Reference: Pity
Hastings
This word is entirely synonymous with compassion both in OT and NT, except, perhaps, in 1Pe 3:8, where 'sympathetic' would better express the meaning of the original word (see Revised Version margin). Pity was regarded by OT writers as holding an essential place in the relations of God and His people (see Ps 78:38; 86:15; 103:13; 111:4; 112:4; 145:8; Isa 63:8; cf. Jas 5:11). One of the ways in which this Divine feeling became active on their behalf reveals an incipient belief in the dealings of Jehovah with nations other than Israel; for He is often represented as infusing compassion for His chosen into the hearts of their enemies (cf. 1Ki 8:50; 2Ch 30:9; Ps 106:46; Ezr 9:9; Ne 1:11; Jer 42:12). An objective manifestation of the feeling of pity in the heart of God was recognized in the preservation of His people from destruction (La 3:22 f.), and in the numerous instances which were regarded as the interventions of mercy on their behalf (cf. Ex 15:13; Nu 14:19; De 13:17; 30:3; 2Ki 13:23; 2Ch 36:15). The direct result of this belief was that Israelites were expected to display a similar disposition towards their brethren (cf. Mic 6:8; Isa 1:17; Jer 21:12; Pr 19:17). They were not required, however, to look beyond the limits of their own race (De 7:16, See De 7:9) except in the case of individual aliens who might at any time be living within their borders (see Ex 22:21; 23:9; De 10:18 f. etc.).
In the parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Jesus inculcates the exercise of pity in men's dealings with each other, and teaches the sacredness of its character by emphasizing its identity with God's compassion for sinners (Mt 18:33; cf. Lu 6:36; Mt 5:7; 9:18). The teaching of Jesus, moreover, broadened its conception in the human mind by insisting that henceforth it could never be confined to the members of the Jewish nation (cf. the parable of the Good Samaritan, Lu 10:25-37). At the same time His own attitude to the thronging multitudes surrounding Him was characterized by profound pity for their weaknesses (Mt 15:32 = Mr 8:2; cf. Mt 9:36; 14:14). Under His guidance, too, Divine pity for the world was transmuted into that Eternal Love which resulted in the Incarnation (Joh 3:16). Side by side with this development, and in exact correspondence with it, Jesus evolves out of human pity for frailty the more fundamental, because it is the more living, quality of love, which He insists will be active even in the face of enmity (Mt 5:43 f., Lu 6:27 ff.).
J. R. Willis.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And thou carriedest with thy mercy this people which thou deliveredest, and broughtest them with thy strength unto thy holy habitation!
Vex not a stranger, neither oppress him, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, for I know the heart of a stranger, because ye were strangers in Egypt.
Be merciful I beseech ye therefore, unto the sin of this people according unto thy great mercy, and according as thou hast forgiven this people from Egypt even unto this place."
Understand, therefore, that the LORD thy God, he is God: and that a true God, which keepeth covenant and mercy unto them that love him and keep his commandments, even throughout a thousand generations;
Thou shalt bring to nought all nations which the LORD thy God delivereth thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them neither shalt thou serve their gods, for that shall be thy decay.
but doeth right unto the fatherless and widow and loveth the stranger, to give him food and raiment.
And see that there cleave nought of the damned thing in thine hand, that the LORD may turn from his fierce wrath and show thee mercy and have compassion on thee and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers:
then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity and have compassion upon thee and go and fetch thee again from all the nations, among which the LORD thy God shall have scattered thee.
and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them.
For we are bondmen, and our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, and hath inclined mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, that he should give us life, and promote the house of our God, and to set up the desolation thereof, and to give us a hedge in Judah and in Jerusalem.
O LORD, let thine ears mark the prayer of thy servant, and the prayer of thy servants, whose desire is to fear thy name; and let thy servant prosper this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's butler."
But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds, and destroyed them not. Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away, and would not suffer his whole displeasure to arise.
But thou, O LORD God, art full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, plenteous in goodness and truth.
Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children, even so is the LORD merciful unto them that fear him.
The merciful and gracious LORD hath so done his marvelous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance.
Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving and righteous.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, long-suffering and of great goodness.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the LORD; and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again.
Study to do righteously, and help the oppressed. Avenge the fatherless and defend the cause of widows. Come, let us show each his grief to other and make an atonement, saith the LORD.
For he said, "These no doubt will be my people, and no shrinking children," and so he was their Saviour.
O house of David, for thus sayeth the LORD: Minister righteousness, and that soon. Deliver the oppressed from violent power: before my terrible wrath break out like a fire, and burn so that no man may quench it, because of the wickedness of your imaginations.
I will pardon you, I will have mercy upon you, and bring you again into your own land.
{Khet} Namely, that the mercies of the LORD are not clean gone, and that his loving-kindness ceaseth not.
I will show thee, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requireth of thee: Namely, to do right, to have pleasure in loving-kindness, to be lowly, and to walk with thy God.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
"Ye have heard how it is said, 'Thou shalt love thine neighbor, and hate thine enemy.'
While he thus spake unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him saying, "My daughter is even now deceased: but come and lay thy hand on her, and she shall live."
But when he saw the people, he had compassion on them, because they were pined away, and scattered abroad, even as sheep having no shepherd.
And Jesus went forth and saw much people: and his heart did melt upon them, and he healed of them those that were sick.
Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the people, because they have continued with me now three days, and have nought to eat: and I will not let them depart fasting lest they perish in the way."
Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee?'
"I have compassion on this people, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
"But I say unto you which hear: Love your enemies. Do good to them which hate you.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your father is merciful.
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, "Master what shall I do, to inherit eternal life?" He said unto him, "What is written in the law? How readest thou?" read more. And he answered and said, "Thou shalt love thy Lord God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself." And he said unto him, "Thou hast answered right. This do and thou shalt live." He, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "Who is then my neighbor?" Jesus answered and said, "A certain man descended from Jerusalem into Jericho; And fell into the hands of thieves, which robbed him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance, there came a certain priest that same way, and when he saw him, he passed by. And likewise a Levite, when he was come nigh to the place, went and looked on him, and passed by. Then a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came nigh unto him: and when he saw him, had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, and poured in wine, and oil, and put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and made provision for him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host and said unto him, 'Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will recompense thee.' Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell into the thieves hands?" And he said, "He that showed mercy on him." Then said Jesus unto him, "Go and do thou likewise."
For God so loveth the world, that he hath given his only son, for the intent that none that believe in him should perish: But should have everlasting life.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.
In conclusion, be ye all of one mind, one suffer with another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous,