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Greek · G1653 · unreviewed

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?

ἐλεέω (eleéō) is a Greek word meaning "to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)". ἐλεέω (in Rom. Emphasizes that salvation originates in God’s compassionate initiative. This term runs through the canonical themes of Messiah, Redemption.

Full entry for ἐλεέω (G1653) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
Extended definition

Compassionate action expressing divine mercy, not mere sentiment; emphasizes concrete assistance.

(in Rom.9:16, Ju 22, -άω, which see), -ῶ (ἔλεος), [in LXX (Hex, Pss, Pr) chiefly for חָנַן, also frequently in Proph. for רָחַם, etc. ;] to have pity or mercy on, to show mercy: absol., Rom.9:16 12:8; with accusative, Mat.9:27 15:22 17:15 18:33 20:30-31, Mrk.5:19 10:47-48, Luk.16:24 17:13 18:38-39 Rom.9:15, 18 11:32, Php.2:27, Ju 22. Pass., to have pity or mercy shown one (EV, obtain mercy): Mat.5:7, Rom.11:30-31, 1Co.7:25, 2Co.4:1, 1Ti.1:13 1:16, 1Pe.2:10.

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith
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
Discourse Aspect

How this verb appears across 32 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).

Aspect
completed 7 ongoing 1 prospective 2 imperative 13 subjunctive 3 infinitive 1 participle 5
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)

Canonical Themes
Messiah Redemption
Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses
1 Timothy 1:12-17 mercy eleéō
To extend compassionate help to one in misery or guilt.
Romans 9:14-29 ἐλεέω eleéō
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 Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Luke 17 — Faithful Servants, Grateful Cleansing, and the Coming Kingdom Luke 18 — Persistent Faith, Humble Mercy, and the King on the Road to Jerusalem Mark 10 — The Way of the Servant King: Marriage, Children, Wealth, Cross, Ransom, and Sight Mark 5 — The Authority of Jesus over Demons, Disease, and Death Matthew 15 — Tradition, the Heart, Gentile Faith, and the Compassionate Bread of the Messiah Matthew 17 — The Glory of the Son, the Coming of Elijah, the Failure of Little Faith, and the Son’s Humble Freedom Matthew 18 — Kingdom Humility, Care for the Little Ones, Discipline, and Forgiveness in Christ’s Community Matthew 20 — The First-Last Kingdom, the Ransom-Giving Son of Man, and Mercy for the Blind Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest Romans 11 — The Remnant, the Grafted Gentiles, and the Mercy of God Toward Israel Romans 12 — Living Sacrifices, Renewed Minds, Humble Service, and Love Without Hypocrisy Romans 9 — God’s Faithfulness, Sovereign Mercy, and Israel’s Stumbling Over Christ

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

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

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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