Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "pitied" in the Bible often relates to God's compassion and mercy towards humanity. The term "pitied" is used to describe the divine compassion that God extends to His people, reflecting His loving and merciful nature. This entry explores the biblical understanding of pity, its implications for believers, and its manifestation in the character of God.
Divine Compassion and MercyIn the Scriptures, God's pity is frequently associated with His mercy and compassion. The Hebrew word often translated as "pity" is "racham," which conveys a deep sense of compassion and tender mercy. This is evident in passages where God expresses His care and concern for His people. For instance, in
Psalm 103:13 , it is written, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him." Here, the fatherly compassion of God is likened to the natural pity a parent feels for their child, emphasizing the depth of God's love and care.
God's Pity in the Old TestamentThroughout the Old Testament, God's pity is demonstrated in His dealings with Israel. Despite their repeated disobedience and rebellion, God continually shows mercy. In
Judges 2:18 , it is noted, "Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, He was with the judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them." This passage highlights God's responsiveness to the suffering of His people, moved by their cries and afflictions.
The Prophets and God's PityThe prophets also speak of God's pity as a reason for hope and restoration. In
Isaiah 63:9 , it is declared, "In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and mercy, He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old." This verse underscores the empathetic nature of God's pity, as He shares in the suffering of His people and acts to deliver them.
New Testament RevelationIn the New Testament, the concept of pity is embodied in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus' ministry is marked by acts of compassion and mercy, reflecting the heart of God. In
Matthew 9:36 , it is recorded, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Jesus' pity leads Him to teach, heal, and ultimately sacrifice Himself for the salvation of humanity.
Believers Called to Imitate God's PityBelievers are called to emulate God's pity in their interactions with others. The apostle Paul exhorts the church in
Colossians 3:12 , "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." This call to compassion reflects the transformative power of God's pity in the lives of believers, urging them to extend the same mercy and kindness they have received.
ConclusionThe biblical theme of being "pitied" reveals the profound compassion and mercy of God towards His creation. It is a testament to His loving nature and serves as a model for believers to follow in their relationships with others. Through understanding and experiencing God's pity, believers are encouraged to live lives marked by compassion and mercy, reflecting the character of their Heavenly Father.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Pity.
Greek
1652. eleeinos -- pitiable... Word Origin from eleos Definition pitiable NASB Word Usage miserable (1), most to
be
pitied (1). miserable. From eleos; pitiable -- miserable. see GREEK eleos.
...Strong's Hebrew
4263a. machmal -- a thingpitied, an object of compassion... 4263, 4263a. machmal. 4263b . a thing
pitied, an object of compassion.
Transliteration: machmal Short Definition: delight. Word
...4263. machmal -- a thingpitied, an object of compassion
... machmal. 4263a . a thingpitied, an object of compassion. Transliteration: machmal
Phonetic Spelling: (makh-mawl') Short Definition: pitieth. pitieth...
2538. Chamul -- "spared," grandson of Judah
... Hamul (3). Hamul. From chamal;pitied; Chamul, an Israelite -- Hamul. see HEBREW
chamal. 2537, 2538. Chamul. 2539 . Strong's Numbers.
3819. Lo Ruchamah -- "without compassion," symbolic name of...
... Lo-ruhamah. From lo' and racham; notpitied; Lo- Ruchamah, the symbol. Name of a
son of Hosea -- Lo-ruhamah. see HEBREW lo'. see HEBREW racham. 3818, 3819....
Library
On the Fact that those Men are More to bePitied to whom it is not...
... Chapter XXXI. On the fact that those men are more to bepitied to whom it
is not given to be subjected to those temporal temptations....
The Absurdity of the Supposed Vacuum and Defect of the Heretics is...
... the Supreme Being,] inasmuch as He is benignant, did at last take pity upon men,
and bestow on them perfection, He ought at first to havepitied those who were...
The Ministry and Prayer
... prays more than ordinary Christians else he were disqualified for the office he
has undertaken If you as ministers are not very prayerful you are to bepitied....
Letter xi. --To Seek God's Help Alone.
... You think yourself greatly to bepitied, my dear Sister, because God has deprived
you of the helps that up to now He has contrived for you....
Philanthropy and Friendship.
... If, therefore, while shepitied her hostess, she alsopitied and did good to her
enemies who have wronged her, she would be philanthropic; but if, on one...
Whether the Blessed Pity the Unhappiness of the Damned?
... will"-in which sense God, the angels and the blessed are said to pity them by desiring
their salvation"-and by passion, in which way they arepitied by the...
Arria and Her Brother were Far from the Shores of Hellas and Near...
... And many years passed, and one day they sat together. "'My beloved, you are grown
old and feeble, and so am I,' said she, 'We havepitied every child of sorrow...
Jesus at the Bier
... example of unselfish sympathy such as man can exercise, what in the name of
common-sense does it matter to me how much, or how tenderly, Hepitied those past...
The Advanced Christian Reminded of the Mercies of God, and...
... the trifles of the present time and sensual gratification, was utterly ignorant
and regardless of: it saw you on the borders of eternity, andpitied you; saw...
The Story of Panthea.
... The soldierspitied her in her distress, and the leader of the party attempted to
console her, as Araspes said, by telling her that she had nothing to fear...
Thesaurus
Pitied (19 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Pity. Multi-Version Concordance
Pitied (19 Occurrences). Luke 15:20 "So he rose and came to his father.
...Unsparingly (5 Occurrences)
... 17 Jehovah hath done that which he purposed; he hath fulfilled his word that he
commanded in the days of old; He hath thrown down, and hath notpitied: And he...
Pity (165 Occurrences)
... In 2 Maccabees 3:21 we have (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British
and American)) "pitied" in the obsolete sense of exciting pity, "Then it...
Fortunes (30 Occurrences)
... I reject, Against taking from his seed rulers For the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, For I turn back 'to' their captivity, and havepitied them.' (See NAS...
Nestled (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 22:23 O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how
greatly to bepitied shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a...
Out-places (22 Occurrences)
... have young and old, My virgins and my young men have fallen by the sword, Thou hast
slain in a day of Thine anger, Thou hast slaughtered -- Thou hast notpitied...
Loruhamah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Notpitied, the name of the prophet Hosea's first daughter,
a type of Jehovah's temporary rejection of his people (Hosea 1:6; 2:23)....
Loathsomeness (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 16:5 No eyepitied thee, to do any of these things unto thee, to have
compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, for that thy...
Lo-ruhamah (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Notpitied, the name of the prophet Hosea's first daughter,
a type of Jehovah's temporary rejection of his people (Hosea 1:6; 2:23)....
Lothing (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 16:5 None eyepitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion
upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy...
Resources
Is “eat, drink, and be merry” a biblical concept? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is more important, the death of Christ or His resurrection? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus dead? | GotQuestions.orgPitied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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