The word ‘grace’ is found 288 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Grace is part of the Old Testament as well as the New. Chesed or grace (favor) is an attribute of Adonai and He does not change with how He deals with mankind individually or even corporately. There is no specific ‘new’ covenant of grace mentioned in the Scriptures as Adonai has always dealt graciously with His people beginning with Adam and Eve until this very day.
חן
Chen in Hebrew means “to be gracious, considerate, to show favor when it is neither expected or deserved, generosity.”
“But Noach found grace (consideration) in the sight of Adonai” (Genesis 6:8, Complete Jewish Bible).
“Adonai passed before him and proclaimed: “YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH!!! Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh [Adonai] is God, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace and truth…” (Exodus 34:6).
“Will Adonai reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his grace permanently disappeared? Is His word to all generations done away? Then I add, ‘That’s my weakness – [supposing] the Most High’s right hand could change” (Psalm 77:9, CJB).
“Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain when it says that there is a spirit in us which longs to envy? But the grace (delight) he gives in greater, which it why it says, “God opposes the arrogant, but to the humble he gives grace (pleasure)” (James 4:5-6, Proverbs 3:34).
Hebrew Word Pictures
ח Chet – A Fence means ‘protect.’
ן Noon – A Fish means ‘life.’
The Hebrew Word Picture for chen: protect life.
Greek – charis means that which bestows pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard, to be in favor with
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