οἰκτίρμων (oiktirmōn)
oiktirmōn
compassionate
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective oiktirmōn describes a person who is deeply moved by the suffering of others, carrying a sense of tender mercy. It appears only twice in the New Testament, yet its presence carries significant weight. In Luke 6:36, Jesus commands his followers to be merciful just as their Father is merciful, establishing this trait as a core characteristic of divine nature and human conduct alike.
The word shares a close kinship with other terms for compassion but emphasizes a visceral reaction to pain. Its root connects to the feeling of pity or grief over another’s distress, suggesting that true mercy involves an emotional engagement with suffering rather than distant charity. This nuance helps clarify why James 5:11 references God’s patience and mercy in the context of enduring hardship.
Translators often render oiktirmōn as "merciful" or "compassionate," capturing the blend of pity and active goodwill. The rarity of the word underscores its importance; when Scripture uses it, it points to a profound quality of character that mirrors God’s own heart toward humanity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word oiktirmōn describes a deep, visceral reaction to the suffering of others. It goes beyond simple pity to include tender mercy that moves us to act. When Jesus commands us to be merciful in Luke 6:36, He is inviting us into the very heart of God. This is not a distant charity but an emotional engagement with pain that mirrors His own nature.
In James 5:11, we see this compassion linked with patience during hardship. The Lord’s mercy sustains us when endurance feels impossible. This rare word reminds us that true faith involves feeling deeply for others, just as God feels for us. It calls us to share in His tender care for those who are hurting.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- merciful2×
- [is] merciful.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οἰκτίρμων.¶1×
- οἰκτίρμων1×
- οἰκτίρμονες1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 6:36
“Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
Jesus uses this term to define the character of God the Father and sets it as the standard for how His followers should treat others.
-
James 5:11
Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
The author highlights God’s compassion as a source of strength for believers who are enduring difficult trials and waiting on His timing.