Lexical Summary eleémón: Merciful Original Word: ἐλεήμων Strong's Exhaustive Concordance merciful. From eleeo; compassionate (actively) -- merciful. see GREEK eleeo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1655 eleḗmōn – merciful, acting consistently with the revelation of God's covenant. See 1656 (eleos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eleeó Definition merciful NASB Translation merciful (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1655: ἐλεήμωνἐλεήμων, ἐλεημον, merciful: Matthew 5:7; Hebrews 2:17. (From Homer, Odyssey 5, 191 on; the Sept..) Topical Lexicon Concept and EssenceThe adjective translated “merciful” describes an active disposition of compassion that moves to relieve the misery of others. It is never mere sentiment; it is love in motion, reflecting God’s own character. Scripture portrays mercy as both a divine attribute and a Spirit-wrought quality in the believer’s life. Old Testament Background The Old Testament vocabulary of mercy, especially the Hebrew ḥesed (steadfast love) and raḥamim (compassion), lays the foundation. The LORD reveals Himself to Moses as “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). The sacrificial system, the Jubilee legislation, and prophetic calls to defend the orphan and widow all express a covenantal mercy that binds God to His people and His people to one another. New Testament Usage 1. Matthew 5:7 — “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus pronounces divine favor on those whose lives mirror the Father’s compassion. The form is plural, underscoring that mercy must characterize the entire community of disciples. 2. Hebrews 2:17 — “So He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.” Here “merciful” modifies Christ Himself. His incarnation furnishes the experiential basis for a priesthood marked by deep compassion toward sinners, climaxing in His atoning sacrifice. Though the term appears only twice, its theological reach extends widely through parallel verbs (eleeō, “to show mercy”) and cognates (eleos, “mercy”), making mercy a pervasive New Testament theme. Theological Significance • Attribute of God: Mercy is inseparable from divine holiness. God’s justice never operates apart from His mercy; rather, mercy upholds the righteous standards of God by providing a path of reconciliation through Christ (Romans 3:25-26). • Christological Fulfillment: Jesus embodies mercy in word and deed—touching lepers, feeding the hungry, forgiving sinners, and ultimately bearing wrath on the cross. Hebrews emphasizes that His merciful priesthood assures continual access for believers who “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). • Pneumatological Application: The Holy Spirit grafts mercy into the believer’s character (Galatians 5:22-23), prompting concrete acts that validate genuine faith (James 2:13-17). Practical Application in Ministry • Pastoral Care: Shepherds emulate the Merciful High Priest by approaching the broken with patience and tenderness, balancing doctrinal fidelity with compassionate counseling. • Diaconal Service: The early church’s distribution to widows (Acts 6) sets a perennial model for congregational mercy-ministries—food pantries, benevolence funds, medical missions. • Evangelism: Mercy removes obstacles to the gospel; when believers alleviate physical need, hearts often open to the message of spiritual deliverance. • Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Matthew 18:21-35 portrays unforgiving behavior as incompatible with having received mercy. Churches that cultivate a merciful culture become havens for restoration. Historical Reflection • Patristic Era: Writings of Ignatius, Polycarp, and the Didache exhort churches to ransom captives, care for orphans, and practice hospitality. • Monastic and Medieval Hospitals: Mercy motivated the establishment of hospices and infirmaries, precursors to modern healthcare. • Reformation to Modern Missions: Mercy ministries accompanied gospel proclamation—whether in William Carey’s fight against infanticide in India or George Müller’s orphan houses in Bristol—demonstrating the indivisible bond between doctrine and deed. Related Biblical Concepts Compassion (splagchnizomai), Kindness (chrēstotēs), Love (agapē), Grace (charis). Mercy differs in that it specifically addresses misery and guilt, providing relief without compromising righteousness. Eschatological Outlook Mercy received and displayed now prefigures the final judgment: “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). For the redeemed, that triumph is secured in Christ; for the unmerciful, it is a sober warning. Summary “Merciful” encapsulates the heart of God revealed in Jesus Christ and reproduced in His people. Rooted in Old Testament covenant love, manifested perfectly in the incarnate Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, mercy remains an indispensable mark of authentic Christianity that guides worship, fellowship, and mission until the Lord returns. Forms and Transliterations ελεημονες ελεήμονες ἐλεήμονες ελεημων ελεήμων ἐλεήμων eleemon eleēmōn eleḗmon eleḗmōn eleemones eleēmones eleḗmonesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:7 Adj-NMPGRK: μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες ὅτι αὐτοὶ NAS: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. KJV: Blessed [are] the merciful: for they INT: Blessed the merciful for they Hebrews 2:17 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 1655 |
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