1656. eleos

Lexicon

eleos: Mercy, compassion, pity

Original Word: ἔλεος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine; Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: eleos
Pronunciation: EL-eh-os
Phonetic Spelling: (el'-eh-os)
Definition: Mercy, compassion, pity
Meaning: pity, mercy, compassion.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

tender mercy.

Of uncertain affinity; compassion (human or divine, especially active) -- (+ tender) mercy.

HELPS Word-studies

1656 éleos (translating OT 2617 /kataisxýnō, "covenant-loyalty, covenant-love" in the OT-LXX over 170 times) – properly, "mercy" as it is defined by loyalty to God's covenant.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
mercy, pity, compassion
NASB Translation
compassion (2), mercy (25).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 1656: ἔλεος (1)

ἔλεος (1), ἐλέου, ὁ, mercy: that of God toward sinners, Titus 3:5; ἔλεον λαμβάνειν, to receive i. e. experience, Hebrews 4:16; that of men: readiness to help those in trouble, Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:7 (from Hosea 6:6); Matthew 23:23. But in all these passages L T Tr WH have adopted the neuter form τό ἔλεος (which see), much more common in Hellenistic writings than the masculine ὁ ἔλεος, which is the only form in classic Greek (Sophocles (Lexicon, under the word) notes ἔλεος in Polybius 1, 88, 2; and Pape in Diodorus Siculus 3, 18 variant). The Greek manuscripts of the O. T. also frequently waver between the two forms. Cf. (WHs Appendix, p. 158); Winers Grammar, 66 (64); Buttmann, 22 (20).

STRONGS NT 1656: ἔλεος (2)ἔλεος (2), ἐλέους, τό (a form more common in Hellenistic Greek than the classic ὁ ἔλεος, which see), "mercy; kindness or good will toward the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them";

1. of men toward men: Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 23:23 (in these three passages, accusatives to L T Tr WH); James 2:13; James 3:17; ποιεῖν ἔλεος, to exercise the virtue of mercy, show oneself merciful, James 2:13; with the addition of μετά τίνος (in imitation of the very common Hebrew phrase פּ עִם חֶסֶד עָשָׂה, Genesis 21:23; Genesis 24:12; Judges 1:24, etc.; cf. Thiersch, De Pentateuchi vers. Alex., p. 147; (Winer's Grammar, 33 (32); 376 (353))), to show, afford, mercy to one, Luke 10:37.

2. of God toward men;

a. universally: Luke 1:50; in benedictions: Galatians 6:16; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; ((probably) Titus 1:4 R L); 2 John 1:3; Jude 1:2. ἐμεγάλυνε κύριος τό ἔλεος αὐτοῦ μετ' αὐτῆς, magnified his mercy toward her, i. e. showed distinguished mercy to her (after the Hebrew, see Genesis 19:19), Luke 1:58.

b. especially the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ: Luke 1:54; Romans 15:9; Ephesians 2:4; (Titus 3:5 L T Tr WH; Hebrews 4:16 L T Tr WH); 1 Peter 1:3; σπλάγχνα ἐλέους (the genitive of quality (cf. Winers Grammar, 611 (568))), wherein mercy dwells, as we should say, the heart of mercy, Luke 1:78; ποιεῖν ἔλεος μετά τίνος (see 1 above), Luke 1:72; σκεύη ἐλέους, vessels (fitted for the reception) of mercy, i. e. men whom GOd has made fit to obtain salvation through Christ, Romans 9:23; τῷ ὑμετέρῳ ἐληι, by (in consequence of, moved by) the mercy shown you in your conversion to Christ, Romans 11:31 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 22, 7 (cf. § 61, 3 a.); Buttmann, 157 (137)).

