Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and MeaningThe name "Hen" is derived from the Hebrew word "חֵן" (ḥēn), which means "grace" or "favor." This name reflects a characteristic often associated with divine favor or kindness.
Biblical ReferencesHen is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Zechariah. In
Zechariah 6:14, the name Hen appears in a context that involves the symbolic crowning of Joshua the high priest. The verse reads: "The crown will reside in the temple of the LORD as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen son of Zephaniah."
Context and SignificanceIn
Zechariah 6, the prophet Zechariah receives a vision concerning the crowning of Joshua, the high priest, which serves as a prophetic symbol of the coming Messiah, who will be both king and priest. The mention of Hen, along with others, in this passage is significant as it highlights individuals who were likely notable figures or benefactors in the post-exilic community. Their names are to be remembered in the temple, signifying their contribution to the restoration efforts and the spiritual renewal of Israel.
Theological ImplicationsThe inclusion of Hen in this passage underscores the theme of divine grace and favor, which is a recurring motif throughout the Scriptures. The restoration of the temple and the community in Zechariah's time is a testament to God's grace towards His people, despite their previous disobedience and exile. Hen's name, meaning "grace," serves as a reminder of the unmerited favor that God extends to His people, a concept that is foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation.
Historical and Cultural ContextThe post-exilic period, during which Zechariah prophesied, was a time of rebuilding and renewal for the Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian captivity. The temple's reconstruction was central to this renewal, serving as a focal point for worship and community life. The individuals mentioned in
Zechariah 6:14, including Hen, were likely leaders or supporters who played a role in this significant period of Israel's history.
Application for TodayThe account of Hen and the others mentioned in Zechariah serves as an encouragement for believers to contribute to the work of God in their communities. Just as Hen's name is memorialized for his role in the temple's restoration, Christians today are called to be active participants in building up the body of Christ and advancing His kingdom on earth. The grace that Hen's name signifies is a reminder of the grace believers have received through Jesus Christ, motivating them to live lives that reflect His love and favor.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Hengrace; quiet; rest
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Hen(rest), probably a son of Zephaniah, and apparently the same who is calledJOSIAH in (Zechariah 6:10)
ATS Bible Dictionary
HenThe care of a hen to protect her brood from hawks, etc., illustrates the Savior's tender care of his people when exposed to the swoop of the Roman eagle, as in all similar perils,Matthew 23:37; 24:22. The common barn-door fowl is not often mentioned in Scripture,Mark 13:35; 14:30;Luke 22:34; but at the present day they and their eggs are more used in Syria than any other food not vegetable.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Common in later times among the Jews in Palestine (
Matthew 23:37;
Luke 13:34). It is noticeable that this familiar bird is only mentioned in these passages in connection with our Lord's lamentation over the impenitence of Jerusalem.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The female of the domestic fowl; also, the female of grouse, pheasants, or any kind of birds; as, the heath hen; the gray hen.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HEN (1)hen (chen, "favor"). InZechariah 6:14, English Versions of the Bible reads, "And the crowns shall be to Helem. and to Hen the son of Zephaniah." But as this person is called Josiah inZechariah 6:10, the Revised Version, margin "and for the kindness of the son of Zephaniah" is probably right, but the text is uncertain.
SeeJOSIAH.
HEN (2)
(ornis): Mentioned in the accounts of the different disciples in describing the work of Jesus (Matthew 23:37Luke 13:34).
Greek
3733. ornis -- a bird, spec. a rooster orhen... a rooster or
hen. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ornis Phonetic
Spelling: (or'-nis) Short Definition: a bird, fowl,
hen Definition: a bird, fowl
...1752. heneka -- on account of, because of
... on account of, because of. Part of Speech: Preposition Transliteration: heneka Phonetic
Spelling: (hen'-ek-ah) Short Definition: for the sake of, on account of...
1520. heis -- one
... (including the neuter (etc.)Hen); a primary numeral; one -- a(-n, -ny, certain),
+ abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some....
1733. hendeka -- eleven
... eleven. Part of Speech: Indeclinable Numeral (Adjective) Transliteration: hendeka
Phonetic Spelling: (hen'-dek-ah) Short Definition: eleven Definition: eleven....
1775. henotes -- to adjure
... to adjure. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: henotes Phonetic Spelling:
(hen-ot-ace') Short Definition: oneness, unity Definition: oneness, unity...
1734. hendekatos -- eleventh
... eleventh. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hendekatos Phonetic Spelling:
(hen-dek'-at-os) Short Definition: eleventh Definition: eleventh....
Strong's Hebrew
2006.hen -- if, whether... 2005, 2006.
hen. 2007 . if, whether. Transliteration:
hen Phonetic Spelling:
(hane) Short Definition: if.
... (Aramaic) corresponding to
hen: lo!
...2005.hen -- lo! behold!
... 2004, 2005.hen. 2006 . lo! behold! Transliteration:hen Phonetic Spelling:
(hane) Short Definition: behold. Word Origin a prim. interj. Definition lo!...
2004.hen -- they
... 2003, 2004.hen. 2005 . they. Transliteration:hen Phonetic Spelling: (hane)
Short Definition: which. Word Origin fem. pl.... 2003, 2004.hen. 2005 ....
