Bible Dictionary: Merciful

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Disposed to pity and spare offenders; unwilling to punish.

2. (a.) Unwilling to give pain; compassionate.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

MERCY; MERCIFUL

mur'-si, mur'-si-fool (checedh, racham, chanan; eleos, eleeo, oiktirmos): "Mercy" is a distinctive Bible word characterizing God as revealed to men.

In the Old Testament it is most often the translation of checedh, "kindness," "loving-kindness" (see LOVINGKINDNESS), but rachamim, literally, "bowels" (the sympathetic region), and chanan, "to be inclined to," "to be gracious," are also frequently translated "mercy"; eleos, "kindness," "beneficence," and eleeo, "to show kindness," are the chief words rendering "mercy" in the New Testament; oiktirmos, "pity," "compassion," occurs a few times, also oiktirmon, "pitiful," eleemon, "kind," "compassionate," twice; hileos, "forgiving," and anileos, "not forgiving," "without mercy," once each (Hebrews 8:12 James 2:13).

(1) Mercy is

(a) an essential quality of God (Exodus 34:6, 7 Deuteronomy 4:31 Psalm 62:12, etc.); it is His delight (Micah 7:18, 20 Psalm 52:8); He is "the Father of mercies" (2 Corinthians 1:3), "rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4), "full of pity, and merciful" (James 5:11);

(b) it is associated with forgiveness (Exodus 34:7 Numbers 14:18 1 Timothy 1:13, 16);

(c) with His forbearance (Psalm 145:8, "Yahweh is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great lovingkindness"; compare Romans 2:4; Romans 11:32);

(d) with His covenant (1 Kings 8:23 Nehemiah 1:5), with His justice (Psalm 101:1), with His faithfulness (Psalm 89:24), with His truth (Psalm 108:4); mercy and truth are united in Proverbs 3:3; Proverbs 14:22, etc. (in Psalm 85:10 we have "Mercy and truth are met together");

(e) it goes forth to all (Psalm 145:9, "Yahweh is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works"; compare 145:16, "Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest 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 9:9 f), supremely in Christ and His salvation (Luke 1:50, 54, 58 Ephesians 2:4);

(g) it is abundant, practically infinite (Psalm 86:5, 15; Psalm 119:64);

(h) it is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34, 41 Ezra 3:11 Psalm 100:5; 136 repeatedly).

(2) "Mercy" is used of man as well as of God, and is required on man's part toward man and beast (Deuteronomy 25:4 Psalm 37:21; Psalm 109:16 Proverbs 12:10 Daniel 4:27 Micah 6:8 Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy"; 25:31-46; Luke 6:36, "Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful"; Luke 10:30, the Good Samaritan; Luke 14:12-16 James 3:17).

(3) In the New Testament "mercy" (eleos, usually the Septuagint translation of checedh) is associated with "grace" (charis) in the apostolical greetings and elsewhere. Trench points out that the difference between them is that the freeness of God's love is the central point of charis, while eleos has in view misery and its relief; charis is His free grace and gift displayed in the forgiveness of sins-extended to men as they are guilty; His eleos (is extended to them) as they are miserable. The lower creation may be the object of His mercy (eleos), but man alone of His grace (charis); he alone needs it and is capable of receiving it (Synonyms of the New Testament, 163).

(4) From all the foregoing it will be seen that mercy in God is not merely His pardon of offenders, but His attitude to man, and to the world generally, from which His pardoning mercy proceeds. The frequency with which mercy is enjoined on men is specially deserving of notice, with the exclusion of the unmerciful from sonship to the all-merciful Father and from the benefits of His mercifulness. Shakespeare's question, "How canst thou hope for mercy rendering none?" is fully warranted by our Lord's teaching and by Scripture in general; compare especially the parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35).

(5) As the rule, the American Standard Revised Version has "lovingkindness" for "mercy" when checedh is used of God, and "kindness" when it is used of men in relation to each other. "Compassion" (translation of racham) is also in several instances substituted for "mercy" (Isaiah 9:17; Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 27:11 Jeremiah 13:14; Jeremiah 30:18), also "goodness" (translation of checedh referring to man) (Hosea 4:1; Hosea 6:6).