3. the mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life: Jude 1:21; (2 Timothy 1:16, 18 (on the repetition of κύριος in 2 Timothy 1:18 cf. Genesis 19:24; 1 Samuel 3:21; 1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Chronicles 7:2; Genesis 1:27, etc. Winer's Grammar, § 22, 2); but Prof. Grimm understands κύριος here as referring to God; see κύριος, c. α.). (Cf. Trench, § xlvii.; and see ἐληω at the end.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἐλεέω (eleeō), meaning "to show mercy" or "to have compassion."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • חֶסֶד (chesed) • Strong's Hebrew 2617: Often translated as "lovingkindness," "mercy," or "steadfast love," this term reflects a covenantal loyalty and compassion.
• רַחֲמִים (rachamim) • Strong's Hebrew 7356: Translated as "compassion" or "mercy," it conveys a deep, tender affection and pity.

The concept of ἔλεος in the New Testament is deeply rooted in these Hebrew terms, reflecting a continuity of God's merciful character throughout the biblical narrative.

Usage: The word ἔλεος is used in the New Testament to describe the mercy of God towards humanity, as well as the mercy that individuals are encouraged to show towards one another. It appears in contexts emphasizing forgiveness, compassion, and the alleviation of suffering.

Context: The concept of ἔλεος is central to the New Testament's portrayal of God's character and His expectations for human conduct. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently emphasizes the importance of mercy, both in His teachings and through His actions. For instance, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates mercy as an active, compassionate response to those in need, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries.

The Apostle Paul often speaks of God's mercy as a foundational aspect of salvation. In Ephesians 2:4-5, he writes, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses." Here, ἔλεος is linked with God's love and grace, underscoring the unmerited favor bestowed upon believers.

The Epistle of James also highlights the practical outworking of mercy in the life of a believer. James 2:13 states, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This passage underscores the reciprocal nature of mercy, suggesting that those who have received God's mercy are called to extend it to others.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces a blessing on the merciful: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). This beatitude encapsulates the biblical principle that mercy is both a divine attribute and a human responsibility.

Forms and Transliterations

ελεει ελεεί ελέει ἐλέει ελεή ελέη έλεον έλεόν Ελεος ελεός έλεος έλεός Ἔλεος ελεους ελέους ἐλέους eleei eléei Eleos Éleos eleous eléous

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 9:13 N-ANS
GRK: τί ἐστιν Ἔλεος θέλω καὶ
NAS: I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,'
KJV: I will have mercy, and
INT: what is Mercy I desire and

Matthew 12:7 N-ANS
GRK: τί ἐστιν Ἔλεος θέλω καὶ
NAS: I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,'
KJV: I will have mercy, and
INT: what is Mercy I desire and

Matthew 23:23 N-ANS
GRK: καὶ τὸ ἔλεος καὶ τὴν
NAS: justice and mercy and faithfulness;
KJV: judgment, mercy, and faith:
INT: and mercy and

Luke 1:50 N-NMS
GRK: καὶ τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ εἰς
NAS: AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION
KJV: his mercy [is] on them that fear
INT: and the mercy of him [is] to

Luke 1:54 N-GNS
GRK: αὐτοῦ μνησθῆναι ἐλέους
NAS: In remembrance of His mercy,
KJV: Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;
INT: of him [in order] to remember mercy

Luke 1:58 N-ANS
GRK: Κύριος τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ μετ'
NAS: had displayed His great mercy toward
KJV: had shewed great mercy upon
INT: [the] Lord the mercy of him with

Luke 1:72 N-ANS
GRK: ποιῆσαι ἔλεος μετὰ τῶν
NAS: To show mercy toward our fathers,
KJV: To perform the mercy [promised] to our
INT: to fulfill mercy toward the

Luke 1:78 N-GNS
GRK: διὰ σπλάγχνα ἐλέους θεοῦ ἡμῶν
NAS: of the tender mercy of our God,
KJV: Through the tender mercy of our God;
INT: through [the] affections of compassion of God of us

