Mercy — Meaning in the Bible
Compassion and kindness shown to someone in need or who deserves punishment. God is described as merciful, and his people are called to be merciful too.
What it means
When God reveals his name to Moses, he calls himself merciful and gracious. The psalms and prophets appeal to that mercy. Exodus 34:6–7Psalm 103:8–13Micah 7:18
Jesus shows mercy to the sick and outcasts, tells the parable of the good Samaritan, who showed mercy, and says "Blessed are the merciful". Matthew 5:7Matthew 9:27Luke 10:36–37
Key passages
- Exodus 34:6–7 — Merciful and gracious.
- Psalm 103:8–14 — As a father has compassion on his children.
- Lamentations 3:22–23 — His mercies are new every morning.
- Micah 6:8 — To love mercy.
- Luke 10:25–37 — The one who showed mercy.
- Ephesians 2:4–5 — God, rich in mercy.
Original language
רַחֲמִים ra.cha.mim
Hebrew · Strong’s H7356b · gloss: “compassion”
A Hebrew word for compassion, related to the word for womb. Psalm 103:4
A Strong’s number is a reference identifier, not a complete definition: what a word means in a passage depends on its context. Lexical data: STEPBible.org, based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
For children
Mercy is kindness to someone who needs help or who has done wrong. The good Samaritan showed mercy to a hurt man by the road. Luke 10:36–37
Study further
- Exodus 34:1–9 God's self-description.
- Psalm 103 A psalm of mercy.
- Luke 10:25–37 Mercy in action.