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NASB | Matthew 5:7 ¶ "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:7 ¶ "Blessed [content, sheltered by God's promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. |
Bible Question:
The usual use of "mercy" generally involves a power relationship between the two parties. For example, the judge treats the criminal clemency. So this beatitude would relate to how we use authority, in the family, workplace, etc. A few things I have read about this beatitude, however, interpret "mercy" akin to "compassion": mercy is aiding someone who is SUFFERING. A biblical occurence of this would be the good samaratan having mercy on the wounded traveller. Help me out here. Is the broader definition part of mercy, or only the one that has a sense of authority to it? Many of the occurences of the word "mercy" in the gospel are ambiguous to this distinction, because people are crying out "Lord, have mercy." In these cases, both senses apply, for they are appealing to a higher authority ("Lord") to respond to their suffering (illnesses, possessions, etc.). JRM |
Bible Answer: JRM, a good Greek/Hebrew dictionary will be helpful in word studies. In this case Mercy in the OT is translated from the Hebrew word Chesed and means "kindness" and "piety". Where we find the word in the NT it is translated from the Greek word eleeo which means compassion. My first thought is that a power relationship is not significant regarding the meaning of the word. It may be that your observation that mercy "generally involves a power relationship" is because, perhapse, it is in such a relationship that mercy is best illustrated, or, most often illustrated. Then again, your observation may be applied as follows: If mercy is showing or demonstrating kindness, piety, compassion to another one might argue; The one demonstrating mercy might be thought of as being in a position of power in the relationship. The power being, the ability to show mercy vs. with hold mercy. (show kindess or not show kindness) But this argument would mean, I think, that the recipient would have a degree of reliance on mercy from another. I guess I didn't answer the question, but I hope my post will move us closer to an understadning. Jeff hmmm! |