The first occurrence
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said: “Who are these with you?” And he said: “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Gen 33:5
The primitive root
Strong’s H2603 חנן chanan, a primitive root meaning, “to be favorably inclined.” The 3-letter root is chet + nun + nun.
chet ח = the wall, thus outside, divide, half
nun נ ן = the seed, thus continue, heir, son
nun נ ן = the seed, thus continue, heir, son
The story: The wall (chet) which continues (nun) to the benefit of the children (nun). In ancient days the family tents of the clan were arranged in a large circle, forming a wall. This circular wall, a wall which continues, enclosed the area of safety for the children of the clan within. This was their home: a place of safety, beauty, favor, and lovingkindness. According to The Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, the English word “home” is from the ch-n root, transposing the m sound for the n over time. Chen, grace, the abstract concept from this verbal root, is the same grace that Noah found in the eyes of YHVH (Gen 6:8).
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