2581. Chen -- "favor," a contemporary of Zerubbabel
... 2580, 2581. Chen. 2582 . "favor," a contemporary of Zerubbabel. Transliteration:
Chen Phonetic Spelling: (khane) Short Definition:Hen....Hen....
931. bohen -- thumb, great toe
... 930, 931. bohen. 932 . thumb, great toe. Transliteration: bohen Phonetic
Spelling: (bo'-hen) Short Definition: toe. Word Origin...
3860. lahen -- on this account, therefore
... Word Origin from a preposition prefix andhen Definition on this account, therefore
NASB Word Usage therefore (2).... see HEBREWhen. 3859, 3860. lahen. 3861 ....
5728. aden -- hitherto, still
... yet. Or radennah {ad-en'-naw}; from ad andhen; till now -- yet. see HEBREW ad.
see HEBREWhen. 5727, 5728. aden or adenah. 5729 . Strong's Numbers.
8580. tinshemeth -- (an animal) perhaps owl, chameleon
... two unclean creatures, a lizard and a bird (both perhaps from changing color through
their irascibility), probably the tree-toad and the water-hen -- mole, swan...
2009. hinneh -- lo! behold!
... Word Origin prol. ofhen Definition lo! behold!... behold, lo, see. Prolongation for
hen; lo! -- behold, lo, see. see HEBREWhen. 2008, 2009. hinneh. 2010 ....
2007. hennah -- they
... Word Origin prol. ofhen Definition they NASB Word Usage such (1), these (4), those
(1).... see HEBREWhen. 2006, 2007. hennah. 2008 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Natural Love.
... The tenderness of the motherhen is proverbial.... Christ made the love of the mother
hen a type of His own love for His people and for Jerusalem....
Alle Parabole (V)
... eleluthas? Hoti, phemi, kurie, stationa echo.2. Ti, phesin, esti station?
Nesteia de, phesi, ti estin haute,hen nesteuete? Hos...
Horasis A'
... monon touto ebouleusamen, heteron de oudehen.3. meta chronon tina poreuomenou mou
eis Komas kai doxazontos tas ktiseis tou theou, hos megalai kai ekprepeis...
John Chapter iv. Jan-42
... 7. As weak, then, He nourishes the weak, as ahen her chickens; for He likened Him
self to ahen: "How often," He saith to Jerusalem, "would I have gathered...
Parabole S' (vi)
... eis ti pedion, kai deiknumenon sunthesin himation to chromati krokode.6. eboske
de probata polla lian, kai ta probata tauta hosei truphontahen kai lian...
Philadelpheusin Ignatios
... en homonoia theou kai agalliomene en to pathei tou kuriou hemon adiakritos kai en
te anastasei autou peplerophoremene en panti eleei,hen aspazomai en haimati...
Horasis B'
... hegesato kai egnorisen moi tas hamartias mou tas proteron.3. meta de to egerthenai
me apo tes proseuches blepo apenanti mou ten presbuteran,hen kai perusen...
The Mountainous Country of Judea.
... "The Royal Mountain was laid waste by reason of a cock and ahen. It was
the custom, when they brought forth the bridegroom and...
Psalm XCI.
... If thehen defends her chickens beneath her wings; how much more shalt thou be safe
beneath the wings of God, even against the devil and his angels, the powers...
Pronouns, 66-71
... Nb.35:25 hon echrisan auton, 13:33 tes geshen kateskepsanto auten. Is.62:2 ho o
kurios onomasei auto.... Josh.24:13 gen eph'hen ouk ekopiasate ep' autes....
Thesaurus
Water-hen (2 Occurrences)Water-
hen. Water-gate, Water-
hen. Water-hole . Multi-Version
Concordance Water-
hen (2 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:18
...Sharu'hen (1 Occurrence)
Sharu'hen. Sharuhen, Sharu'hen. Shashai . Multi-Version Concordance
Sharu'hen (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:6 and Beth-lebaoth...
Brood (19 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To sit on and cover eggs, as a fowl, for the purpose of warming them and
hatching the young; or to sit over and cover young, as ahen her chickens, in...
Wings (81 Occurrences)
... how often would I have gathered thy children.... as ahen gathereth her chickens
under her wings" (Matthew 23:37). Gene Stratton-Porter. MORNING, WINGS OF....
Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any domesticated bird used as food, as ahen, turkey, duck; in a more
restricted sense, the common domestic cock orhen (Gallus domesticus)....
Chicken
... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as ahen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Luke's version of the same...
Gather (251 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:26, "seek returns"; John 4:36, "fruit unto life eternal"); episunago,
"to lead or bring together" (Matthew 23:37, "even as ahen gathereth her...
Killeth (23 Occurrences)
... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as ahen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (ASV)....
Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem, that art killing the prophets, and stoning those sent unto thee, how
often did I will to gather thy children together, as ahen doth gather her own...
Kills (38 Occurrences)
... How often I would have gathered your children together, even as ahen gathers
her chicks under her wings, and you would not! (WEB DBY NAS)....
Resources
Jesus wept - why did Jesus weep? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the term “Ichabod” mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God pursue us? | GotQuestions.orgHen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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