οἰκτιρμός

From the study of Romans 12:1

Range of meaning

Pity, compassion, mercy that is felt. Often plural, 'compassions' or 'mercies', meaning many acts of mercy or mercy in its fullness.

Against the English

BSB's singular 'mercy' is fine but loses the plural. KJV and WEB 'mercies' and YLT 'compassions' keep it.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) the plural regularly translates Hebrew raḥamim, related to reḥem, 'womb': the tender pity of a parent (Ps 25:6; 51:1, 'according to the abundance of your compassions'; 2 Sam 24:14). Paul calls God 'the Father of compassions' (2 Cor 1:3).

From the study of 2 Corinthians 1:3

Range of meaning

Pity, compassion, a deep sympathy for someone else's misery that shows itself in action (BDAG: 'display of concern over another's misfortune, pity, mercy, compassion'). The plural oiktirmoi follows the Hebrew raḥamim, which is plural in form and means 'compassion'. Raḥamim is related to reḥem, 'womb'. That family link is real, but it should not be pressed into 'womb-love' every time the word appears.

Against the English

KJV, ESV, WEB and NASB have 'mercies'; BSB and NIV have 'compassion'. Modern English 'mercy' leans toward a judge's leniency: not punishing someone who deserves it. Oiktirmos is mainly feeling for someone who is hurting. Here that means people under affliction (v. 4), not offenders. 'Compassion' carries this better.

How it drifted

'Mercies' came in through the Latin misericordiae (Vulgate) and Tyndale and the KJV. In later English, 'mercy' narrowed toward clemency and forgiveness of guilt, while the Greek word is about pity for distress.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament regularly uses oiktirmoi for raḥamim: Ps 51:1 (LXX 50:3), 'according to the multitude of your compassions'; Ps 25:6; Ps 103:4; Isa 63:15; Dan 9:9, 18. The related verb translates riḥam in Exod 33:19 ('I will have compassion on whom I have compassion'), which Paul quotes in Rom 9:15. Other New Testament uses: Rom 12:1, Phil 2:1, Col 3:12 ('heart of compassion'), Heb 10:28. 'Father of compassion' (Av ha-raḥamim) is a known title in later Jewish liturgy, but how far back it goes cannot be firmly dated.

From the study of Philippians 2:1

Range of meaning

Pity, compassion, mercy. In the plural it means acts or feelings of compassion. In the Septuagint it often translates Hebrew raḥamim, which is related to reḥem, 'womb', and describes tender, almost parental mercy.

Against the English

KJV and YLT 'mercies' carry the Old Testament ring. 'Compassion' (BSB, NASB, NIV, WEB) and ESV 'sympathy' are fine. ESV's word can sound milder than the original.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint Ps 25(24):6, 'Remember your oiktirmoi, O LORD'. Paul writes of 'the oiktirmoi of God' (Rom 12:1) and 'the Father of oiktirmoi' (2 Cor 1:3). Col 3:12 combines the two words: 'splagchna of compassion'.