ἵλεως (hileōs)
hileōs
propitious/gracious
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective hileōs describes a state of being propitious or merciful, often translated as "gracious" in contexts where divine favor is extended to those who deserve judgment. It conveys the idea of a deity turning away wrath and becoming favorable toward a person. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, yet it carries significant weight in how characters interact with Jesus and how the New Testament authors interpret Old Testament promises.
One notable occurrence is in Matthew 16:22, where Peter rebukes Jesus after He predicts His death. Peter’s exclamation, "Hileōs soi," essentially means "God be merciful to you" or "Far be it from You." Here, the word highlights a human instinct to avoid suffering and divine judgment, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ mission to bear that burden. The second instance is in Hebrews 8:12, quoting Jeremiah 31:34, where God declares He will be hileōs (merciful) to their unrighteousness. This usage connects the word directly to the concept of forgiveness and the removal of sin’s guilt.
The term’s root is linked to sacrifice and appeasement in ancient Greek thought, but in Scripture, it emphasizes God’s initiative in showing mercy. It is not merely a feeling but an action that changes the relationship between God and humanity. Translators often render it as "merciful" or "gracious," capturing the essence of divine favor that overcomes human failure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hileōs paints a picture of divine favor turning away from judgment. It describes God as gracious, choosing to show mercy when justice might demand otherwise. This is not just a gentle feeling but a decisive act of love that restores broken relationships. When we read this term, we see the heart of God reaching out to heal rather than condemn.
In Matthew 16:22, Peter uses this word to urge Jesus away from suffering, reflecting our natural desire to avoid pain. Yet Jesus’ path shows us that true mercy often involves bearing the burden we cannot carry alone. Hebrews 8:12 reminds us that God’s promise is to be merciful to our unrighteousness and forget our sins. This assurance gives us hope, knowing that our failures do not define our standing with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- merciful1×
- Far be it1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἵλεώς1×
- ἵλεως1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 16:22
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
Peter uses this term to express a human desire to spare Jesus from suffering, highlighting the tension between avoiding pain and accepting God's redemptive plan.
-
Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.”
This verse quotes Jeremiah to show God’s covenant promise to actively forgive sins and remove their guilt, demonstrating His merciful nature toward His people.