ἐλεήμων (eleēmōn)
eleēmōn
merciful
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective eleēmōn describes a person who is inherently merciful or compassionate. Derived from the root for mercy, it characterizes someone whose nature is defined by pity and kindness toward others. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, giving it a focused theological weight despite its rarity.
It is used to describe two distinct figures: the beatitude in Matthew 5:7 promises that "the merciful" will receive mercy, and Hebrews 2:17 applies it to Jesus, noting He had to be made like His brothers in every way to become a merciful high priest. This usage highlights that mercy is not just an action but a defining trait of character.
While often translated simply as "merciful," the word carries the sense of being full of pity or compassionate. It aligns with the Old Testament description of God as gracious and merciful, suggesting that those who show this quality reflect a divine attribute. The term emphasizes an active disposition of care rather than a passive feeling.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eleēmōn points to a deep, inner quality of mercy that defines who we are, not just what we do. When Jesus speaks in Matthew 5:7, He blesses those who show this kind of compassion, promising that they will receive mercy in return. This suggests that mercy is a cycle of grace; by extending kindness to others, we open ourselves to the same care from God.
In Hebrews 2:17, this term describes Jesus as a merciful high priest. His humanity allowed Him to fully understand our struggles and offer atonement for our sins. This shows that true mercy is not weak but strong enough to bear the weight of others' failures. It reflects God's own heart, inviting us to share in His compassionate nature.
Living out this quality means seeing people through eyes of pity and kindness. It is an active disposition of care that seeks to help those in need. As we practice mercy, we reflect a divine attribute and draw closer to the character of Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- merciful,1×
- a merciful1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐλεήμων1×
- ἐλεήμονες,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
This verse establishes mercy as a defining trait of the blessed, linking our compassionate actions toward others with the mercy we receive from God.
-
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.
Here the term describes Jesus' role as high priest, showing that His mercy is rooted in His shared humanity and enables Him to make atonement for sins.