ἐλεημοσύνη (G1654) — Greek Lexicon

ἐλεημοσύνη

eleēmosýnē

G1654 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An act or offering of mercy, typically expressed through charitable giving to those in need; more broadly, the practice of mercy or compassion shown in concrete support, especially to the poor. In different contexts, can refer to charitable acts themselves or the material gifts provided.

Semantic Range

compassionate action, charitable giving, almsgiving, merciful beneficence, act or gift of mercy, concrete expression of mercy through support for the poor

Root / Etymology

From ἔλεος ('mercy, compassion') with the nominalizing suffix -σύνη indicating a quality or practice; thus, 'the practice or quality of mercy/compassion.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἐλεημοσύνη first appears in post-classical Greek, with rare instances in Hellenistic papyri, but becomes prominent in Jewish Greek literature (such as the Septuagint and intertestamental texts) and the New Testament. In the Greek language environment of the Second Temple period, it acquires a technical sense of material charity given out of compassion, especially to the needy, widows, orphans, or the community poor. In these contexts, it is closely aligned with the concept of righteousness (δικαιοσύνη), reflecting the significance of almsgiving in Judean and early Jesus-movement ethical teaching. Though often rendered 'alms' in English translations, the term suggests both the act and the attitude of merciful generosity, not only the object given. In rabbinic and contemporaneous Judean literature, ἐλεημοσύνη is one among several terms for material charity, and always possesses an ethical and religious dimension, distinguishing it from more general terms for 'gift' or 'donation.' In Christian writings, the term continues to emphasize the spiritual value of compassion manifested materially. The English tradition 'alms(-deeds)' captures the charitable aspect but often narrows the original connotation of merciful action and intention.

Translation Consistency

primary "charity" 3 occurrences

ἐλεημοσύνῃ primarily denotes charitable giving or acts of mercy toward the poor. “Charity” is natural, widely understood, and covers both the action and the gift (almsgiving, merciful beneficence) so it will read smoothly and consistently across contexts; more specific alternatives like “almsgiving” are accurate but less natural.

Alternatives (10 occurrences):

"acts of mercy" (5x) "alms" (4x) "act of mercy" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἔλεος; compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction:--alms(-deeds).

Root Family

ἐλεημ- (eleēmosýnē) — to show mercy, to display compassion

Root ἐλεημ- to show mercy, to display compassion

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1654-04`	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	alms	act of mercy	alms	7
`G1654-01`	ἐλεημοσύναι	eleemosunai	`N NOM F PL`	alms	acts of mercy	acts of mercy	2
`G1654-02`	ἐλεημοσύνας	eleemosunas	`N ACC F PL`	alms	acts of mercy	acts of mercy	2
`G1654-03`	ἐλεημοσύνη	eleemosune	`N NOM F SG`	alms	act of mercy	act of mercy	1
`G1654-05`	ἐλεημοσυνῶν	eleemosunon	`N GEN F PL`	of charity	of acts of mercy	of acts of mercy	1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1654-04`	Matthew 6:2	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	alms	act of mercy	a charity
`G1654-04`	Matthew 6:3	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	alms	act of mercy	a charity
`G1654-03`	Matthew 6:4	ἐλεημοσύνη	eleemosune	`N NOM F SG`	alms	act of mercy	act of mercy
`G1654-04`	Luke 11:41	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	as alms	act of mercy	alms
`G1654-04`	Luke 12:33	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	alms	act of mercy	alms
`G1654-04`	Acts 3:2	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	alms	act of mercy	alms
`G1654-04`	Acts 3:3	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	alms	act of mercy	a charity
`G1654-04`	Acts 3:10	ἐλεημοσύνην	eleemosunen	`N ACC F SG`	alms	act of mercy	alms
`G1654-05`	Acts 9:36	ἐλεημοσυνῶν	eleemosunon	`N GEN F PL`	of charity	of acts of mercy	of acts of mercy
`G1654-02`	Acts 10:2	ἐλεημοσύνας	eleemosunas	`N ACC F PL`	alms	acts of mercy	acts of mercy
`G1654-01`	Acts 10:4	ἐλεημοσύναι	eleemosunai	`N NOM F PL`	alms	acts of mercy	acts of mercy
`G1654-01`	Acts 10:31	ἐλεημοσύναι	eleemosunai	`N NOM F PL`	alms	acts of mercy	acts of mercy
`G1654-02`	Acts 24:17	ἐλεημοσύνας	eleemosunas	`N ACC F PL`	alms	acts of mercy	acts of mercy

← G1653 Greek Lexicon G1655 →