Original Word: ἀνιλεής
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: anileós
Pronunciation: an-ee-leh-OS
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ee'-leh-oce)
Definition: without mercy, merciless.
Meaning: Without mercy, unmerciful.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek prefix ἀ- (a-, "not") and ἵλεως (hileōs, "merciful" or "propitious").

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of being unmerciful in the Hebrew Bible can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey a lack of compassion or mercy. While there is no direct one-to-one correspondence, the following Hebrew entries capture similar ideas:
• Strong's Hebrew 2617 (חֶסֶד, chesed): Often translated as "mercy" or "lovingkindness," the absence of chesed would imply a lack of mercy.
• Strong's Hebrew 7355 (רָחַם, racham): Meaning "to have compassion" or "to show mercy," its negation would align with the concept of being unmerciful.

These Hebrew terms reflect the broader biblical theme of mercy as a divine attribute and a moral imperative for God's people. The absence of such qualities, as indicated by ἀνιλεής, is thus seen as a deviation from the expected conduct of those who seek to live in accordance with God's will.

Usage: The term ἀνιλεής is used in the New Testament to describe a lack of mercy or compassion. It is often associated with a harsh or unforgiving attitude.

Context: The Greek word ἀνιλεής appears in the New Testament in contexts that emphasize the absence of mercy or compassion. It is a term that highlights the severity of judgment or the harshness of an attitude that lacks forgiveness. In the Berean Standard Bible, ἀνιλεής is used in Romans 1:31, where the Apostle Paul describes the characteristics of those who have turned away from God. The passage lists various sinful behaviors and attitudes, including being "unmerciful," as evidence of a depraved mind. This usage underscores the moral decline that results from rejecting divine truth and the natural law written on human hearts.

The concept of mercy is central to biblical teaching, with God often depicted as merciful and compassionate. The absence of mercy, therefore, is portrayed as a significant moral failing. In the broader biblical narrative, mercy is a key attribute of God, and His followers are called to emulate this characteristic. The use of ἀνιλεής serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of living contrary to God's nature and commands.

448 aníleōs (from 1 /A, "without" and 2436 /híleōs, "propitious, appeased") – properly, without propitiation (divine appeasement), i.e. without the mercy of God's covenant-loyalty through Christ.

Word Origin
variant reading for aneleos, q.v.

STRONGS NT 448: ἀνίλεως

ἀνίλεως, ἀνιλεων, genitive ἀνιλέω (ἵλεως, Attic for ἴλαος), without mercy, merciless: James 2:13 (R G). Found nowhere else (except Herodian, epim. 257). Cf. ἀνέλεος.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

without mercy.

From a (as a negative particle) and hileos; inexorable -- without mercy.

see GREEK a

see GREEK hileos

Forms and Transliterations

ανελεος ἀνέλεος ανίλεως ανιπταμένου aneleos anéleos

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts