Pitiable
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The term "pitiable" refers to a state of being deserving of pity or compassion due to suffering, misfortune, or a lamentable condition. In the context of the Bible, the concept of being pitiable is often associated with spiritual poverty, moral failure, or the consequences of sin. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the pitiable state of individuals or groups who are separated from God or who fail to live according to His commandments.

Biblical References:

1. Revelation 3:17 : In the message to the church in Laodicea, Jesus rebukes the believers for their spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency. He states, "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." Here, the term "pitiable" is used to describe the true spiritual condition of the Laodiceans, who, despite their material wealth, are spiritually impoverished and in need of repentance and renewal.

2. 1 Corinthians 15:19 : The Apostle Paul addresses the hope of the resurrection, stating, "If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men." Paul emphasizes that without the resurrection, the Christian faith would be futile, and believers would be in a pitiable state, having sacrificed and endured suffering for a hope that does not extend beyond this life.

3. Psalm 103:13-14 : While not using the word "pitiable" directly, this passage reflects God's compassion towards humanity: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust." This acknowledgment of human frailty and God's merciful response underscores the pitiable condition of humanity apart from divine grace.

Theological Implications:

The concept of being pitiable in the Bible often serves as a call to recognize one's true spiritual condition and the need for God's mercy and grace. It highlights the contrast between human pride and self-reliance and the reality of spiritual neediness. The pitiable state is not merely a condition to be lamented but an opportunity for transformation through repentance and faith in Christ.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:

1. Humility and Self-awareness: Recognizing one's pitiable state before God encourages humility and a reliance on His grace rather than on personal achievements or material wealth.

2. Repentance and Renewal: The acknowledgment of a pitiable condition should lead to repentance and a renewed commitment to living according to God's will, as seen in the call to the Laodiceans to "buy from Me gold refined by fire" (Revelation 3:18).

3. Hope in Christ: The resurrection of Christ provides the ultimate remedy for the pitiable state of humanity, offering hope and assurance of eternal life beyond the temporal struggles and sufferings of this world.

In summary, the biblical concept of being pitiable serves as a reminder of human frailty and the need for divine intervention. It calls believers to a deeper understanding of their spiritual condition and the transformative power of God's grace through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Arousing pity or compassion; miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons; a pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness.
Greek
1652. eleeinos -- pitiable
... pitiable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eleeinos Phonetic Spelling:
(el-eh-i-nos') Short Definition: merciful, pitiful Definition: merciful, pitiful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1652.htm - 6k
Library

The Flesh and the Spirit
... Oh pitiable sight! The most pitiable sight in the whole world, a human
soul dead and rotten in sin! It is a pitiable sight enough ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxiii the flesh and.htm

Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... him, immediately professed this to be the cause of the Divine approbation: "I am
come," he said, "to demonstrate to thee, since thou art pitiable" [1056] "by ...
/.../chapter vii further examples from the.htm

From Fasts Absolute Tertullian Comes to Partial Ones and ...
... three weeks were consummated:" which being elapsed, an angel was sent out (from
God), addressing him on this wise: "Daniel, thou art a man pitiable; fear not ...
/.../chapter ix from fasts absolute tertullian.htm

The Watchmen that Went About the City Found Me; they Smote Me ...
... veil of her own righteousness. Ah, miserable Spouse! what wilt thou now
do in thy pitiable state? The Bridegroom will have nothing ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/7 the watchmen that went.htm

Chapter 3
... with the death of their mother, that while they said both she and themselves were
in a miserable case, they vehemently complained of her pitiable end, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3.htm

Against those who Maintain that the Spirit is in the Rank Neither ...
... 51. He is not a slave, it is said; not a master, but free. Oh the terrible
insensibility, the pitiable audacity, of them that maintain this! ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xx against those who.htm

A Further Thanksgiving to God for the Change in the Late ...
... 3. One sight there was, more pitiable than all; a mother, and a sister of a certain
person, who was among those under trial within, sat at the very vestibule ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiii a further thanksgiving.htm

Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was Called...
... Who hath envied us? Whence hath all this change come over us? Nothing was more
dignified than our city! Now, never was anything more pitiable! ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii spoken in antioch.htm

Christ Crucified.
... When he was covered with blood and torn with stripes, a most pitiable object to
human eyes, in mockery of his kingly claims they array him in the robes of ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified.htm

Ephesians iv. 4
... Then if the house happen to be large and magnificent, it appears to them
a pitiable spectacle, and deserving of many tears. And ...
/.../homily x ephesians iv 4.htm

