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Matthew 5:7 Mercy me, full of mercy, mercy me
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1. Matthew 5:7 Mercy me, full of mercy, mercy me

2. George Whitfield and Celtic Kirk
George Whitfield (or Whitefield) (1714-1770) was an English itinerant preacher and evangelist and one of the founders of Methodism along with the Wesley brothers, John Wesley and Charles Wesley.
George Whitefield started an orphanage, the Bethesda Academy, in Savannah, GA, which exists to this day. Bethesda means "House of Mercy" in Hebrew. The Whitefield Chapel is still on the grounds of Bethesda Academy in Savannah, GA.

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3. Benjamin Franklin: Word of mouth
Benjamin Franklin had a printing shop in Philadelphia, PA. A statue of Franklin at his printing press is in Philadelphia and a similar one at the Masonic Homes Masonic Lodge in Elizabethtown, PA.
Benjamin Franklin heard George Whitefield preach at a revival meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Franklin did not believe Whitefield could preach in open air and be heard by tens of thousands of listeners.

While Whitefield preached, he paced towards his shop until he could barely hear what he was saying distinctly, about 500 feet. He then estimated that a crowd of 30,000 could hear him preach in open air (at 2 square feet per person). The actual number would be about 29,000 square yards, ignoring other acoustic factors.

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4. Matthew 5:7
   Matthew 5:7 
 All 
KJV: Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Greek: μακαριοι οι ελεημονες οτι αυτοι ελεηθησονται
Latin: beati misericordes quia ipsi misericordiam consequentur
Wessex: Eadige synd þa mild-heortan. for-þan þe hyo mildheortnyssa begytað.
Wycliffe: Blessid ben merciful men, for thei schulen gete merci.
Tyndale: Blessed are ye mercifull: for they shall obteyne mercy.
Luther: Selig sind die Barmherzigen; denn sie werden Barmherzigkeit erlangen.

5. Beatitudes summary
Here is a quick summary of the Beatitudes. Each starts with "Blessed are". To not be negative, most series of ARMS (Attractive Refrigerator Magnet Sermons) stop at number 6 or 7. The Sermon on the Mount then starts with "salt of the earth" and ends with the "house built on sand".

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6. Crowds and mountains
As a review, Jesus went up on a mountain to get away from the crowds and taught his disciples in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount.
Verse routeMatthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: [kjv]
Verse routeιδων δε τους οχλους ανεβη εις το ορος και καθισαντος αυτου προσηλθαν αυτω οι μαθηται αυτου [gnt]

Terrain featuresThe KJV (King James Version) translates as "into a mountain" what in the Greek is "into the mountain" (definite article) as a specific but unnamed mountain.

7. Crowds and a private briefing
As a review, Jesus went up on a mountain to get away from the crowds and taught his disciples in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount.
Verse routeMatthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: [kjv]
Verse routeιδων δε τους οχλους ανεβη εις το ορος και καθισαντος αυτου προσηλθαν αυτω οι μαθηται αυτου [gnt]

GroupsIt appears that Jesus was getting away from the crowds. Jesus had many disciples, not just the 12 remaining at the end. So the Beatitudes "teachings" are a private briefing these disciples.
Later, in John 6, Jesus starts to explain his real mission and many stop following him (for the food, healing, etc.). The 12 disciples remain.

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8. Matthew 5:7 Mercy me, full of mercy, mercy me
Verse routeMatthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [kjv]
Verse routeμακαριοι οι ελεημονες οτι αυτοι ελεηθησονται [gnt]
Verse routebeati misericordesmisericordiam … [v]

The phrase "mercy me", or more emphatically, "mercy mercy me", is an expression of surprise or alarm. It is also the name of a contemporary Christian music group. The French word "merci""thank you" is not related to "mercy".

What about "mercy" in the Bible in general and in the GNT (Greek New Testament) in particular?

We do not just want to ask Alexa (a computer voice interface) for a definition (as one pastor did on 2021-02-07 as the basis for his sermon).

9. Matthew 5: A eulogy of some blessed words on being blissfully happy
Each of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 start with the word "blessed". What does it mean to say someone is "blessed"?

Whisper chain happy to blessedThe Latin word "beati""happy, fortunate, blessed" and is the origin of the English word "beatitude" and the name of the "Beatitudes". Latin has one word as "fortunate" for which Greek has two separate words:
Observation: It is easier for a priest, pastor, etc., to wave their hands and "bless" you than to actually make you "happy".
Conflate of bless with blissIn English, both words are merged as one "blessed" and, historically, conflated with the word "bliss" which is associated with "joy".


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10. Strongs - mercy and alms

11. Usage - mercy
*G1654 *13 ἐλεημοσύνη (el-eh-ay-mos-oo'-nay) : from G1656; compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction:--alms(-deeds).
*G1655 *2 ἐλεήμων (el-eh-ay'-mone) : from G1653; compassionate (actively):--merciful.
Word usage per chapter Words: ελεημονες ελεημοσυναι=2 ελεημοσυνας=2 ελεημοσυνη ελεημοσυνην=7 ελεημοσυνων ελεημων

Mercy and alms
The Greek word for providing "mercy" is often translated as "alms" which is something, often "money", given the poor as charity. Today, the government has taken over much of what the church used to do (for better or for worse).
The English word "alms" comes from the Old English word "aelmesse""alms" which comes from the Latin word "eleemosyna""alms" which comes from the ancient Greek word "ἐλεημοσύνη""pity, compassion" which comes from "ἐλεέω""have mercy" .

The Spanish word "limosna""alms". The German word "Almosen""alms".


12. Acts 3:6 Alms and mercy
Verse routeActs 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. [kjv]

Mercy and alms
The ancient Greek word "ἐλεημοσύνη""pity, compassion". Over time, the meaning shifted from "mercy" to "money" given to the destitute "poor". Jesus refers to the "poor" or "fallen" as those who need the "Good News".

13. Acts 3:6-7 Gold and silver
After the resurrection, a beggar in the temple expects money from Peter.

Verse routeActs 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. [kjv]
Verse routeειπεν δε πετρος αργυριον και χρυσιον ουχ υπαρχει μοι ο δε εχω τουτο σοι διδωμι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου περιπατει [gnt]
Verse route3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. [kjv]

Folklore story: (paraphrased): The KJV uses "have I none" where the Greek is "does not exist".

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14. Mercy
Verse routeMatthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [kjv]
Verse routeμακαριοι οι ελεημονες οτι αυτοι ελεηθησονται [gnt]
Verse routebeati misericordesmisericordiam … [v]

Misericordia University Misericordia Heart of Mercy
The Latin word "misericors""merciful, compassionate" and comes from two Latin words.
The English word "misery" comes, through French, from the Latin word "miseria""misery" which comes from the Latin word "miser""misery".

Jesus contrasts "mercy" and "sacrifice" as in the "yoke of compulsion".

15. Hebrews 2:17 Mercy
Verse routeHebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. [kjv]
Verse routeοθεν ωφειλεν κατα παντα τοις αδελφοις ομοιωθηναι ινα ελεημων γενηται και πιστος αρχιερευς τα προς τον θεον εις το ιλασκεσθαι τας αμαρτιας του λαου [gnt]
Verse routemisericors … [v]


16. Hebrews 2:17
   Hebrews 2:17 
 All 
KJV: Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Greek: οθεν ωφειλεν κατα παντα τοις αδελφοις ομοιωθηναι ινα ελεημων γενηται και πιστος αρχιερευς τα προς τον θεον εις το ιλασκεσθαι τας αμαρτιας του λαου
Latin: unde debuit per omnia fratribus similare ut misericors fieret et fidelis pontifex ad Deum ut repropitiaret delicta populi

17. Strongs - mercy

18. Usage - mercy
*G1654 *13 ἐλεημοσύνη (el-eh-ay-mos-oo'-nay) : from G1656; compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction:--alms(-deeds).
Word usage per chapter Words: ελεημοσυναι=2 ελεημοσυνας=2 ελεημοσυνη ελεημοσυνην=7 ελεημοσυνων


19. Strongs - mercy

20. Usage - mercy
*G1653 *31 ἐλεέω (el-eh-eh'-o) : from G1656; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace):--have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on).
Word usage per chapter Words: ελεατε ελεει ελεηθεντες ελεηθησονται ελεηθωσιν ελεησαι ελεηση ελεησον=11 ελεησω ελεω ελεων ελεωντος ηλεηθημεν ηλεηθην=2 ηλεηθητε ηλεημενοι ηλεημενος ηλεησα ηλεησεν=2



21. Matthew 9:12-13 Paraphrase
Verse routeMatthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. [kjv]
Verse route9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. [kjv]


22. Mercy
Verse routeMatthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [kjv]
Verse routeμακαριοι οι ελεημονες οτι αυτοι ελεηθησονται [gnt]
Verse routebeati misericordesmisericordiam … [v]

From where does the Greek word for mercy originate?

23. Ephesians 4:32
Verse routeEphesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. [kjv]
Verse routeγινεσθε δε εις αλληλους χρηστοι ευσπλαγχνοι χαριζομενοι εαυτοις καθως και ο θεος εν χριστω εχαρισατο υμιν [gnt]


24. Ephesians 4:32
 All 
KJV: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Greek: γινεσθε δε εις αλληλους χρηστοι ευσπλαγχνοι χαριζομενοι εαυτοις καθως και ο θεος εν χριστω εχαρισατο υμιν

25. 1 Peter 3:8 Pitiful
Verse route1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: [kjv]
Verse routeτο δε τελος παντες ομοφρονες συμπαθεις φιλαδελφοι ευσπλαγχνοι ταπεινοφρονες [gnt]

The modern Greek word used for "pitiful" or "merciful" here is the modern Greek word "συμπάθεια" (seem-PA-thee-a) ≈ "sympathy" and is the source of the English word "sympathy", from the modern Greek word "συν" (seen) ≈ "together, with" and the modern Greek word "πάθος" (PA-thos) ≈ "pain, suffering, misfortune" and is the source of the English word "pathos".

26. 1 Peter 3:8
   1 Peter 3:8 
 All 
KJV: Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
Greek: το δε τελος παντες ομοφρονες συμπαθεις φιλαδελφοι ευσπλαγχνοιφιλοφρονες ταπεινοφρονες
Latin: in fine autem omnes unianimes conpatientes fraternitatis amatores misericordes humiles
Wycliffe: And in feith alle of oon wille in preier be ye eche suffringe with othere, loueris of britherhod, merciful, mylde, meke;

27. Compassion
Notice above how Wycliffe and the Geneva Bible literally translate the verse as "suffering with" but the KJV uses "compassion" as a word from the Latin.

The Latin word "compassus""to suffer together with".

The Latin word "compatientes""suffering or enduring together, sympathizing" (as used above).

28. Psalms 85:10-11
Verse routePsalms 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. [kjv]
Verse routeחסד ואמת … [he]
Verse routeελεος και αληθεια συνηντησαν δικαιοσυνη και ειρηνη κατεφιλησαν [lxx]
Verse route85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. [kjv]
Verse routeאמת … [he]
Verse routeαληθεια εκ της γης ανετειλεν και δικαιοσυνη εκ του ουρανου διεκυψεν [lxx]

An idea of the Hebrew idea of "mercy" might come from Psalms 85:10 since Hebrew has a poetry form that rhymes by meaning. The Hebrew word "חסד" (he-sed) ≈ "mercy". Both the Hebrew and Greek words for "truth" mean "reality" and not "logic" or "opinion".

Information sign More: Hebrew truth as reality
Information sign More: Greek truth as reality

29. Hebrew
חסד - mercy The Hebrew word "חסד" (he-sed) ≈ "mercy".

30. Psalms 85:10
   Psalms 85:10 
 All 
KJV: Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Hebrew: חסד ואמת נפגשו צדק ושלום נשקו׃
Greek: ελεος και αληθεια συνηντησαν δικαιοσυνη και ειρηνη κατεφιλησαν
Latin: misericordia et veritas occurrerunt iustitia et pax deosculatae sunt

31. Psalms 85:11
   Psalms 85:11 
 All 
KJV: Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Hebrew: אמת מארץ תצמח וצדק משמים נשקף׃
Greek: αληθεια εκ της γης ανετειλεν και δικαιοσυνη εκ του ουρανου διεκυψεν
Latin: veritas de terra orta est et iustitia de caelo prospexit

32. Reflection
Verse routePsalms 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. [kjv]
Verse routeאמת … [he]
Verse routeαληθεια εκ της γης ανετειλεν και δικαιοσυνη εκ του ουρανου διεκυψεν [lxx]
Verse routeTruth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. [kjv]
Verse routeאמת … [he]
Verse routeαληθεια εκ της γης ανετειλεν και δικαιοσυνη εκ του ουρανου διεκυψεν [lxx]

This verse appears to support the view, from Hebrew and Greek, that "truth" is related to what is called reality.

How does "righteousness" from "heaven" fit in the comparison here?

