ἐλεέω
eleeō
to have mercy
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐλεέω (eleeō) is defined as "to have mercy." This verb is used 32 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the narrative. The concept of mercy is central to the meaning of eleeō, suggesting a sense of compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. The range of usage for eleeō is broad, encompassing various contexts such as God's relationship with humanity, interpersonal relationships, and even the treatment of animals. This breadth of application highlights the significance of mercy in the biblical worldview. By examining the occurrences of eleeō, we can see that it is often associated with God's actions, emphasizing His role as a merciful and compassionate deity. The significance of eleeō lies in its portrayal of a merciful and benevolent God who desires to show kindness and forgiveness to His creation. This understanding of mercy has implications for human relationships, encouraging readers to emulate God's example and show compassion to others.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
32 total occurrences across the text
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 9:27As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”
Matthew 15:22Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”
Matthew 17:15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
Matthew 18:33Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’
Matthew 18:33Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’
Matthew 20:30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
Matthew 20:31The multitude rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on us, you son of David!”
Mark 5:19He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.”
Mark 10:47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”
Mark 10:48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”
Luke 16:24He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
Luke 17:13They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
Luke 18:38He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”
Luke 18:39Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”
Romans 9:15For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
Romans 9:15For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
Romans 9:16So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.
Romans 9:18So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.
Romans 11:30For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,
Romans 11:31even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.
Romans 11:32For God has bound all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
Romans 12:8or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 7:25Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.
Philippians 2:27For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.
2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
1 Timothy 1:13although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1 Timothy 1:16However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.
1 Peter 2:10In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:10In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Jude 1:22On some have compassion, making a distinction,
Jude 1:23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.