In the biblical context, the concept of pity, particularly in relation to offenders, is addressed with a focus on justice and the upholding of divine law. The Scriptures provide guidance on the importance of maintaining righteousness and the consequences of deviating from God's commandments.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament frequently emphasizes the necessity of justice and the importance of not allowing personal emotions, such as pity, to interfere with the execution of God's laws. In Deuteronomy 19:13, the Israelites are instructed regarding the punishment of a murderer: "You must not show pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you." This directive underscores the importance of justice over personal feelings, ensuring that the community remains pure and aligned with God's will.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 19:21, the principle of lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, is articulated: "Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." This passage reinforces the idea that justice must be served in a manner that is equitable and devoid of partiality or undue compassion that might compromise the law.

Judicial and Moral Implications

The biblical mandate to refrain from showing pity to offenders is not merely a call for harshness but rather a directive to uphold justice and righteousness. In the judicial system established for the Israelites, impartiality was crucial. Judges and leaders were expected to administer justice without favoritism or emotional bias, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:17: "Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgment belongs to God."

The moral implications of this principle extend beyond the legal system to the broader community. By not showing pity to offenders, the community is reminded of the seriousness of sin and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. This approach serves as a deterrent to wrongdoing and maintains the sanctity of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

New Testament Considerations

While the New Testament introduces themes of grace and forgiveness, the principle of justice remains integral. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles do not negate the need for justice but rather fulfill and deepen the understanding of the law. In Romans 13:4, the apostle Paul speaks of the governing authorities as God's servants, "agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." This passage highlights the continued relevance of justice and the role of authorities in executing it.

The New Testament also emphasizes the transformative power of repentance and redemption. However, this does not imply that justice should be compromised. Instead, it calls for a balance between justice and mercy, recognizing that true repentance involves a turning away from sin and a commitment to righteousness.

Conclusion

The biblical instruction not to show pity to offenders is rooted in the need for justice and the maintenance of divine order. While compassion and forgiveness are vital aspects of the Christian faith, they do not negate the necessity of upholding God's laws and ensuring that justice is served. The balance between justice and mercy is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reflecting the character of God as both just and loving.Deuteronomy 7:16
And you shall consume all the people which the LORD your God shall deliver you; your eye shall have no pity on them: neither shall you serve their gods; for that will be a snare to you.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 13:8
You shall not consent to him, nor listen to him; neither shall your eye pity him, neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him:
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 19:13,21
Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 25:11,12
When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draws near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smites him, and puts forth her hand, and takes him by the secrets:
Nave's Topical Index

The Wrath of God
... to condole with us; but the wicked have wrath and no pity shown them. ... The saints
will not pity them. ... The wicked shall drink a sea of wrath, but not one drop of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/3 3 the wrath of god.htm

Its Problem
... Holy Writ declares that "justice and judgment," and not pity and clemency ... His justice,
nor is His grace ever shown at the ... And this is true not only of a certain ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/3 its problem.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... from other assemblies, [1074]324; of Constantinople, unworthy to be so called,
[1075]ib.; offenders removed from ... Flattery, not humility, is shown by courting ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... the people, a deep gulf opens, the offenders are swallowed ... It seems to be shown that
the ancient people, full ... He must also be prompt to have pity, not recall a ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

Matt. xxvii. 27-29.
... For then should self-control be shown, since when there is ... This do thou also; pity
him that is insolent to ... mad, even when this is our disposition, not to care ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxvii matt xxvii 27-29.htm

Letter xix (AD 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
... you see of whose great examples you have shown yourself an ... Thus we learn not to measure
by the narrow proportions of our faith and hope the infinite pity of God ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xix a d 1127 to.htm

An Earnest Warning About Lukewarmness
... for so many years, but what a contrast now!" Pity will take ... church walk with great
care, and if she will not follow him fully by being shown wherein she ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/an earnest warning about lukewarmness.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... And herein they have shown themselves wise in their generation ... inclining to sad;
showing that you pity them for ... calm, mild; yea, where it would not appear like ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling (Second Sermon. )
... and the swift destruction of the enemies of God; but of love to the guilty, pity
for the ... He has shown to all intelligences that God will not wink at sin ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling second.htm

Book ii.
... on which account one may justly pity Alexandria, if ... as he pretends to be,] he had
not shown any uneasiness ... against God, though they be not actually accomplished ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

What does the Bible say about self-pity? | GotQuestions.org

What is the definition of mercy? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about compassion? | GotQuestions.org

Pity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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