eleos

Semantic range

1. 1pity toward the afflicted
2. 2mercy shown by one with power to withhold it
3. 3the Septuagint's usual rendering of ḥesed

Because eleos translates ḥesed, its New Testament weight is covenantal rather than merely emotional. Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:50, 54) uses it of God's mercy "to Abraham, and to his seed for ever" — mercy as promise-keeping.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7) is therefore a covenant statement, and the Book of Mormon supplies its most unsettling commentary in Alma 41:14–15: "that which ye do send out shall return unto you again."

See also

• חֶסֶדḥesed
• רַחֲמִיםraḥămîm
• χάριςcharis