[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/mercy/)

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# mercy

noun (mercy, mercies)

«mercy» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Mercy is kindness or forgiveness shown to someone you could punish or hurt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#m1)
2. (church) Christians, Jews and Muslims believe God is full of mercy, forgiving people who turn back to him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#m2)
3. A mercy is a lucky thing that you are thankful for: "It's a mercy nobody was hurt." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#m3)
4. "At the mercy of" means in the power of someone or something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#m4)
5. "For mercy's sake" is an expression people use to beg someone urgently to stop or spare them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#m5)

### In the lessons

In stories a hero shows mercy to a beaten enemy; a cruel king shows none. In church services people pray "Lord, have mercy". In news, "a mercy mission" brings help to people in danger. Phrases: have mercy, show mercy, beg for mercy, at the mercy of, it's a mercy that, mercy me (old exclamation).

### Examples

- The king showed mercy and let the prisoner go. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#x1)
- "Lord, have mercy," prayed the people. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#x2)
- The little boat was at the mercy of the waves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#x3)
- It's a mercy the rain stopped before the match. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#x4)
- The robber begged for mercy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#x5)
- Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#x6)
- The helicopter flew a mercy mission to the island. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/#x7)

### Note

Mostly uncountable; plural mercies in "small mercies" (things to be glad about). Adjective merciful, merciless. Mercy is not the same as justice: justice gives what is fair; mercy gives more kindness than is deserved.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, mercy is God's kindness, which He shows to those who love Him and keep His commands. It is often joined with the word "covenant".

**Interpretation.** The rabbis spoke of God's two ways, mercy and justice, and hoped mercy would win. God's mercy is said to last to a thousand generations, far longer than punishment.

### Examples

- and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments. (Torah EXO.20.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercy/#x1)
- and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release unto you your other brother and Benjamin. (Torah GEN.43.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercy/#x2)
- Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God; the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations; (Torah DEU.7.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercy/#x3)
- The mercy of God endureth continually. (Writings PSA.52.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercy/#x4)
- Is His mercy clean gone for ever? (Writings PSA.77.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercy/#x5)
- Appoint mercy and truth, that they may preserve him. (Writings PSA.61.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercy/#x6)

### Note

Mostly uncountable; plural mercies in "small mercies" (things to be glad about). Adjective merciful, merciless. Mercy is not the same as justice: justice gives what is fair; mercy gives more kindness than is deserved.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «mercy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mercy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/mercy.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «mercy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mercy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/mercy.html) on Mova free.