Luke 10:37 N-ANS
GRK: ποιήσας τὸ ἔλεος μετ' αὐτοῦ
NAS: The one who showed mercy toward
KJV: he said, He that shewed mercy on him.
INT: having shown compassion toward him

Romans 9:23 N-GNS
GRK: ἐπὶ σκεύη ἐλέους ἃ προητοίμασεν
NAS: upon vessels of mercy, which
KJV: the vessels of mercy, which
INT: upon vessels of mercy which he before prepared

Romans 11:31 N-DNS
GRK: τῷ ὑμετέρῳ ἐλέει ἵνα καὶ
NAS: have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also
KJV: that through your mercy they also
INT: the for your mercy that also

Romans 15:9 N-GNS
GRK: ἔθνη ὑπὲρ ἐλέους δοξάσαι τὸν
NAS: God for His mercy; as it is written,
KJV: God for [his] mercy; as it is written,
INT: [the] Gentiles for mercy to glorify

Galatians 6:16 N-NMS
GRK: αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος καὶ ἐπὶ
NAS: peace and mercy [be] upon them, and upon the Israel
KJV: them, and mercy, and upon
INT: them and mercy and upon

Ephesians 2:4 N-DNS
GRK: ὢν ἐν ἐλέει διὰ τὴν
NAS: rich in mercy, because
KJV: rich in mercy, for his
INT: being in mercy because of

1 Timothy 1:2 N-NMS
GRK: πίστει χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη ἀπὸ
NAS: Grace, mercy [and] peace
KJV: Grace, mercy, [and] peace,
INT: faith grace mercy peace from

2 Timothy 1:2 N-NMS
GRK: τέκνῳ χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη ἀπὸ
NAS: son: Grace, mercy [and] peace from God
KJV: son: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from
INT: child Grace mercy peace from

2 Timothy 1:16 N-ANS
GRK: δῴη ἔλεος ὁ κύριος
NAS: grant mercy to the house
KJV: give mercy unto the house
INT: May grant mercy the Lord

2 Timothy 1:18 N-ANS
GRK: κύριος εὑρεῖν ἔλεος παρὰ κυρίου
NAS: to him to find mercy from the Lord
KJV: that he may find mercy of
INT: Lord to find mercy from [the] Lord

Titus 3:5 N-ANS
GRK: τὸ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἔσωσεν ἡμᾶς
NAS: but according to His mercy, by the washing
KJV: according to his mercy he saved us,
INT: his mercy he saved us

Hebrews 4:16 N-ANS
GRK: ἵνα λάβωμεν ἔλεος καὶ χάριν
NAS: that we may receive mercy and find
KJV: that we may obtain mercy, and find
INT: that we might receive mercy and grace

James 2:13 N-ANS
GRK: μὴ ποιήσαντι ἔλεος κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος
NAS: no mercy; mercy
KJV: that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy
INT: not having shown mercy triumps over mercy

James 2:13 N-ANS
GRK: ἔλεος κατακαυχᾶται ἔλεος κρίσεως
NAS: mercy; mercy triumphs over
KJV: and mercy rejoiceth against
INT: mercy triumps over mercy judgment

James 3:17 N-GNS
GRK: εὐπειθής μεστὴ ἐλέους καὶ καρπῶν
NAS: full of mercy and good
KJV: full of mercy and
INT: yielding full of mercy and of fruits

1 Peter 1:3 N-ANS
GRK: πολὺ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς
NAS: to His great mercy has caused us to be born again
KJV: his abundant mercy hath begotten us
INT: great of him mercy having fathered again us

2 John 1:3 N-NMS
GRK: ἡμῶν χάρις ἔλεος εἰρήνη παρὰ
NAS: Grace, mercy [and] peace
KJV: with you, mercy, [and] peace, from
INT: us grace mercy peace from

Strong's Greek 1656
27 Occurrences

ἐλέει — 2 Occ.
Ἔλεος — 20 Occ.
ἐλέους — 5 Occ.