FAVOR

DEFINITION

Hebrew      chen = graciousness, kindness, favor, beauty, grace, pleasant, precious, well favored; from the root chanan = to bend or stoop in kindness, favor, bestow, implore, beseech, entreat, merciful, pity upon

                   chesed = kindness, piety, beauty, favor, merciful, pity; chasad = a primitive root, to bow, in courtesy, as an equal, to be kind

                   ratsah = to be pleased with, acceptable, accomplish, set affection, approve, consent, delight, enjoy, favor, pardon, pleasure

                   ratson ratson = delight, acceptable, delight, desire, favor, good pleasure; ratsah = from the root to be pleased, satisfy, acceptable, set affection, approve, delight, enjoy, take pleasure

                   tob = good or good thing, a good person, beautiful, best, bountiful, fine, gracious, kindness, loving, pleasant, precious, prosperity, well favored

Greek:        charis = graciousness, as gratifying, of manner or act, divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life, gratitude, acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace, thanks worthy; from root word chairo = full of cheer, happy, well off, be well, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy, rejoice

charitoo = to grace, indue with special honor, make accepted, be highly favored

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis 39:20-23 “And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.  But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor (chen) in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.  The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.”

Exodus 3:21-22 “And I will give this people favor (chen) in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbor, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and he shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.”

I Samuel 2:26 “And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor (tob) both with the Lord, and also with men.”

Esther 2:15, 17 “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abigail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing, but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.  And Esther obtained favor (chen) in the sight of all them that looked upon her.  And the king loved Esther above all women, and she obtained grace (chen) and favor (chesed) in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”

Job 10:12 “Thou hast granted me life and favor (chesed), and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.”

Psalms 5:12 “For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor (ratson ratson) wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”

Psalms 44:3 “For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor (ratsah) unto them.”

Psalms 106:4 “Remember me, O Lord, with the favor (ratson ratson) that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;”

Proverbs 3:1-4 “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favor (chen) and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 14:35 “The king’s favor (ratson ratson) is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.”

Proverbs 28:23 “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favor (chen) than he that flattereth with the tongue.”

Daniel 1:9 “Now God had brought Daniel into favor (chesed) and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.”

NEW TESTAMENT

Luke 1:28 “And the angel came in unto her (Mary), and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored (charitoo), the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Luke 1:30 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor (charis = grace) with God.”

Luke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and found favor (charis = grace) with God and man.”

Acts 2:47 “Praising God, and having favor (charis = favor) with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”