Introduction

In Biblical studies, understanding the nuances of Greek words used in the New Testament is vital for a deeper comprehension of its messages and teachings. The Greek word ἐλεήμων (eleḗmōn) is particularly significant because it embodies the concept of being merciful or compassionate—an essential characteristic in Christian theology. This word is often used to describe God’s nature and the expected attitude of believers towards others. Moreover, studying ἐλεήμων allows us to explore how ancient Greek culture and early Christian thought intertwined, especially regarding virtues like mercy and compassion, which were highly regarded in both religious and secular contexts.

Key Information:

Greek Word:

• ἐλεήμων (eleḗmōn) [eh-leh-AY-mohn]

Etymology:

• Derived from the root ἔλεος (éleos), meaning “mercy” or “pity,” with the suffix -μων (-mōn), which is used to form adjectives that describe a characteristic or disposition.

Part of Speech:

• Adjective (First and second declension)

The F.O.G Word Choice:

• Coming Soon

Primary Meanings:

• Merciful, showing compassion or pity, especially in relation to God’s character or human actions that reflect divine compassion.
• Compassionate, used to describe someone who is inclined to show mercy or kindness to others.

Similar Words:

• ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosýnē) [eh-leh-ay-MOH-soo-nay]: This noun refers to acts of charity or almsgiving, emphasizing the practical expression of mercy through giving to those in need. While ἐλεήμων describes a merciful nature, ἐλεημοσύνη refers to the actions that stem from that nature.
• οἰκτίρμων (oiktírmōn) [oyk-TEER-mohn]: Another adjective meaning “compassionate” or “merciful,” often used synonymously with ἐλεήμων but sometimes carrying a stronger connotation of deep, emotional empathy.

Both ἐλεήμων and οἰκτίρμων describe a disposition of mercy, but ἐλεήμων is more closely associated with consistent, habitual acts of mercy, while οἰκτίρμων can imply a more intense, heartfelt compassion.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: ἐλεήμων is an adjective that follows the first and second declension patterns in Greek. It is often used in the New Testament to describe God’s merciful nature and the expectation that believers will emulate this attribute in their relationships with others. Table: Declension of ἐλεήμων (eleḗmōn) Case Masculine/Feminine Singular Neuter Singular Masculine/Feminine Plural Neuter Plural Nominative ἐλεήμων ἐλεέμον ἐλεήμονες ἐλεήμονα Genitive ἐλεήμονος ἐλεήμονος ἐλεημόνων ἐλεημόνων Dative ἐλεήμονι ἐλεήμονι ἐλεήμοσι(ν) ἐλεήμοσι(ν) Accusative ἐλεήμονα ἐλεέμον ἐλεήμονας ἐλεήμονα Vocative ἐλεήμων ἐλεέμον ἐλεήμονες ἐλεήμονα

Lexicon Insights:

BDAG:
BDAG describes ἐλεήμων as an adjective meaning “merciful” or “compassionate,” used particularly to describe God’s nature and the merciful actions expected of believers. The lexicon highlights its role in expressing the Christian ethic of mercy as a reflection of divine attributes.

Thayers:
Thayer’s lexicon explains ἐλεήμων as “merciful,” focusing on its usage in the Beatitudes, where it characterizes those who exhibit compassion as blessed and as recipients of God’s mercy in return.

Vines:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary emphasizes ἐλεήμων in the context of Christian virtue, noting that it describes the quality of mercy that should define the life of a believer. It is associated with the moral obligation to act mercifully toward others as a reflection of God’s mercy.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon outlines the broader classical usage of ἐλεήμων, noting that it was used in both secular and religious contexts to describe individuals known for their merciful and compassionate nature.

Strongs Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance defines ἐλεήμων as “merciful” or “compassionate,” emphasizing its role in passages that highlight mercy as a key attribute of both God and His followers.

Scripture References:

• Matthew 5:7 – “Blessed are the merciful (ἐλεήμονες), for they shall receive mercy.”
• Hebrews 2:17 – “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful (ἐλεήμων) and faithful high priest in the service of God.”
• James 5:11 – “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate (ἐλεήμων) and merciful.”

Classical Usage:

Summary of ἐλεήμων (G1655: eleḗmōn):

The Greek adjective ἐλεήμων, meaning “merciful” or “compassionate,” is a significant term in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature. In the Bible, it is used to describe both God’s merciful nature and the expected behavior of believers who are called to reflect divine compassion in their actions. Understanding ἐλεήμων helps us grasp the importance of mercy as a central Christian virtue and its deep roots in ancient Greek culture, where mercy was valued as an essential quality of leadership and moral character.

Did You Know?

The word ἐλεήμων is closely related to the modern English word “eleemosynary,” which pertains to charitable giving or activities. This connection highlights how the concept of mercy, embodied in the word ἐλεήμων, has influenced not only Christian ethics but also the development of Western notions of charity and compassion.