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
Thou didst lead in thy kindness this people thou didst redeem: thou didst conduct with thy strength to thy holy dwelling.
Thou shalt not treat evil the stranger, and thou shalt not press him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Thou shalt not press the stranger: and ye knew the soul of the stranger, for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt
Forgive now the sin of this people according to thy great kindness, and as thou didst lift up to this people, and even till now.
And know thou that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, watching the covenant and the kindness to those loving him, and to those watching his commands to the thousandth generation:
And thou didst consume all the peoples which Jehovah thy God gave to thee; thine eye shall not have pity upon them, and thou shalt not serve their gods, for it is a snare to thee.
He did the judgment of the orphan and the widow, and he loved the stranger to give to him bread and a garment
And there shall not cleave upon their hand any thing from that devoted to destruction: so that Jehovah shall turn back from the burning of his anger and give to thee mercy, and compassionate thee, as he sware to thy fathers;
And Jehovah thy God turned back thy captivity, and pitied thee, and he turned back and gathered thee from all the peoples, where Jehovah thy God scattered thee there.
And forgive to thy people who sinned against thee, and all their transgressions which they transgressed against thee, and give them for compassion before those carrying them captive, and they compassionated them:
For we are servants; and in our servitude God forsook us not, and he extended to us mercy before the kings of Persia, to give to us the preservation of life to set up the house of our God, and to cause its desolations to stand, and to give to us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
Now, O Lord, now will thine ear be attending to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, desiring to fear thy name? and prosper now to thy servant this day: and wilt thou give him for compassion before this man? And I was giving drink to the king.
And he being compassionate will cover iniquity, and he will not destroy: and he multiplied to turn back his anger, and he will not rouse up all his wrath.
And thou, O Jehovah, art a God compassionate and merciful, and slow to anger and great of mercy and truth.
As a father compassionating over his sons, Jehovah compassionated those fearing him.
And he will give them for compassions before all those carrying them away captive.
Light arose in darkness to the upright: merciful and compassionate and just
Jehovah is compassionate and merciful; slow to anger, and great of mercy.
He pitying the poor lends to Jehovah, and he will recompense to him his act.
Learn to do good; seek out judgment, lead right the oppressor, judge the orphan, contend for the widow.
And he will say, Surely they my people, sons that will not lie: and he will be to them for Saviour.
O house of David, thus said Jehovah, Judge judgment for the morning, and deliver him taken by force from the hand of him oppressing, lest my wrath shall go forth as fire, and burn, and none quenching from the face of the evil of your doings.
And I will give mercies to you, and he compassionated you, and turned you back to your land.
The mercies of Jehovah are that we were not consumed, for his compassions were not finished.
He announced to thee, O man, what was good; and what did Jehovah require of thee but to do judgment and to love mercy, and being humbled, to go with thy God?
Happy the compasaionate: for they shall be commiserated.
Ye have heard that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
He speaking these things to them, behold, a ruler, having come, worshipped him, saying; That my daughter has just now died: but having come, put thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
And having seen the crowds, he felt compassion for them, for they were relaxed and dispersed, as sheep not having a shepherd.
And Jesus having come, saw a great crowd: and he felt compassion for them, and he cured their sick.
And Jesus having called his disciples, said, I feel compassion for the crowd, for already they remain with me three days, and they have nothing they could eat: and I will not leave them fasting, lest they be relaxed in the way.
Oughtest thou not also to pity thy fellow-servant, as I also pitied thee
I feel compassion for the crowd, for already they remain three days with me, and have nothing they might eat:
But I say to you hearing, Love your enemies; do good to those hating you,
Be ye therefore compassionate, as also your Father is compassionate.
And, behold, a certain skilled in the law stood up, tempting him, and saying, Teacher, what having done shall I inherit eternal life And he said to him, What has been written in the law? how readest thou ? read more. And he having answered, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God from thy whole heart, and from thy whole soul, and from thy whole strength; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said to him, Thou hast answered rightly; this do and thou shalt live.Translation PDF from Google If you can fill in this text please contact e-sword Uers And he, wishing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor And Jesus having replied said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers : and having stripped him, and laid on blows, they departed, leaving him half dead. And by accident a certain priest went down in that way : and having seen him, went on the opposite side. And likewise also a Levite, having been in the place, having come and seen him, went on the opposite side. And a certain Samaritan, travelling, came to him : and having seen him, felt compassion. And having come near, he bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and having mounted him upon his own animal, he brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And upon the morrow, he having come forth, taking out two drachmas, he gave to the inn-keeper, and said to him, Take care, of him; and whatever thou spendest besides, I, in my coming back, will repay thee. Which then of these three seems to thee to have been neighbor to him fallen among rubbers.? And he said, He having done mercy with him. Then said Jesus to him, Go thou, and do likewise.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that every one believing in him perish not, but have eternal life.
Behold, we esteem those enduring happy. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and ye see the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
And finally, all unanimous, suffering together, loving the brethren, having good bowels, an affectionate disposition: