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ἀνελεήμων

aneleḗmōn

G415 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Lacking mercy or compassion towards others; exhibiting an absence of pity or kindness, especially in the context of dealing with wrongdoing or suffering. The word primarily denotes the refusal to show mercy, forgiveness, or lenience.

Semantic Range

merciless, unmerciful, lacking compassion, without pity, cruel; refusing to extend mercy or kindness

Root / Etymology

Formed from the alpha privative (ἀ-), marking negation, attached to ἐλεήμων ('compassionate, merciful'); thus, it literally means 'not merciful' or 'merciless.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The adjective ἀνελεήμων is rare in extant Greek literature, with attestation primarily in later Koine and post-classical sources. In the New Testament, it occurs once (Rom 1:31), listing one of several moral failures characterizing unrighteousness. The term reflects a lack of the culturally prized virtue of ἔλεος (compassion, mercy) found throughout both Hellenistic and Israelite literature. In both Greco-Roman ethics and in Second Temple Jewish writings, the lack of mercy was strongly censured, often being contrasted with the positive moral attribute ἐλεήμων. Standard English translations often render it 'unmerciful' or 'merciless,' which accurately reflects the Greek term's meaning, though the full force of social and moral condemnation present in ancient contexts may be understated in modern usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from Α (as a negative particle) and ἐλεήμων; merciless:--unmerciful.

Root Family

ἀνελεήμων (aneleēmōn) — merciless, lacking compassion, refusing mercy

Root ἐλεήμ- to show mercy, to have compassion

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G415-01 ἀνελεήμονας aneleemonas ADJ.S ACC M PL unmerciful merciless ones merciless ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G415-01 Romans 1:31 ἀνελεήμονας aneleemonas ADJ.S ACC M PL unmerciful merciless ones merciless ones
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