Pitying
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Definition and Concept
Pitying, in the biblical context, refers to the compassionate response to the suffering or distress of others. It involves a deep sense of empathy and a desire to alleviate the pain or hardship experienced by another. This concept is closely related to mercy and compassion, which are central attributes of God's character as revealed in Scripture.

Biblical References
The Bible frequently highlights the importance of pity and compassion, both as attributes of God and as virtues to be cultivated by His followers. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "pity" is "חָמַל" (chamal), which conveys a sense of sparing or having compassion. In the New Testament, the Greek word "οἰκτίρμων" (oiktirmon) is used, emphasizing mercy and compassion.

God's Pity
God's pity is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the book of Psalms, we see a vivid portrayal of God's compassionate nature: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:13). This verse illustrates the tender and caring nature of God's pity, likening it to the love of a parent for their child.

In the prophetic literature, God's pity is often shown in His willingness to forgive and restore His people despite their transgressions. For instance, in the book of Joel, God calls His people to repentance with the promise of His mercy: "Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" (Joel 2:13).

Jesus' Example
The life and ministry of Jesus Christ provide the ultimate example of pity and compassion. The Gospels frequently describe Jesus as being moved with compassion for the crowds and individuals He encountered. In Matthew 9:36, it is written, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" . Jesus' pity led Him to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and teach the lost.

One of the most poignant examples of Jesus' pity is found in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Here, Jesus illustrates the importance of showing mercy and compassion to others, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries. The Samaritan's actions demonstrate true pity, as he tends to the wounds of a stranger and ensures his care.

Human Pity
Believers are called to emulate God's pity in their interactions with others. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Colossians to "put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12). This call to action reflects the transformative power of God's pity in the lives of His people, urging them to extend the same mercy and compassion they have received.

The book of Proverbs also emphasizes the importance of pity, particularly in relation to the poor and needy: "Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him" (Proverbs 14:31). This verse underscores the moral obligation to show pity and kindness, aligning one's actions with the character of God.

Conclusion
While the Bible does not provide a formal conclusion on the topic of pitying, the consistent message throughout Scripture is clear: pity is a divine attribute that believers are called to embody. Through the examples of God's compassion, the teachings of Jesus, and the exhortations of the apostles, the Bible presents pity as an essential aspect of the Christian life, reflecting the heart of God to a world in need.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pity.

2. (a.) Expressing pity; as, a pitying eye, glance, or word.

Library

A Scholar, Pitying the Blindness and Folly of those who Live to ...
... Address 55: A scholar, pitying the blindness and folly of those who live
to themselves in the? A scholar, pitying the blindness ...
/.../address 55 0 0 a scholar pitying.htm

Toplady. 7S, 6. Rock of Ages.
... thy birth, and by thy tears; By thy human griefs and fears; By thy conflict in the
hour Of the subtle tempter's power" Savior, look with pitying eye; Savior ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/129 toplady 7s 6 rock.htm

Jesus at the Bier
... Since Jesus Christ forgot Himself in pitying men, and Himself 'took our infirmities
and bare our sicknesses,' He must have been what none of us are"free from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/jesus at the bier.htm

Psalm CXII.
... For they remember that they were some time in darkness, but are now light in the
Lord. [5018] "Merciful, pitying, and just is the Lord God." It delighteth us ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxii.htm

The Bee Saved from the Spider.
... To poison and destroy. How welcome then, some pitying friend,. To save the threatened
bee! ... Could neither fight nor flee. But O! the Savior's pitying eye. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 92 the bee saved.htm

Jesus, Meek and Gentle
... Son of God most high,. Pitying, loving Savior,. Hear thy children's cry. ... Son of God
most high,. Pitying, loving Savior,. Hear thy children's cry. Amen. ...
/.../catechism 361 jesus meek and.htm

The Resurrection of Dead Souls
... So there are three things here to look at for a few moments"the dead souls; the
pitying love that looks down upon them; and the resurrection of the dead. ...
/.../the resurrection of dead souls.htm

A Parable in a Miracle
... many wearinesses and sorrows and sicknesses, to have that picture of Jesus Christ
bending over the leper, and sending, as it were, a gush of pitying love from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/a parable in a miracle.htm

God's Love for Man
... They had rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness.
His life was one of self-denial and thoughtful care for others. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm

Love and Remorse
... Whatever sad, pitying, half-tender thoughts stirred in David as he looked at the
mighty form of Saul, with limbs relaxed in slumber, and perhaps some of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm

Thesaurus
Pitying (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pity. 2. (a.) Expressing pity; as, a pitying eye, glance,
or word. Multi-Version Concordance Pitying (4 Occurrences). ...
/p/pitying.htm - 7k

Tender-hearted (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Having great sensibility; susceptible of impressions
or influence; affectionate; pitying; sensitive. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/tender-hearted.htm - 7k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... 1:8; Proverbs 4:1), and rebuking (Genesis 37:10 Numbers 12:14); at the same time,
as loving (Genesis 25:28; Genesis 37:4; Genesis 44:20), pitying (Psalm 103:13 ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Enduring (25 Occurrences)
... we call happy those who are enduring; the endurance of Job ye heard of, and the
end of the Lord ye have seen, that very compassionate is the Lord, and pitying. ...
/e/enduring.htm - 14k

Mercy (467 Occurrences)
... the desire of every living thing," the Revised Version margin "satisfiest every
living thing with favor"); (f) it shows itself in pitying help (Exodus 3:7 Ezra ...
/m/mercy.htm - 43k

Mirage (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 49:10 They do not hunger, nor thirst, Nor smite them doth mirage and sun,
For He who is pitying them doth lead them, And by fountains of waters doth ...
/m/mirage.htm - 8k

Merciful (53 Occurrences)
... the desire of every living thing," the Revised Version margin "satisfiest every
living thing with favor"); (f) it shows itself in pitying help (Exodus 3:7 Ezra ...
/m/merciful.htm - 28k

Pitieth (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:19 For the people in Zion dwell in Jerusalem, Weep thou not, weeping,
Pitying, He pitieth thee at the voice of thy cry, When He heareth He answereth ...
/p/pitieth.htm - 8k

Perversity (23 Occurrences)
... Daniel 4:27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and thy sins
by righteousness break off, and thy perversity by pitying the poor, lo, it ...
/p/perversity.htm - 13k

Pivots (1 Occurrence)

/p/pivots.htm - 6k

Resources
Who was Jezebel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me”? | GotQuestions.org

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

Pitying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Pitying (4 Occurrences)

James 5:11
lo, we call happy those who are enduring; the endurance of Job ye heard of, and the end of the Lord ye have seen, that very compassionate is the Lord, and pitying.
(YLT)

Isaiah 30:19
For the people in Zion dwell in Jerusalem, Weep thou not, weeping, Pitying, He pitieth thee at the voice of thy cry, When He heareth He answereth thee.
(YLT)

Isaiah 49:10
They do not hunger, nor thirst, Nor smite them doth mirage and sun, For He who is pitying them doth lead them, And by fountains of waters doth tend them.
(YLT)

Daniel 4:27
Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and thy sins by righteousness break off, and thy perversity by pitying the poor, lo, it is a lengthening of thine ease.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Pitying

Related Terms

Hinge (1 Occurrence)

Guide (89 Occurrences)

Door (249 Occurrences)

Doors (149 Occurrences)

Dwellings (54 Occurrences)

Pitying (4 Occurrences)

Claudius (3 Occurrences)

Place (9195 Occurrences)

Pity: The Master of the Unforgiving Servant
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