Difference between revisions of "Favor"

<p> '''A. Noun. ''' </p> <p> <em> Râtsôn </em> ( '''''רָצֹן''''' , Strong'S #7522), “favor; goodwill; acceptance; will; desire; pleasure.” The 56 occurrences of this word are scattered throughout Old Testament literature. </p> <p> <em> Râtsôn </em> represents a concrete reaction of the superior to an inferior. When used of God, <em> râtsôn </em> may represent that which is shown in His blessings: “And for the precious things of the earth and fullness thereof, and for the <em> good will </em> —of him that dwelt in the bush” (Deut. 33:16). Thus Isaiah speaks of the day, year, or time of divine “favor”-in other words, the day of the Lord when all the blessings of the covenant shall be heaped upon God’s people (Isa. 49:8; 58:5; 61:2). In wisdom literature, this word is used in the sense of “what men can bestow”: “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him” (Prov. 11:27). In Prov. 14:35, <em> râtsôn </em> refers to what a king can or will do for someone he likes. This word represents the position one enjoys before a superior who is favorably disposed toward him. This nuance is used only of God and frequently in a cultic context: “… And it [the plate engraved with “holy to the Lord”] shall be always upon his [the high priest’s] forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord” (Exod. 28:38). Being “accepted” means that God subjectively feels well disposed toward the petitioner. </p> <p> <em> Râtsôn </em> also signifies a voluntary or arbitrary decision. Ezra told the people of Israel to do the “will” of God, to repent and observe the law of Moses (Ezra 10:11). This law was dictated by God’s own nature; His nature led Him to be concerned for the physical well-being of His people. Ultimately, His laws were highly personal; they were simply what God wanted His people to be and do. Thus the psalmist confessed his delight in doing God’s “will,” or His law (Ps. 40:8). When a man does according to his own “will,” he does “what he desires”: “I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his willand became great” (Dan. 8:4). In Ps. 145:16, the word <em> râtsôn </em> means “one’s desire” or “what one wants” (cf. Esth. 1:8). This emphasis is found in Gen. 49:6 (the first occurrence): “… And in their self-will they [brought disaster upon themselves].” </p> <p> '''B. Verb. ''' </p> <p> <em> Râtsâh </em> ( '''''רָצָה''''' , Strong'S #7521), “to be pleased with or favorable to, be delighted with, be pleased to make friends with; be graciously received; make oneself favored.” This verb, which occurs 50 times in the Old Testament, has cognates in Ugaritic, Aramaic, Syriac, and Arabic. Gen. 33:10 contains one appearance of this word: “… thou wast pleased with me.” </p>

<p> ''''' fā´vẽr ''''' ( חן , <i> ''''' ḥēn ''''' </i> , רצון , <i> ''''' rācōn ''''' </i> , with other Hebrew words; χάρις , <i> ''''' cháris ''''' </i> ): [[Means]] generally good will, acceptance, and the benefits flowing from these; in older usage it meant also the countenance, hence, appearance. Alternating in English [[Versions]] of the Bible with "grace," it is used chiefly of man, but sometimes also of God (&nbsp;Genesis 18:3; &nbsp;Genesis 30:27; &nbsp;Genesis 39:21; &nbsp;Exodus 3:21; &nbsp;2 Samuel 15:25 , "in the eyes of Yahweh," etc.). It is used perhaps in the sense of "countenance" in &nbsp;Proverbs 31:30 , "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain" (the King James Version), where for "favor" the Revised Version (British and American) has "grace"; the reference is to external appearance. "Favored" is used in the sense of "appearance" in the phrase "well-favored" (&nbsp;Genesis 29:17; &nbsp;Genesis 39:6; &nbsp;Genesis 41:2 , &nbsp;Genesis 41:4 ).; conversely, "ill-favored" (&nbsp;Genesis 41:3 , &nbsp;Genesis 41:4 ). For "favor" the Revised Version (British and American) has "have pity on" (&nbsp;Psalm 109:12 ), "good will" (&nbsp;Proverbs 14:9 ), "peace" (&nbsp;Song of [[Solomon]] 8:10 ); the English Revised Version "grace" (Rth 2:13), the American Standard Revised Version "kindness" (&nbsp;Esther 2:17; &nbsp;Daniel 1:9 ), etc. In the American Standard Revised Version "the acceptable year of the Lord" (&nbsp;Isaiah 61:2 ) is changed Into "the year of Yahweh's favor"; "Do I now persuade men" (&nbsp;Galatians 1:10 ) into, "Am I now seeking the favor of men," and there are other the Revised Version (British and American) changes. </p>