Bible Dictionaries
Pity

Holman Bible Dictionary

Sympathetic sorrow toward one facing suffering or distress. Pity was expected of friends (Job 19:21 ), kin (Amos 1:11 ), and God (Psalm 90:13 ). Enemies lacked pity (Psalm 17:10; Psalm 69:20; Isaiah 13:18; Jeremiah 21:7 ). Those guilty of idolatry, murder, or false witness were to be denied pity (Deuteronomy 7:16; Deuteronomy 13:8; Deuteronomy 19:13 ). The images of the father and shepherd illustrate God's pity (Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 49:10 ). God pities the penitent (Judges 2:18 ), the weak and needy (Psalm 72:13 ), Jerusalem in ruins (Psalm 102:13 ), those who fear God (Psalm 103:13 ), and the exiles (Isaiah 49:10 ). In judgment, God withholds pity from God's people (Jeremiah 13:14; Jeremiah 20:16; Lamentations 2:17; Lamentations 3:43; Ezekiel 5:11 ). Ezekiel pictured Jerusalem as an unpitied child denied the most basic postnatal care (Ezekiel 16:5 ). Hosea illustrated the fate of Israel with Lo-ruhamah , a child's name meaning, “not pitied” (Hosea 1:6; Hosea 2:23 ).

Pleas for pity are a common feature of healing narratives (Mark 9:22 NAS, NIV, NRSV; Luke 17:13 NIV). Pity moved Jesus to heal ( Matthew 20:34 RSV). Jesus used a compassionate Samaritan as an unexpected example of active pity ( Luke 10:33 NIV). Such active concern for those in need serves as evidence that one is a child of God ( 1 John 3:17 NIV).