Mercy in the Bible
Mercy is compassion in action — withholding deserved judgment and giving undeserved care. The Hebrew racham comes from the word for womb: a parent's gut-level tenderness. The Greek eleos is the cry of the blind man and the heart of God.
Greek & Hebrew words
Greek (New Testament)
Key KJV verses
All verses →Lamentations 3:22
“It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”Read in context
Ephesians 2:4
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.”Read in context
Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”Read in context
Racham: womb-deep compassion
Racham (H7355) shares its root with rechem, the word for womb. It pictures the involuntary, gut-level compassion a parent feels for a child.
Eleos and hesed: covenant mercy
When the Septuagint translates hesed into Greek, it most often chooses eleos (G1656). Old Testament covenant love becomes New Testament mercy in the gospels and epistles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between grace and mercy?
Mercy withholds the punishment we deserve; grace gives us the favor we do not deserve. Both meet in the cross.
What is the Hebrew word for mercy?
Two main words: racham (H7355), tender compassion, and hesed (H2617), steadfast covenant love.