What does the Hebrew and Greek tell us?
There are two types of grace that are translated from the Hebrew and Greek Text.
Grace- Pleasant, precious, beauty, etc.
&
Grace- Mercy, unmerited favor, compassion, etc.
These are two distinctly different definitions found in the Hebrew and Greek text of the Bible.
Hebrew:
Chesed- unmerited favor (Strong’s #2616/17)
Chen- precious. (Strong’s #2580/81)
Greek:
Eleos- unmerited favor (Strong’s #1651/53)
Charis- precious (Strong’s #5485/63)
Here are the numerical accounts found in the OT and NT for each word.
In the OT. - In the NT
Chesed is used 251 times. - Eleos is used 50 times.
Chen is used 70 times. - Charis is used 233 times.
The grace of unmerited favor (the definition most commonly used) is pretty consistent throughout ALL of the scriptures (given that the OT is significantly larger than the NT). But the grace of beauty or luster is used exceedingly more in the NT.
Using just the KJV ‘Chen’ (of the 70 in OT) and ‘Charis’ (of the 233 in NT) are translated as ‘grace’ 39 and 131 times respectively into English.
One point I want to make is that when we read scriptures in English we need to be aware that there maybe more than one definition for this word. To say that there is more grace in the NT I would agree with you on the context of beauty and luster but to say this statement regarding to unmerited favor I do not find this to be scripturally supported.
This is another case and point for digging into the Greek and Hebrew to understand the scriptures and not make assumptions from English with out the proper definition at hand. I think this is why we have so many different theologies/doctrines in existence today. This leaves huge gaps of inconsistency and easily plugging in one’s own motive.
The message of G-D’s grace of forgiveness is consistent in the NT as it is in the OT. Am I saying that our grace (unmerited favor) doesn’t come from Jesus our Savior and L-RD? Heaven forbid! Remember he is the W-RD made flesh (John 1:14). The Greek word for ‘W-RD’ here means doctrine and references the Torah or Pentateuch (the law of Moses). My point for now is that G-D's grace is constant and sufficient for us.
Let me finish with some scriptural references as examples:
Jeremiah 9:24 ~’ …That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness (chesed), judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the LORD. (NKJV)’
Genesis 6:8 ~’ But Noah found grace (chen) in the eyes of the LORD. (NKJV)’
Luke 2:52~’ And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor (charis) with God and men. (NKJV)’
Matthew 5:7~’ Blessed are the merciful (Eleos),
For they shall obtain mercy (Eleos). (NKJV)’