W. L. Walker

Greek

3629. oiktirmon -- merciful
... merciful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: oiktirmon Phonetic Spelling:
(oyk-tir'-mone) Short Definition: compassionate, merciful Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3629.htm - 7k

1655. eleemon -- merciful
... merciful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eleemon Phonetic Spelling:
(el-eh-ay'-mone) Short Definition: full of pity, merciful Definition: full of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1655.htm - 6k

2436. hileos -- propitious
... Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hileos Phonetic Spelling: (hil'-eh-oce) Short
Definition: propitious, forgiving Definition: propitious, forgiving, merciful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2436.htm - 7k

2433. hilaskomai -- to be propitious, make propitiation for
... Word Origin from the same as hileos Definition to be propitious, make propitiation
for NASB Word Usage make propitiation (1), merciful (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2433.htm - 7k

1652. eleeinos -- pitiable
... pitiable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eleeinos Phonetic Spelling:
(el-eh-i-nos') Short Definition: merciful, pitiful Definition: merciful, pitiful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1652.htm - 6k

2155. eusplagchnos -- tenderhearted, compassionate
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eusplagchnos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-splangkh-nos) Short Definition: tender-hearted, merciful Definition: tender ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2155.htm - 7k

2815. Klemes -- Clement, a Christian at Philippi
... Clement. Of Latin origin; merciful; Clemes (ie Clemens), a Christian -- Clement.
(klementos) -- 1 Occurrence. 2814, 2815. Klemes. 2816 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2815.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

2616. chacad -- to be good, kind
... chacad. 2616a . to be good, kind. Transliteration: chacad Phonetic Spelling:
(khaw-sad') Short Definition: merciful. show self merciful, put to shame ...
/hebrew/2616.htm - 5k

7349. rachum -- compassionate
... Word Origin from the same as rechem Definition compassionate NASB Word Usage
compassionate (11), merciful (2). full of compassion, merciful. ...
/hebrew/7349.htm - 6k

3722. kaphar -- to cover over, pacify, make propitiation
... appease, make an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify,
pardon, A primitive root; to cover (specifically with ...
/hebrew/3722.htm - 5k

2617. checed -- goodness, kindness
... Definition: favour. favor, good deed, kindly, loving-kindness, merciful
kindness, mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing From chacad ...
/hebrew/2617.htm - 5k

2551. chemlah -- compassion, mercy
... Word Origin from chamal Definition compassion, mercy NASB Word Usage compassion
(1), mercy (1). merciful, pity. From chamal; commiseration -- merciful, pity. ...
/hebrew/2551.htm - 6k

2623. chasid -- kind, pious
... ungodly* (1). godly man, good, holy one, merciful, saint, ungodly. From chacad;
properly, kind, ie (religiously) pious (a saint) -- godly ...
/hebrew/2623.htm - 6k

7355. racham -- to love, have compassion
... compassion (2), surely have mercy (1). have compassion on, upon, love, find,
have, obtain, show merciful, on,. A primitive root; to fondle ...
/hebrew/7355.htm - 6k

2603. chanan -- to show favor, be gracious
... ie Move to favor by petition) -- beseech, X fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able),
be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew ...
/hebrew/2603.htm - 6k

2617a. chesed -- goodness, kindness
... 7), kindness (32), kindnesses (1), loveliness (1), lovingkindness (176),
lovingkindnesses (7), loyal deeds (1), loyalty (6), mercies (1), merciful (2), mercy ( ...
/hebrew/2617a.htm - 6k

Library

The Merciful
... XXVI THE MERCIFUL. Matthew v.7. Whom does Jesus call the blessed people? ... The merciful
man will get mercy when he needs it." That {68} would not be the truth. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xxvi the merciful.htm

A Last Merciful Warning
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS A LAST MERCIFUL WARNING. 'And the Lord said unto Moses,
Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a last merciful warning.htm

God Merciful in Affliction.
... SUBMISSION AND RELIANCE. 631. " God Merciful in Affliction. 631. LM Bowring.
God Merciful in Affliction. 1 Mysterious are the ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/631 god merciful in.htm

"'tis Good to be Merciful. "
... PHILANTHROPIC SUBJECTS. 804. " "'Tis good to be merciful.". 804. LM Miss
Weston. "'Tis good to be merciful.". 1 'Tis good to weep ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/804 tis good to.htm

God is not Only Supremely Merciful, but Also Supremely Just. ...
... Second Head of Doctrine Article 1 God is not only supremely merciful, but also
supremely just.� God is not only supremely merciful, but also supremely just. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/article 1 god is not.htm

God's Merciful Guardianship of his People. --Ps. Xci.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CXLV. God's merciful Guardianship of his People."Ps. xci. ... James
Montgomery. God's merciful Guardianship of his People."Psalm 91.p>. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cxlv gods merciful guardianship.htm

Is not God Then Also Merciful?
... Lord's Day 4 Question 11 Is not God then also merciful? Is not God then
also merciful? God is indeed merciful, [36] but also just ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 11 is not god.htm

Ci to My Most Merciful, My Most Loving, and Dearly-Loved Redeemer
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CI To my most merciful, my most
loving, and dearly-loved REDEEMER. To my most merciful, my ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ci to my most merciful.htm

God Just as Well as Merciful; Accordingly, Mercy must not be ...
... Chapter II."God Just as Well as Merciful; Accordingly, Mercy Must Not Be
Indiscriminate. "But," say they, "God is good,' and most ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter ii god just as well.htm

