# mercy, merciful #

## Definition: ##

The terms "mercy" and "merciful" refer to helping people who are in need, especially when they are in a lowly or humbled condition.

* The term "mercy" can also include the meaning of not punishing people for something they have done wrong.
* A powerful person such as a king is described as "merciful" when he treats people kindly instead of harming them.
* Being merciful also means to forgive someone who has done something wrong against us.
* We show mercy when we help people who are in great need.
* God is merciful to us, and he wants us to be merciful to others.

## Translation Suggestions: ##

* Depending on the context, "mercy" could be translated as, "kindness" or "compassion" or "pity."
* The term "merciful" could be translated as, "showing pity" or "being kind to" or "forgiving."
* To "show mercy to" or "have mercy on" could be translated as, "treat kindly" or "be compassionate toward."

(See also: [compassion](../kt/compassion.md) **·** [forgive](../kt/forgive.md)

## Bible References: ##

* [1 Peter 01:3-5](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1pe/01/03)
* [1 Timothy 01:12-14](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1ti/01/12)
* [Daniel 09:17-19](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/dan/09/17)
* [Exodus 34:5-7](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/exo/34/05)
* [Genesis 19:16-17](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gen/19/16)
* [Hebrews 10:28-29](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/heb/10/28)
* [James 02:12-13](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/jas/02/12)
* [Luke 06:35-36](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/luk/06/35)
* [Matthew 09:27-28](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mat/09/27)
* [Philippians 02:25-27](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/php/02/25)
* [Psalms 041:4-6](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/psa/041/004)
* [Romans 12:1-2](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/rom/12/01)

## Examples from the Bible stories: ##

* __[19-16](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/19-16)__ They (the prophets) all told the people to stop worshiping idols and to start showing justice and __mercy__  to others.
* __[19-17](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/19-17)__ He (Jeremiah) sank down into the mud that was in the bottom of the well, but then the king had __mercy__  on him and ordered his servants to pull Jeremiah out of the well before he died.
* __[20-12](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/20-12)__ The Persian Empire was strong but __merciful__  to the people it conquered.
* __[27-11](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/27-11)__ Then Jesus asked the law expert, "What do you think? Which one of the three men was a neighbor to the man who was robbed and beaten?" He replied, "The one who was __merciful__  to him."
* __[32-11](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/32-11)__ But Jesus said to him, "No, I want you to go home and tell your friends and family about everything that God has done for you and how he has had __mercy__  on you."
* __[34-09](https://door43.org/en/obs/notes/frames/34-09)__"But the tax collector stood far away from the religious ruler, did not even look up to heaven. Instead, he pounded on his chest and prayed, 'God, please be __merciful__  to me because I am a sinner.'"