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
Using your powerful love, you rescued (redeemed) the people.
Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner. Remember that you were foreigners in Egypt.
Do not mistreat a foreigner. You know how it feels to be a foreigner. After all you were foreigners in Egypt.
By your great love, please forgive these people's sins, as you have forgiven them from the time they left Egypt until now.
Keep in mind that Jehovah your God is the only true God. He is the faithful God. He keeps his promise and is merciful to thousands of generations of those who love him and obey his commandments.
Destroy all the peoples whom Jehovah your God gives you. Do not look at them with pity. Do not serve their gods. For that would be a snare to you.
He executes justice for the orphan and the widow. He shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.
Do not take anything that is put under ban. If you comply (obey), Jehovah may turn from his burning anger and show mercy to you. He may have compassion on you and make you increase, just as he swore to your fathers.
he will restore your fortunes. He will have mercy on you and gather you from all the nations of the world where he has scattered you.
Forgive your people, who have sinned against you. Forgive all their wrongs when they rebelled against you. Cause those who captured them to have mercy on them.
We are servants. Our God has not been turned away from us in our prison. He had mercy on us before the eyes of the kings of Persia, to give us new strength, to put up again the house of our God and to restore its desolate places, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.
O Jehovah, let your ear take note of the prayer of your servant. Of the prayers of all your servants, who take delight in worshipping your name: give help, O Jehovah, to your servant this day, and let him have mercy in the eyes of this man. Now I was the king's wine-servant.
But he is compassionate. He forgave their sin. He did not destroy them. He restrained his anger many times. He did not display all of his fury.
But you, O Jehovah, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient, always faithful and ready to forgive.
Jehovah has compassion for those who reverence him just as a father has compassion for his children.
He let them find compassion from all those who held them captive.
He has made his miracles unforgettable. Jehovah is gracious and compassionate.
Light shines in the darkness for the upright. He is gracious, compassionate, and fair.
Jehovah is gracious and merciful; Slow to anger and great in loving-kindness.
When you help the poor (needy) (lowly) (depressed) you lend to Jehovah. He will pay you back.
Learn to do good (well) (right). Seek justice. Correct oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.
He said: They are my people, sons who will not lie to me. So he became their Savior.
O house of David, Jehovah says: Administer justice every morning. Deliver the person who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. That way I may not have to offer my wrath like fire and burn with none to extinguish it, because of the evil of your deeds.'
For the reason that I am merciful, I will make him have mercy on you and let you go back home. I Jehovah have spoken.
We have not come to destruction because of Jehovah's loving kindness. His mercies are without end.
He told you, O lowly man, what is good and what Jehovah requires of you. You should display justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God!
Blessed are the merciful and compassionate, for they will receive mercy and compassion.
You have heard it said, 'You should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (Leviticus 19:18)
While he was speaking, an official came and paid him respect. He said: By now my daughter must be dead. Come and lay your hand on her and she will live.
When he saw the large crowds of people, he was moved with compassion for them. He knew they were distressed and scattered like sheep not having a shepherd.
He saw the great crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
Jesus called his disciples and said: I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.
Should you [also] show mercy to your fellow servant the same way I showed mercy to you?'
Jesus said: I am concerned for these people because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.
I tell you who listen, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.
Be merciful even as your Father is merciful.
A lawyer stood up to test him. He asked: Teacher what shall I do to inherit everlasting life? He said: What is written in the law? How do you read it? read more. He answered: Love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your life, with all your strength and with all your mind. (Feelings and total existence) (Might and total thinking capacity) And you should love your neighbor as yourself. (Deuteronomy 6:5) (Leviticus 19:18) He told him: You answered correctly, do this and you will live. Desiring to justify himself, he said to Jesus: Who is my neighbor? Jesus answered: A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers. They stripped him, beat him and left him half dead. A priest traveled on that road. When he saw him he passed by on the other side. When a Levite came to the place he saw the man and passed by on the other side. Then a Samaritan arrived where he was. He was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn to take care of him. The next day he paid the host two shillings. He said take care of him and if you spend more I will repay you when I return. Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? He said: The one who showed mercy to him. Jesus said to him: Go and you do like wise.
For God loved the world so much, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever has an active faith in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
As you know, those who have endured are called blessed. You have heard of the patience (perseverance) (endurance) of Job, and have seen the outcome Jehovah provided, how he was very tender with his affection and mercy. (Psalm 103:8)
Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, brotherly, tenderhearted, and humble.