What does ἐλεέω (eleéō) mean in the Bible?
G1653 is the verb for showing mercy. It names action toward someone in need or guilt, not merely a tender feeling.
Greek · G1653
ἐλεέω
To compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
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ἐλεέω G1653
Pronunciation eleéō
What does ἐλεέω (eleéō) mean in the Bible?
G1653 is the verb for showing mercy. It names action toward someone in need or guilt, not merely a tender feeling.
Reader summary
Full entry for ἐλεέω (G1653) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render G1653?
The BSB source-word alignment has 32 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Have mercy on (12), mercy (3), I was shown mercy (2), [God] has mercy (1), [had] (1).
Where does ἐλεέω (eleéō) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 5:7. Its strongest book concentrations include Matthew (8), Romans (8), Luke (4), Mark (3).
Are there verse guides for ἐλεέω (eleéō)?
This entry includes 1 verse guide that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
G1653 is the verb for showing mercy. It names action toward someone in need or guilt, not merely a tender feeling. In Romans 9, Paul excludes human desire and effort as the cause of God's saving mercy. In Romans 11, he places both Jew and Gentile under disobedience so that neither group can boast over the other. In 2 Corinthians 4, mercy already received becomes the ground for persevering in ministry without deceit or self-promotion.
The word helps teachers keep mercy free, holy, and active. Mercy is not a wage paid to the deserving, and it is not God's indifference to evil. It addresses real disobedience through God's gracious purpose and reaches its gospel clarity in Christ, through whom sinners receive forgiveness and reconciliation. Those who have received mercy do not become superior custodians of grace. They become humbled servants who tell the truth, refuse despair, and extend compassionate care without pretending that mercy removes repentance, justice, or wise protection.
How the Bible Uses It
G1653 traces mercy as God's free action toward sinners and servants. It humbles human effort and strengthens ministry that has already received mercy.
- Rom.9.16
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Paul denies that mercy rests on human desire or effort, keeping salvation grounded in God's merciful action.
- Rom.11.32
For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.
Romans 11 gathers Jew and Gentile under disobedience so that mercy is seen as mercy, not entitlement.
- 2Cor.4.1
Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
Paul's ministry does not lose heart because it has been received by mercy. The word connects doctrine to endurance.
Passage contextBook context
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It Have mercy on 12× Matthew 9:27, Matthew 15:22, Matthew 17:15, Matthew 20:30
mercy 3× Romans 9:16, 1 Corinthians 7:25, 2 Corinthians 4:1
I was shown mercy 2× 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Timothy 1:16
[God] has mercy 1× Romans 9:18
[had] 1× Matthew 18:33
had mercy on 1× Philippians 2:27
had not received mercy 1× 1 Peter 2:10
have had mercy 1× Matthew 18:33
have now received mercy 1× Romans 11:30
He may have mercy on 1× Romans 11:32
I have mercy 1× Romans 9:15
I will have mercy on 1× Romans 9:15
receive mercy 1× Romans 11:31
show mercy 1× Jude 1:23
showing mercy 1× Romans 12:8
what mercy He has shown 1× Mark 5:19
will be shown mercy 1× Matthew 5:7
you have received mercy 1× 1 Peter 2:10
Show sample aligned rows
Matthew 5:7 ἐλεηθήσονται to will be shown mercy Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural Matthew 9:27 Ἐλέησον to Have mercy on Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Matthew 15:22 Ἐλέησόν to have mercy on Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Matthew 17:15 ἐλέησόν to have mercy on Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Matthew 18:33 ἐλεῆσαι to have had mercy Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Matthew 18:33 ἠλέησα to [had] Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Matthew 20:30 «ἐλέησον to have mercy on Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Matthew 20:31 «ἐλέησον to have mercy on Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Mark 5:19 ἠλέησέν to what mercy He has shown Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Mark 10:47 ἐλέησόν to have mercy on Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Matthew 5:7
Aligned rows 32
Books represented 10
Matthew 8 Mark 3 Luke 4 Romans 8 1 Corinthians 1 2 Corinthians 1 Philippians 1 1 Timothy 2 1 Peter 2 Jude 2
Source forms
ἐλέησόν 6x eleēson Matthew 17:15, Mark 10:47, Mark 10:48, Luke 16:24
«ἐλέησον 2x eleēson Matthew 20:30, Matthew 20:31
ἐλεᾶτε 2x eleate Jude 1:22, Jude 1:23
ἠλεήθην 2x ēleēthēn 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Timothy 1:16
ἐλεεῖ 1x eleei Romans 9:18
ἐλεηθέντες 1x eleēthentes 1 Peter 2:10
ἐλεηθήσονται 1x eleēthēsontai Matthew 5:7
ἐλεηθῶσιν 1x eleēthōsin Romans 11:31
Parsing patterns
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular 11x Matthew 9:27, Matthew 15:22, Matthew 17:15, Matthew 20:30
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 2x Mark 5:19, Philippians 2:27
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular 2x 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Timothy 1:16
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural 2x Jude 1:22, Jude 1:23
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular 1x Matthew 18:33
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural 1x 2 Corinthians 4:1
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural 1x Romans 11:30
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active 1x Matthew 18:33
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
Avoid claiming...
Passage contexttheological_synthesisBook contextPastoral application
Key Verse and Form Guides
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Evidence Summary
MessiahRedemption
Greek word. Compassionate action expressing divine mercy, not mere sentiment; emphasizes concrete assistance.
Source Gloss
to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
Greek Text Appearances
Textus Receptus witness, full corpus Greek token appearances from Scrivener 1894 Textus Receptus in the full New Testament corpus.
16 of 31 Greek text appearances shown. Linked morphology labels have verse guides.
elehqhsontai
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Matthew 9:27 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
Ἐλέησον elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Matthew 15:22 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
Ἐλέησόν elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Matthew 17:15 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
ἐλέησόν elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Matthew 18:33 Verb Aorist Active Infinitive
ἐλεῆσαι elehsai
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Matthew 18:33 Verb First Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἠλέησα; hlehsa
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Matthew 20:30 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
Ἐλέησον elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Matthew 20:31 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
Ἐλέησον elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Mark 5:19 Verb Third Person Singular Aorist Active Indicative
ἠλέησέ hlehsen
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Mark 10:47 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
ἐλέησόν elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Mark 10:48 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
ἐλέησόν elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Luke 16:24 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
ἐλέησόν elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Luke 17:13 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
ἐλέησον elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Luke 18:38 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
ἐλέησόν elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Luke 18:39 Verb Second Person Singular Aorist Active Imperative
ἐλέησόν elehson
I pity, have mercy on
Read verse Romans 9:15 Verb First Person Singular Future Active Indicative
Ἐλεήσω elehsw
I pity, have mercy on
Read verseFull New Testament corpus: 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, 140,628 tokens. Data source: honza/textus-receptus (data only), with authority check against byztxt/greektext-textus-receptus.
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 32 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
aorist 22 present 6 perfect 2 future 2
Voice
active 23 passive 9
Mood
imperative 13 indicative 10 participle 5 subjunctive 3 infinitive 1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 5:7 ἐλεηθήσονται future passive indicative prospective Matthew 9:27 Ἐλέησον aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 15:22 Ἐλέησόν aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 17:15 ἐλέησόν aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 18:33 ἐλεῆσαι aorist active infinitive infinitive Matthew 18:33 ἠλέησα aorist active indicative completed Matthew 20:30 ἐλέησον aorist active imperative imperative Matthew 20:31 ἐλέησον aorist active imperative imperative Mark 5:19 ἠλέησέν aorist active indicative completed Mark 10:47 ἐλέησόν aorist active imperative imperative Mark 10:48 ἐλέησόν aorist active imperative imperative Luke 16:24 ἐλέησόν aorist active imperative imperative Luke 17:13 ἐλέησον aorist active imperative imperative Luke 18:38 ἐλέησόν aorist active imperative imperative Luke 18:39 ἐλέησόν aorist active imperative imperative Romans 9:15 Ἐλεήσω future active indicative prospective Romans 9:15 ἐλεῶ present active subjunctive subjunctive Romans 9:16 ἐλεῶντος present active participle participle Romans 9:18 ἐλεεῖ present active indicative ongoing Romans 11:30 ἠλεήθητε aorist passive indicative completed Romans 11:31 ἐλεηθῶσιν aorist passive subjunctive subjunctive Romans 11:32 ἐλεήσῃ aorist active subjunctive subjunctive Romans 12:8 ἐλεῶν present active participle participle 1 Corinthians 7:25 ἠλεημένος perfect passive participle participle 2 Corinthians 4:1 ἠλεήθημεν aorist passive indicative completed Philippians 2:27 ἠλέησεν aorist active indicative completed 1 Timothy 1:13 ἠλεήθην aorist passive indicative completed 1 Timothy 1:16 ἠλεήθην aorist passive indicative completed 1 Peter 2:10 ἠλεημένοι perfect passive participle participle 1 Peter 2:10 ἐλεηθέντες aorist passive participle participle Jude 1:22 ἐλεᾶτε present active imperative imperative Jude 1:23 ἐλεᾶτε present active imperative imperative
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Sampled Scripture Occurrences
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
New Testament Witnesses
To extend compassionate help to one in misery or guilt.
To show mercy, compassion.
Additional Occurrences
Luke 17:11–19 ἐλέησον eleéō
Have mercy
Luke 18:35–43 ἐλέησόν eleéō
Have mercy
Mark 10:46–52 ἐλεέω eleéō
to show mercy or compassion
Word Origins
ἐλεέω is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Emphasizes that salvation originates in God’s compassionate initiative. 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Paul’s salvation is framed entirely as an act of mercy, reinforcing that ministry flows from grace received, not merit earned. Romans 9:14-29
Canonical Themes
Messiah Redemption
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
G1653 presents mercy as God's free and purposeful action. Romans 9 removes the sinner's effort, desire, or ancestry from the foundation of mercy, while Romans 11 removes every ground for Gentile pride by placing all under disobedience. Mercy therefore creates humility before it creates a platform. In 2 Corinthians 4:1, Paul does not use received mercy to excuse weakness or conceal the truth.
Mercy keeps him from losing heart and commits him to an open statement of the gospel. Teachers should let the word lower pride, strengthen hope, and shape ministry at the same time. Mercy is not sentimental permission for sin, nor is it a tool for controlling who may approach God. It is God's undeserved favor in action, fulfilled through Christ and displayed in servants who speak truthfully, endure faithfully, and show compassion.
Anchor passage
Rom.9.16
Doctrinal connections
- Rom.9.15-16 - God's mercy rests on His freedom and purpose rather than human desire or effort, excluding salvation as a wage.
- Rom.11.30-32 - Jew and Gentile alike stand as disobedient recipients, so mercy destroys boasting and preserves hope for people beyond present unbelief.
- 2Cor.4.1-2 - Received mercy sustains ministry that refuses discouragement, secrecy, manipulation, and distortion of God's Word.
- 1Tim.1.13-16 - Paul receives mercy as a former persecutor so that Christ's patience may be displayed to later believers, joining salvation to witness.
- Titus.3.5 - Salvation rests on God's mercy rather than righteous works performed by us, while the Spirit gives the new life from which good works follow.
- Luke.18.13-14 - The tax collector's plea for mercy accompanies honest confession and God's justifying verdict, showing mercy received without self-exaltation.
To show mercy is the reviewed display gloss for G1653. In this Pauline-focused companion, local STEP TAGNT evidence shows about 13 Pauline use(s), with common forms including V-API-1S 2, V-FAI-1S 1, V-PAS-1S 1. The verbal forms name acts of mercy; their subjects and objects show who receives mercy and how the surrounding argument frames it.
From Old to New Testament
Paul's mercy language humbles every claim of worthiness and builds a people who live because God has acted mercifully.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain