רְחֵם

רְחֵם

(plural) pity

Definition

The noun רְחֵם (rᵉchêm) in its plural form means 'pity' or 'compassion.' It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Daniel 2:18, where Daniel urges his companions to seek 'mercies' (רַחֲמִין, the Aramaic equivalent) from God regarding the king's dream. While its single occurrence is in Aramaic within the book of Daniel, it corresponds directly to the Hebrew root רחם (r-ch-m), which broadly conveys deep, visceral compassion, often likened to the tender feeling of a mother for her child. This word group is central to describing God's merciful character.

Biblical Usage

This specific form is used only in Daniel 2:18, within an Aramaic portion of Scripture. The context is a plea for divine intervention and revelation. Daniel asks his friends to seek 'mercies' (רַחֲמִין) from the God of heaven concerning the mystery, highlighting a prayerful request for God's compassionate disclosure of hidden knowledge to spare their lives.

Etymology

רְחֵם is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew noun רַחַם (H7356, rechem), meaning 'womb.' The semantic development moves from 'womb' to the feelings associated with it, hence 'compassion' or 'pity.' This root is shared across Semitic languages, consistently connecting deep, internal affection with the concept of mercy. In biblical usage, the plural form often intensifies the meaning, denoting multiple expressions or acts of compassion.

Semantic Range

Though it appears only once, this word is theologically significant as it directly taps into the core biblical metaphor for God's compassion, rooted in the imagery of maternal care (from רחם, 'womb'). Understanding this connection enriches reading by showing that divine mercy is not merely a judicial act but a profound, relational, and nurturing kindness. It underscores that appeals to God's 'mercies' are appeals to His innermost character of faithful love, as frequently celebrated in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 103:13) and the prophets. In the ancient Near East, appeals to a deity's 'mercy' or 'compassion' were common in prayers and laments, often seeking favor or deliverance from danger. The use of the plural form ('mercies') may reflect a cultural idiom for abundant or repeated acts of kindness. The setting in Daniel—a Jewish exile seeking wisdom from God in a foreign court—highlights a reliance on Yahweh's distinctive covenantal compassion amidst pagan uncertainty. רַחַם (H7356, rechem) — The primary Hebrew noun for 'womb' and, by extension, 'compassion.' חֶסֶד (H2617, chesed) — Often translated 'steadfast love' or 'lovingkindness'; denotes covenantal loyalty and mercy, broader than the visceral pity of רחם. רַחֲמִים (H7356, rachamim) — The Hebrew plural form meaning 'compassions' or 'mercies,' directly equivalent to the Aramaic form used in Daniel.

Word Details