οἰκτίρμων
oiktírmōn
G3629 predicate adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Displaying compassion or pity; possessing a disposition to show mercy or deep empathy toward the suffering of others. In Koine usage, especially of active, heartfelt mercy shown in response to another's distress, often with a connotation of emotional engagement—sometimes translated as 'merciful' or 'compassionate.' The term conveys more than just a restrained attitude; it typically indicates a readiness to act for the relief of others.
Semantic Range
compassionate, merciful, showing pity, characterized by mercy or tender feelings, disposed to acts of mercy
Root / Etymology
From the verb οἰκτείρω ('to have pity, feel compassion for, to pity'), which itself is derived from the noun οἶκτος ('pity, compassion, mercy'), possibly related to the root οἰκτ- indicating feelings of deep sympathy or pathos. Classical usage attests the connection to expressions of heartfelt sorrow or compassion. The suffix -μων forms adjectives denoting a quality or disposition.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, οἰκτίρμων was used to characterize someone as deeply compassionate or prone to pity, often as a virtue or desirable quality. In Hellenistic and later Jewish-Greek (LXX) literature, including the New Testament (e.g., Luke 6:36), it continues this function but can carry stronger moral or ethical overtones, often encouraging readers/auditors to emulate divine or exemplary compassion toward others. The Septuagint applies it as an attribute of God, translating Hebrew terms like רַחוּם (raḥūm, 'compassionate') or חָנוּן (ḥannūn, 'gracious'), thus infusing the Greek term with theological resonance in post-biblical contexts. In English translations, 'merciful' or 'compassionate' are common but do not always convey the emotive depth and impetus toward action inherent in the Greek usage. The term is closely related to (but stronger than) ἐλεήμων ('merciful'), though οἰκτίρμων places slightly more emphasis on the emotional source of the compassion. Rare outside biblical and Jewish Greek; not widely used in secular Koine sources.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from οἰκτείρω; compassionate:--merciful, of tender mercy.
Root Family
οἰκτ- (oikteírō) — to pity, to have compassion, to show mercy
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G3627 | οἰκτείρω | I will show compassion |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3629-01 |
οἰκτίρμων | oiktirmon | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
merciful | compassionate | compassionate | 2 |
G3629-02 |
οἰκτίρμονες | oiktirmones | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
merciful | compassionate ones | compassionate ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3629-02 |
Luke 6:36 | οἰκτίρμονες | oiktirmones | ADJ.P NOM M PL |
merciful | compassionate ones | compassionate ones |
G3629-01 |
Luke 6:36 | οἰκτίρμων | oiktirmon | ADJ.P NOM M SG |
merciful | compassionate | compassionate |
G3629-01 |
James 5:11 | οἰκτίρμων | oiktirmon | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
merciful | compassionate | compassionate |