πολύσπλαγχνος (polusplagchnos)
polusplagchnos
very compassionate
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective polusplagchnos describes a quality of being full of pity or deeply compassionate. It combines the word for "much" with a term referring to the inward parts, such as heart or bowels, which ancient writers viewed as the seat of deep emotion. This construction creates a vivid image of mercy that is not superficial but arises from the core of one’s being.
In Scripture, this rare word appears only once, in James 5:11. The author uses it to characterize God’s attitude toward those who have endured suffering with patience. By calling God polusplagchnos, the text emphasizes that divine compassion is abundant and intense, offering comfort to believers facing trials.
Translators typically render this term as "very compassionate" or "full of pity." The uniqueness of the word highlights the extraordinary depth of God’s mercy, distinguishing it from ordinary kindness. It serves as a reminder that divine empathy is both profound and plentiful for those who remain steadfast.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word polusplagchnos paints a vivid picture of God’s heart. It combines ideas of abundance and deep inner feeling to describe a compassion that comes from the very core of His being. When James writes this, he reminds us that God is not distant or indifferent to our pain. Instead, He is deeply moved by those who endure hardship with patience.
This promise offers real comfort when life feels heavy. We may look at Job’s story and see how the Lord turned his suffering into a testimony of blessing. That same compassionate God watches over you today. His mercy is not shallow; it reaches into the deepest parts of your struggle, offering strength and hope where you need it most.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- full of compassion1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πολύσπλαγχνός1×
Key Verses
-
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.
This verse uniquely applies polusplagchnos to God, linking His abundant compassion directly to the perseverance of Job.