The Hebrew adverb chinnam means without cause, for nothing, gratuitously, or freely — used both of grace freely given and of suffering inflicted without just cause. It comes from the root chanan (to be gracious).
Chinnam appears in two theologically charged contexts. First, when describing unjust suffering: in Job 1:9, Satan accuses God of protecting Job 'for nothing' — implying Job's faithfulness is mercenary. God responds by allowing Satan to afflict Job 'without cause' — a shocking assertion of divine permission. Second, chinnam describes unmerited grace: Isaiah 52:3 declares that Israel was sold 'for nothing' (chinnam) and will be redeemed 'without money' — grace is free because it costs the recipient nothing, though it costs the Redeemer everything. John 15:25 quotes Psalm 35:19 in the New Testament: 'They hated me without cause (chinnam)' — applying it to Christ's suffering.