Thesaurus
Pitiable (2 Occurrences)
... (a.) Arousing pity or compassion; miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons;
a pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness. ...Pitiable (2 Occurrences). ...
/p/pitiable.htm - 7k

Pitied (19 Occurrences)

/p/pitied.htm - 12k

Lamentable (1 Occurrence)
... lamentable countenance. 2. (a.) Fitted to awaken lament; to be lamented; sorrowful;
pitiable; as, a lamentable misfortune, or error. 3. (a ...
/l/lamentable.htm - 7k

Realize (29 Occurrences)
... rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not
know that if there is a wretched creature it is *you* -- pitiable, poor, blind ...
/r/realize.htm - 15k

Mara (1 Occurrence)
... In the light of her bitter experience, and her present pitiable plight, the old
name has become peculiarly inappropriate. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/m/mara.htm - 7k

Pitiful (5 Occurrences)
... rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not
know that if there is a wretched creature it is *you* -- pitiable, poor, blind ...
/p/pitiful.htm - 9k

Pithon (2 Occurrences)

/p/pithon.htm - 7k

Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent;
as, bitter reproach. 6. (vt) Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable. ...
/b/bitter.htm - 42k

Compassionate (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Having a temper or disposition to pity; sympathetic;
merciful. 2. (a.) Complaining; inviting pity; pitiable. ...
/c/compassionate.htm - 12k

Stored (55 Occurrences)
... rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not
know that if there is a wretched creature it is *you* -- pitiable, poor, blind ...
/s/stored.htm - 23k

Resources
What is Luther's Small Catechism? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? | GotQuestions.org

Pitiable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Pitiable (2 Occurrences)

1 Corinthians 15:19
If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
(WEB ASV)

Revelation 3:17
You say, I am rich, and have wealth stored up, and I stand in need of nothing; and you do not know that if there is a wretched creature it is *you* -- pitiable, poor, blind, naked.
(WEY RSV)

Subtopics

Pitiable

Related Terms

Unsparingly (5 Occurrences)

Pity (165 Occurrences)

Fortunes (30 Occurrences)

Nestled (1 Occurrence)

Out-places (22 Occurrences)

Loruhamah (2 Occurrences)

Loathsomeness (1 Occurrence)

Lo-ruhamah (3 Occurrences)

Lothing (1 Occurrence)

Gloat (11 Occurrences)

Tenderly (9 Occurrences)

Demolished (15 Occurrences)

Desecrate (9 Occurrences)

Plucking (8 Occurrences)

Profaned (43 Occurrences)

Pitiable (2 Occurrences)

Polluting (8 Occurrences)

Pities (2 Occurrences)

Pitiful (5 Occurrences)

Pangs (26 Occurrences)

Childbirth (24 Occurrences)

Abhorrence (3 Occurrences)

Slaying (21 Occurrences)

Sowed (20 Occurrences)

Slaughtering (14 Occurrences)

Hanun (10 Occurrences)

Strongholds (44 Occurrences)

Hamul (3 Occurrences)

Threw (133 Occurrences)

Buildings (28 Occurrences)

Decreed (33 Occurrences)

Resting (117 Occurrences)

Abhorred (31 Occurrences)

Virgins (33 Occurrences)

Objects (30 Occurrences)

Persecuted (34 Occurrences)

Overthrown (44 Occurrences)

Cedars (37 Occurrences)

Zealous (40 Occurrences)

Maidens (40 Occurrences)

Devised (35 Occurrences)

Habitations (38 Occurrences)

Inhabitant (54 Occurrences)

Groan (32 Occurrences)

Swallowed (43 Occurrences)

Purposed (44 Occurrences)

Captives (69 Occurrences)

Nest (22 Occurrences)

Dishonor (47 Occurrences)

Stronghold (68 Occurrences)

Pains (59 Occurrences)

Lain (57 Occurrences)

Accomplished (64 Occurrences)

Travail (54 Occurrences)

Ago (61 Occurrences)

Wast (84 Occurrences)

Living-place (83 Occurrences)

Streets (83 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Pursued (75 Occurrences)

Foes (95 Occurrences)

Despised (96 Occurrences)

Arms (166 Occurrences)

Adversaries (93 Occurrences)

Captive (123 Occurrences)

Round (664 Occurrences)

Intercession (12 Occurrences)

Torn (100 Occurrences)

Performed (110 Occurrences)

Thrown (126 Occurrences)

Cedar (61 Occurrences)

Abundant (124 Occurrences)

Pursue (104 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Rest (831 Occurrences)

Lebanon (66 Occurrences)

Pithon: Son of Micah
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