33. Owls and howls
Kennesaw State Owls

The ancient Greek word "ἔλεος""pity, mercy, compassion" and appears to be related to "ἐλελεῦ""woe, alas" (as a cry of pain) and would be often used twice in succession.

Note: An extended variation is reported as being used as a war cry, so not all uses appear to be "merciful".
 
What was the previous mascot name of the Kennesaw State Owls?


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34. Weeping and laughing
Verse routeMatthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [kjv]
Verse routeμακαριοι οι ελεημονες οτι αυτοι ελεηθησονται [gnt]

The fifth Beatitude in Matthew about "mercy" has a Greek word that relates to making sounds which could be "weeping" or "laughing" or some other sound. The following Beatitude in Luke is not in Matthew.

Verse routeLuke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. [kjv]
Verse routeμακαριοι οι πεινωντες νυν οτι χορτασθησεσθε μακαριοι οι κλαιοντες νυν οτι γελασετε [gnt]


35. Luke 6:21
   Luke 6:21 
 All 
KJV: Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Greek: μακαριοι οι πεινωντες νυν οτι χορτασθησεσθε μακαριοι οι κλαιοντες νυν οτι γελασετε

36. Interesting connection
There is an interesting connection between the Greek word for "mercy" as used in the fifth Beatitude in Matthew and the Greek word for "weeping" as used in the Luke Beatitude. That is, another word for "mercy" is one which means both "mercy" and "weeping" which leads to a word that means "weeping". This wrong-path translation happens a lot in modern machine translation. Such a change can happen in what is called the "whisper game".

Whisper chain

37. Psalms 51:1-2
Verse routePsalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. [kjv]
Verse routeεις το τελος ψαλμος τω δαυιδ εν τω ελθειν προς αυτον ναθαν τον προφητην ηνικα εισηλθεν προς βηρσαβεε ελεησον με ο θεος κατα το μεγα ελεος σου και κατα το πληθος των οικτιρμων σου εξαλειψον το ανομημα μου [lxx]
Verse route51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. [kjv]


38. Psalms 51:1
   Psalms 51:1 
 All 
KJV: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Hebrew: למנצח מזמור לדוד בבוא אליו נתן הנביא כאשר בא אל בת שבע חנני אלהים כחסדך כרב רחמיך מחה פשעי׃
Greek: εις το τελος ψαλμος τω δαυιδ εν τω ελθειν προς αυτον ναθαν τον προφητην ηνικα εισηλθεν προς βηρσαβεε ελεησον με ο θεος κατα το μεγα ελεος σου και κατα το πληθος των οικτιρμων σου εξαλειψον το ανομημα μου

39. Psalms 51:2
   Psalms 51:2 
 All 
KJV: Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Hebrew: הרבה כבסני מעוני ומחטאתי טהרני׃
Greek: επι πλειον πλυνον με απο της ανομιας μου και απο της αμαρτιας μου καθαρισον με

40. Martin Luther and mercy
The idea of "mercy" was an important part of what Martin Luther discovered.

The law works fear and wrath; grace works hope and mercy. Martin Luther
At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I turned to… the following words: “In it [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’” There I began to understand the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous live through a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: The righteousness of God which is revealed by the gospel, is a passive righteousness with which the merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.” Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. Martin Luther (1483-1546).

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41. Historical interpretation of church history
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 Churches 
 2 Parables 
 3 Beatitudes 
 4 Time periods 

Interpretations
☐ Literal ☐ Christian living
☐ Figurative ☐ Heresies over time
☐ Historical ☐ Prophetic details
Note that the time of Roman persecutions was that of the universal church as a collection of small "mustard seeds" while the time of Roman acceptance was that of the universal church as "tree with birds making a home in the branches".


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42. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart
Verse routeMatthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. [kjv]
Verse routeμακαριοι οι καθαροι τη καρδια οτι αυτοι τον θεον οψονται [gnt]
Verse routebeati mundo cordevidebunt [v]

Ivory Soap is 99.44% pure and it floats! That specific number appears to have resulted due to a rounding error in calculations that was then adopted as part of a marketing slogan. [chaos theory]
In the Beatitudes, Jesus talks about the "pure" or "clean" in "heart" and "seeing" God. It appears that "pure" in "heart" refers to not having any ulterior motives used to do "evil" as in "oppress" others.

The important words are "blessed", "pure", "heart" and "see"

This should be answered in the sense of the Beatitudes and not in a general or otherwise sense.

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43. End of page

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