Brief Overview of ἐλεέω (Strong’s G1653: eleéō)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is essential for unlocking the deeper meanings and nuances embedded in the New Testament. The word ἐλεέω (eleéō) is particularly significant because it encompasses the concepts of mercy, compassion, and pity. These themes are central to the Christian message, making ἐλεέω a key term for interpreting passages that discuss God’s mercy towards humanity and the call for believers to show compassion to others. Additionally, exploring this word offers insights into ancient Greek culture, where mercy was both a philosophical ideal and a practical social value.

Key Information:

Greek Word:

• ἐλεέω (eleéō) [eh-leh-EH-oh]

Etymology:

• Derived from the noun ἔλεος (éleos), meaning “mercy” or “pity.”

Part of Speech:

• Verb (Present Active Indicative, First Person Singular: ἐλεέω)

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Primary Meanings:

• To show mercy or compassion, particularly in response to human suffering or need.
• To have pity on, often used in contexts where someone seeks or receives compassionate treatment.

Similar Words:

• οἰκτίρω (oiktírō) [oyk-TEE-roh]: This verb also means “to have pity” or “to show compassion,” but it often conveys a stronger emotional response than ἐλεέω, emphasizing deep empathy or sorrow for someone’s suffering.
• σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnízomai) [splangkh-NEE-zoh-mai]: This verb means “to be moved with compassion,” often used in the New Testament to describe Jesus’ deep emotional response to the suffering of others. It is more visceral and intense than ἐλεέω, focusing on the physical feeling of compassion.

While all three verbs involve compassion, ἐλεέω is the most general term, focusing on the act of showing mercy, while the other two emphasize the emotional or physical aspects of compassion.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: ἐλεέω is a verb that can be conjugated in various tenses and voices. The active voice, as seen in the Present Active Indicative form, indicates that the subject is performing the action of showing mercy. Table: Conjugation of ἐλεέω (eleéō) in Present Tense Person Singular Plural 1st ἐλεέω ἐλεοῦμεν 2nd ἐλεεῖς ἐλεεῖτε 3rd ἐλεεῖ ἐλεοῦσι(ν)

Lexicon Insights:

BDAG:
BDAG describes ἐλεέω as a verb that primarily denotes the act of showing mercy or compassion, often in response to someone’s distress or need. The lexicon emphasizes its use in the New Testament to express God’s mercy towards humanity and the expectation that believers will extend this mercy to others.

Thayers:
Thayer’s lexicon explains ἐλεέω as “to be merciful” or “to have compassion,” focusing on its application in contexts where the emphasis is on active compassion and assistance to those in need.

Vines:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary discusses ἐλεέω in the context of Christian ethics, highlighting how the term is used to describe both God’s merciful actions towards humanity and the moral obligation of believers to show mercy to others.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon explores the classical usage of ἐλεέω, noting that it was used in secular and philosophical contexts to describe acts of mercy or pity, often in situations where justice was tempered with compassion.

Strongs Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance defines ἐλεέω as “to have mercy on” or “to show compassion,” particularly in the context of divine or human compassion towards those in distress.

Scripture References:

• Matthew 9:27 – “And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, ‘Have mercy (ἐλέησον) on us, Son of David.’”
• Luke 18:38 – “And he cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy (ἐλέησον) on me!’”
• Romans 9:15 – “For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy (ἐλεήσω) on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’”

Classical Usage:

Summary of ἐλεέω (G1653: eleéō):

The Greek verb ἐλεέω, meaning “to show mercy” or “to have compassion,” is a central concept in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature. In the Bible, it is used to describe both the mercy of God towards humanity and the call for believers to extend this mercy to others. The word captures the essence of Christian compassion, highlighting the importance of mercy as a fundamental virtue. Its classical usage also reflects the broader cultural value placed on mercy and compassion in ancient Greek society. Understanding ἐλεέω enriches our appreciation of the ethical teachings in the New Testament and connects these teachings to the broader Greek tradition.

Did You Know?

The verb ἐλεέω was not only important in religious contexts but also held a significant place in ancient Greek legal and social systems. Acts of mercy were often seen as noble, and kings or rulers who exercised mercy were considered just and wise. This cultural backdrop helps us better understand the weight and significance of mercy in the New Testament, where ἐλεέω is used to describe both divine compassion and the ethical expectations placed on believers.