- נועם Noamאני בטוח שיהיה טוב.Ani batuach she-yihiye tov.I am sure it will be okay.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אלוהים, חנון, CC BY-SA 4.0.
