Gracious
Gracious
GRACIOUS.This Eng. adj. is now used only in an active sense = bestowing grace, showing favour. And this is its most frequent use in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] , as Exo 33:19 And [I] will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. But it was formerly used passively also = favoured, accepted, as 1Es 8:20 Yea, when we were in bondage, we were not forsaken of our Lord; but he made us gracious before the kings of Persia, so that they gave us food. And from this it came to signify attractive, as Pro 11:16 a gracious woman retaineth honour, lit. a woman of grace, that is, of attractive appearance and manner; Luk 4:22 the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, lit., as RV [Note: Revised Version.] , words of grace, that is, says Plummer, winning words; he adds, the very first meaning of charis is comeliness, winsomeness.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Gracious
grashus (, hanan; , charis): In general, the word means to favor, to show kindness to an inferior and to be compassionate. All Old Testament passages are derived from the same root, and yet there are two evident shades of meaning derived from it. (1) As above, favorable or, causative, to cause to be gracious, as Yahweh make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee (Num 6:25); And the Lord was gracious unto them (2Ki 13:23 the King James Version); The Lord is gracious and full of compassion (Psa 145:8 the King James Version). (2) In a modified sense, graceful, winsome or attractive, as applied particularly to persons and things. Used thus 3 times in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. A gracious woman retaineth honor (Pro 11:16 the King James Version; compare Ecc 10:12 and Luk 4:22).
The word is used once in the New Testament from root of Greek word , chrestos, meaning useful as a benefit: if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1Pe 2:3).
In the main, however, the adjective is applied in the Old Testament to Yahweh, as indicative of His favor and mercy, His long-suffering and general inclination of favor and kindness.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Gracious
is rendered “gracious” in 1Pe 2:3, as an attribute of the Lord. See EASY, GOOD, KIND.
Note: Euphemos, “fair-sounding” (eu, “well,” pheme, “a saying, or report”), “of good report,” Phi 4:8, is rendered “gracious” in the RV marg.