Original Word: חֶמְלָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: chemlah
Pronunciation: khem-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (khem-law')
Definition: Compassion, Pity, Mercy
Meaning: commiseration

merciful, pity

From chamal; commiseration -- merciful, pity.

see HEBREW chamal

Word Origin
from chamal
Definition
compassion, mercy
NASB Translation
compassion (1), mercy (1).

[חֶמְלָה] noun feminine compassion, mercy, of ׳י (strictly Infinitive form from חמל, see Ges^{§ 45}, 1 b) — construct עָלָיו ׳בְּחֶמְלַת י Genesis 19:16 (J), בְּאַהֲבָתוֺ וּבְחֶמְלָתוֺ גְאָלָם Isaiah 63:9.

חֻמְלָה see חמל Infinitive above

Word Origin: Derived from the root חָמַל (chamal), which means to spare, have compassion, or show mercy.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 3628: οἰκτιρμός (oiktirmos) • compassion, pity, mercy.
• Strong's Greek Number 4698: σπλάγχνον (splagchnon) • bowels, compassion, tender mercy.

These Greek terms capture similar nuances of compassion and mercy as found in the Hebrew חֶמְלָה, emphasizing the continuity of this theme across both the Old and New Testaments.

Usage: The word חֶמְלָה is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe an emotional response of compassion or pity, often resulting in merciful actions. It is typically used in contexts where someone is moved to spare or show kindness to another.

Context: חֶמְלָה (chemlah) is a noun that appears in the Hebrew Bible to express the concept of compassion or pity. It is closely related to the verb חָמַל (chamal), which means to spare or have compassion. This term is used to describe the emotional response that leads to merciful actions, often in situations where someone is in distress or facing judgment.

In the biblical narrative, חֶמְלָה is often associated with God's merciful nature, as well as the expected behavior of His followers. It underscores the importance of empathy and kindness in human relationships and divine interactions. The concept of חֶמְלָה is integral to understanding the character of God as compassionate and forgiving, as well as the ethical expectations placed upon individuals to act with mercy towards others.

An example of its usage can be found in the context of divine mercy, where God is described as having חֶמְלָה on His people, sparing them from deserved punishment due to His compassionate nature. This term highlights the tension between justice and mercy, illustrating the biblical theme of God's willingness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him.

בְּחֶמְלַ֥ת בחמלת וּבְחֶמְלָת֖וֹ ובחמלתו bə·ḥem·laṯ bechemLat bəḥemlaṯ ū·ḇə·ḥem·lā·ṯōw ūḇəḥemlāṯōw uvechemlaToInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts