רַחְמָנִי
𐤓𐤇𐤌𐤍𐤉
rachmânîy
H7362 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Compassionate, characterized by mercy or deep emotional concern for others; expressing tender affection or empathy, often implying an active care for the vulnerable or suffering.
Semantic Range
compassionate, merciful, tender-hearted, full of pity, exhibiting empathy or concern for suffering, actively inclined to show mercy
Root / Etymology
The term derives from the root רָחַם (r-ḥ-m), meaning 'to have compassion, to show mercy.' רַחְמָנִי is an adjectival formation, denoting 'compassionate' or 'one who acts with compassion.' The root itself is associated with deep inner feeling or emotion, drawing analogically from the notion of the womb as a seat of compassion or tender care.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רַחְמָנִי is attested as an adjective describing a person (or, rarely, the Deity) exhibiting compassion or mercy. It highlights affective tenderness or an attitude of care and protective affection, going beyond abstract pity to a disposition actively inclined to help or soothe. The adjective is rare in the Hebrew Bible; much more common are the forms רָחוּם (rachum, 'compassionate') and רַחוּם (Exodus 34:6; Jonah 4:2). רַחְמָנִי may reflect a later or more poetic formation, and is found post-biblically with similar sense. English translations tend to render it as 'compassionate,' 'merciful,' or 'pitiful,' but the sense is rooted in empathy connected to the deep-seated emotional resonance of the root. Unlike terms for general kindness or favor, רַחְמָנִי specifically invokes visceral, emotive connotations. Later Jewish use (rabbinic and liturgical), as in the phrase 'HaRachaman,' preserves this core sense of overflowing mercy, but these are later developments; in biblical usage, the term is rare and generally descriptive of human moral character.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָחַם; compassionate; pitiful.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רחם (r-ḥ-m) — to have compassion, to show mercy, to express tender affection
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3395 | יְרֹחָם | He-will-be-shown-compassion |
| H3396 | יְרַחְמְאֵל | to El-will-show-compassion |
| H3819 | לֹא רֻחָמָה | Not-shown-compassion |
| H7348 | רְחוּם | Rechum |
| H7349 | רַחוּם | compassionate |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7362-01 |
רַחֲמָ֣נִיּ֔וֹת | rachamaniot | HAafpa |
compassionate | compassionate women | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7362-01 |
Lamentations 4:10 | רַחֲמָ֣נִיּ֔וֹת | rachamaniot | HAafpa |
compassionate | compassionate women |