### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **oikteírō**, represented by `{{G3627}}`, means to exercise pity or to have compassion on someone. According to its base definition, it is derived from a word meaning pity. It is a very specific term, appearing only **2 times** within **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, making its single context highly significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{G3627}}` is in [[Romans 9:15]], where the Apostle Paul quotes God's words to Moses. The verse states, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have **compassion** on whom I will have **compassion**." In this passage, `{{G3627}}` is used twice to emphasize God's sovereign and absolute prerogative in showing compassion. It is not an action prompted by external merit but an expression of God's own will.
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of `{{G3627}}` directly links it to a closely related term:
* `{{G1653}}` **eleéō**: This word means "to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)." It is used for showing mercy and is often paired with `{{G3627}}`. In [[Romans 9:15]], God's declaration "I will have mercy" uses `{{G1653}}`, immediately before He says "I will have compassion" with `{{G3627}}`. This parallel structure highlights two facets of the same divine attribute. The broader use of `{{G1653}}` is seen in pleas for help, such as when two blind men cry out, "have **mercy** on us" [[Matthew 9:27]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G3627}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful usage.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The primary point of its use in [[Romans 9:15]] is to establish that God's compassion is not earned or owed. It is an extension of His sovereign will, a truth reinforced by the next verse, which states that salvation "is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" [[Romans 9:16]].
* **A Statement of Character:** By using both **eleéō** (mercy) and **oikteírō** (compassion), the passage portrays a complete picture of God's nature. His mercy is not a cold, legal action but is accompanied by a deep, personal pity or compassion for its object.
* **Foundation of Grace:** This declaration to Moses forms a foundational Old Testament principle for understanding New Testament grace. Paul uses it to explain that God's choice is the ultimate basis for salvation, demonstrated through His unmerited compassion.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G3627}}` **oikteírō** is a rare word whose significance is amplified by its specific context. Its appearance in [[Romans 9:15]] serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of God. It defines divine compassion as a sovereign choice, independent of human action, and forms a critical part of the biblical argument for God's absolute freedom in granting mercy and grace.
TRV