חֶמְלָה
chem.lah
compassion
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word חֶמְלָה, chem.lah, corresponds to the concept of compassion. This word falls under the domain of emotions and attitudes, indicating it's a feeling-driven concept. The word chem.lah is found in the Bible only twice, which may suggest a nuanced or complex aspect of this emotion. Its relatively rare occurrence implies it may have been employed intentionally to convey a specific shade of feeling. Given its association with emotions and attitudes, chem.lah likely relates to sympathetic feelings of pity or kindness, possibly even a sense of identification with the suffering. This concept, though not a dominant theme in the Hebrew Bible, contributes to the rich tapestry of human emotions and relationships expressed within its pages.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences across the text
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. He bore them, and carried them all the days of old.
Genesis 19:16But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and his two daughters’ hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city.