Brief Overview of ἐλεημοσύνη (Strong’s G1654: eleēmosýnē)

Introduction

In Biblical studies, understanding the original Greek words used in the New Testament is crucial for gaining deeper insights into its teachings and theological concepts. The Greek word ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosýnē) is particularly significant because it encapsulates the concept of almsgiving or acts of charity. This term is central to Christian ethics, emphasizing the importance of compassion, mercy, and care for the poor and needy. Additionally, studying ἐλεημοσύνη provides valuable insights into the broader cultural and religious practices of the ancient Greek world, where philanthropy and care for others were seen as essential virtues.

Key Information:

Greek Word:

• ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosýnē) [eh-leh-ay-MOH-soo-nay]

Etymology:

• Derived from the root ἔλεος (éleos), meaning “mercy” or “pity,” combined with the suffix -σύνη (-sýnē), which denotes a state or condition. Thus, ἐλεημοσύνη literally means “the state of showing mercy” or “acts of mercy.”

Part of Speech:

• Noun (Feminine, first declension)

The F.O.G Word Choice:

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Primary Meanings:

• Almsgiving, specifically the act of giving to the poor out of compassion.
• Acts of charity or kindness, particularly those motivated by mercy or pity.

Similar Words:

• φιλανθρωπία (philanthrōpía) [fee-lan-throh-PEE-ah]: This word means “love of humanity” or “philanthropy” and is used to describe a general kindness or benevolence towards others, often in a broader sense than ἐλεημοσύνη, which focuses specifically on almsgiving.
• ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosýnē) vs. δωρεά (dōreá) [do-reh-AH]: While ἐλεημοσύνη refers specifically to charitable giving motivated by mercy, δωρεά refers more generally to a gift or donation, without the specific connotation of compassion.

Both ἐλεημοσύνη and φιλανθρωπία involve acts of kindness, but ἐλεημοσύνη is more narrowly focused on helping the needy through charitable donations.

Further Insights:

• Morphology: ἐλεημοσύνη is a feminine noun that follows the first declension pattern in Greek. The word is deeply rooted in the concept of mercy, making it a critical term in discussions of Christian ethics and social responsibility. Table: Declension of ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosýnē) Case Singular Plural Nominative ἐλεημοσύνη ἐλεημοσύναι Genitive ἐλεημοσύνης ἐλεημοσυνῶν Dative ἐλεημοσύνῃ ἐλεημοσύναις Accusative ἐλεημοσύνην ἐλεημοσύνας Vocative ἐλεημοσύνη ἐλεημοσύναι

Lexicon Insights:

BDAG:
BDAG defines ἐλεημοσύνη as “alms” or “almsgiving,” emphasizing its use in the New Testament to describe acts of charity, particularly those directed towards the poor. The lexicon also notes that this term reflects a broader ethical obligation in the Christian tradition to care for the less fortunate.

Thayers:
Thayer’s lexicon describes ἐλεημοσύνη as “mercy” or “pity,” particularly in the form of material help given to the poor. It highlights the word’s significance in passages that discuss the moral duty of Christians to perform acts of charity.

Vines:
Vine’s Expository Dictionary focuses on ἐλεημοσύνη as a key term in Christian charity, noting its frequent use in the Gospels and Acts to describe the charitable giving that is expected of believers. The dictionary emphasizes the connection between this term and the broader Christian concept of mercy.

LSJ:
The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon outlines the broader classical usage of ἐλεημοσύνη, which, while predominantly associated with almsgiving in Christian texts, also appears in secular Greek literature to describe acts of mercy or kindness towards others.

Strongs Exhaustive Concordance:
Strong’s Concordance defines ἐλεημοσύνη as “compassionateness,” specifically in the sense of almsgiving or charitable donations. It emphasizes the practical expression of mercy in the form of giving to those in need.

Scripture References:

• Matthew 6:3 – “But when you give to the needy (ἐλεημοσύνην), do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
• Acts 10:2 – “A devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms (ἐλεημοσύνας) generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.”
• Luke 11:41 – “But give as alms (ἐλεημοσύνην) those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.”

Classical Usage:

Summary of ἐλεημοσύνη (G1654: eleēmosýnē):

The Greek word ἐλεημοσύνη, meaning “almsgiving” or “acts of charity,” is a crucial term in both Biblical and classical Greek literature. In the New Testament, it is closely associated with Christian ethics, where it denotes the merciful giving of alms to the poor and needy as an expression of compassion. Understanding ἐλεημοσύνη helps us appreciate the emphasis placed on mercy and charitable giving in Christian teachings and highlights its role as a vital virtue in both religious and secular contexts of the ancient world.

Did You Know?

The word ἐλεημοσύνη is the root of the English word “alms,” which is still used today to refer to charitable donations, especially those given to the poor. This connection underscores the lasting influence of ancient Greek on modern language and highlights the enduring importance of the concept of charity across cultures and eras.