Pity
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Pity in the Bible?
Tender feeling for others in misery or distress, often allied to compassion but differing in respect of the object that causes the distress. Pity often becomes allied to contempt.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the distinction between pity and compassion clarifies biblical calls for active mercy and empathy rather than passive sympathy.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Pity. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Pity in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pity clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Pity." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pity/