Petilianus Said: "Blessed are the Merciful: for they Shall Obtain ...
... Book II. Chapter 67. " 149. Petilianus said: "Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.� "149. Petilianus said ...
/.../chapter 67 149 petilianus.htm

Thesaurus

Merciful (53 Occurrences)
... unwilling to punish. 2. (a.) Unwilling to give pain; compassionate. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MERCY; MERCIFUL. mur'-si, mur ...
/m/merciful.htm - 28k

Compassionate (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Having a temper or disposition to pity; sympathetic;
merciful. 2. (a.) Complaining; inviting pity; pitiable. ...
/c/compassionate.htm - 12k

Mercy (467 Occurrences)
... help. 4. (n.) A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or favor.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MERCY; MERCIFUL. mur ...
/m/mercy.htm - 43k

Abounding (28 Occurrences)
... Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant
in loving kindness and truth, (See NAS RSV NIV). Numbers ...
/a/abounding.htm - 14k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). 2 Samuel 22:26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. ...
(See NAS). Psalms 18:25 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. ...
/l/loyal.htm - 11k

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD
God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth ...
/l/long-suffering.htm - 13k

Slow (43 Occurrences)
... Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving
kindness and truth, (WEB ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/slow.htm - 21k

Tune (15 Occurrences)
... Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. ... Be merciful to me,
God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. ...
/t/tune.htm - 12k

Miktam (6 Occurrences)
... Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. ... Be merciful to me,
God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. ...
/m/miktam.htm - 8k

Poem (6 Occurrences)
... Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. ... Be merciful to me,
God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. ...
/p/poem.htm - 8k

Bible Concordance

Merciful (53 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Matthew 6:2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
(WEB)

Matthew 6:3 But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does,
(WEB)

Matthew 6:4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
(WEB)

Luke 1:54 His help he has given to Israel, his servant, so that he might keep in mind his mercy to Abraham and his seed for ever,
(See NIV)

Luke 6:36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV)

Ephesians 1:9 when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose
(WEY)

Hebrews 2:17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

James 2:13 For the man who has had no mercy will be judged without mercy, but mercy takes pride in overcoming judging.
(See NIV)

James 5:11 Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.
(ASV NAS RSV)

Genesis 19:16 But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife's hand, and his two daughters' hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Exodus 34:6 Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, "Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Deuteronomy 4:31 for Yahweh your God is a merciful God; he will not fail you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 21:8 Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.
(KJV WBS)

Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
(KJV WBS)

2 Samuel 22:26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

1 Kings 20:31 His servants said to him, "See now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth on our bodies, and ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. Maybe he will save your life."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 30:9 For if you turn again to Yahweh, your brothers and your children shall find compassion before those who led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Nehemiah 9:17 and refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn't forsake them.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Nehemiah 9:31 Nevertheless in your manifold mercies you did not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for you are a gracious and merciful God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Psalms 4:1 <To the chief music-maker on corded instruments. A Psalm. Of David.> Give answer to my cry, O God of my righteousness; make me free from my troubles; have mercy on me, and give ear to my prayer.
(See NIV)

Psalms 18:25 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Psalms 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. Redeem me, and be merciful to me.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NIV)

Psalms 27:7 O Lord, let the voice of my cry come to your ears: have mercy on me, and give me an answer.
(See NIV)

Psalms 30:10 Give ear to me, O Lord, and have mercy on me: Lord, be my helper.
(See NIV)

Psalms 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 41:4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 41:10 But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 56:1 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Silent Dove in Distant Lands." A poem by David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS NIV)

Psalms 57:1 For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Psalms 59:5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
(KJV ASV WBS)

Psalms 67:1 For the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Psalms 77:9 Hath God forgotten 'His' favours? Hath He shut up in anger His mercies? Selah.
(See NIV)

Psalms 78:38 But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn't destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn't stir up all his wrath.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NIV)

Psalms 86:3 Be merciful to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Psalms 86:15 But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Psalms 103:8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Psalms 111:4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered. Yahweh is gracious and merciful.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT RSV)

Psalms 112:4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT RSV)

Psalms 116:5 Yahweh is Gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Psalms 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 119:58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Psalms 119:76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 119:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
(KJV WBS)

Psalms 145:8 Yahweh is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Jeremiah 3:12 Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, you backsliding Israel, says Yahweh; I will not look in anger on you; for I am merciful, says Yahweh, I will not keep anger forever.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Lamentations 4:10 The hands of merciful women have boiled their own children, They have been for food to them, In the destruction of the daughter of my people.
(YLT)

Joel 2:13 Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Jonah 4:2 He prayed to Yahweh, and said, "Please, Yahweh, wasn't this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Subtopics

Merciful

Related Terms

Compassionate (22 Occurrences)

Mercy (467 Occurrences)

Abounding (28 Occurrences)

Loyal (15 Occurrences)

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)

Slow (43 Occurrences)

Tune (15 Occurrences)

Miktam (6 Occurrences)

Poem (6 Occurrences)