οἰκτείρω
oikteírō
G3627 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To feel pity or compassion; to be moved by the suffering or misfortune of another with a sense of mercy or sympathy. Primary meaning is to be emotionally stirred by the plight of another, leading to compassion; also carries the sense of showing or exhibiting mercy in words or deeds.
Semantic Range
to feel compassion, to show pity, to have mercy, to commiserate, to be emotionally moved to mercy
Root / Etymology
From the Greek root οἰκτ-, relating to pity or compassion. Cognate with οἰκτίρμων (compassionate, merciful), οἶκτος (pity, compassion). No indication of foreign borrowing; purely of Greek origin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
οἰκτείρω is relatively rare in the New Testament (appearing only in Jude 1:22) but appears more frequently in the Septuagint, typically reflecting a Hebrew term for compassion or mercy, such as רִחַם (rīḥam). The stem οἰκτ- consistently expresses the emotional response of pity, distinguished from words like σπλαγχνίζομαι (to be moved in one's inward parts, often used for 'compassion'). In classical Greek, it denotes a deep, sometimes tragic sense of having pity for someone suffering undeservedly. In Koine period, it regularly expresses an attitude warranted by the pitiable state of another, with the expectation (but not necessity) of merciful action. English translations like 'have compassion' or 'take pity' usually capture the core sense, but sometimes fail to communicate the specifically emotional and affective nuance of the Greek. The verb is always transitive, taking a direct object indicating the one who is pitied.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from (pity); to exercise pity:--have compassion on.
Root Family
οἰκτείρω (oikteirō) — to pity, to have compassion, to show mercy
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3627-01 |
οἰκτειρήσω | oikteireso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will have compassion | I will show compassion | I will show compassion | 1 |
G3627-02 |
οἰκτείρω | oikteiro | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P SG |
I have compassion | I may show compassion | I may show compassion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3627-01 |
Romans 9:15 | οἰκτειρήσω | oikteireso | V FUT ACT IND 1P SG |
I will have compassion | I will show compassion | I will show compassion |
G3627-02 |
Romans 9:15 | οἰκτείρω | oikteiro | V PRS ACT SUBJ 1P SG |
I have compassion | I may show compassion | I may show compassion |