ἔλεος
eleos
mercy
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἔλεος (eleos) is a concept of mercy, as seen in its definition. This term appears 27 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the narrative. The frequency of its occurrence suggests that mercy is a significant theme in the biblical story. In its usage, ἔλεος often conveys a sense of compassion, kindness, and benevolence, particularly in situations where individuals are suffering or in need. This can be seen in contexts where God shows mercy to his people, such as in times of exile or persecution. The word also implies a sense of forgiveness and pardon, as when God extends mercy to those who have sinned. The significance of ἔλεος lies in its portrayal of God's character as a merciful and loving deity. This concept highlights the idea that God's actions are guided by compassion and kindness, rather than solely by justice or punishment. By emphasizing mercy, the biblical narrative offers a nuanced understanding of God's nature and encourages readers to approach Him with humility and trust.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
27 total occurrences across the text
But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Matthew 12:7But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
Matthew 23:23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.
Luke 1:50His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
Luke 1:54He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
Luke 1:58Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
Luke 1:72to show mercy toward our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
Luke 1:78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the dawn from on high will visit us,
Luke 10:37He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Romans 9:23and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,
Romans 11:31even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.
Romans 15:9and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.”
Galatians 6:16As many as walk by this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on God’s Israel.
Ephesians 2:4But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
1 Timothy 1:2to Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Timothy 1:16May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
2 Timothy 1:18(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.
Titus 3:5not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Hebrews 4:16Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
James 2:13For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
2 John 1:3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Jude 1:2Mercy to you and peace and love be multiplied.
Jude 1:21Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.