### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **châmal**, represented by `{{H2550}}`, is a primitive root meaning **to commiserate** or, by implication, **to spare**. It appears 41 times across 40 unique verses in the Bible, most often translated as "pity," "spare," or "have compassion." The word conveys a deep sense of empathy that often leads to a tangible act of withholding punishment or destruction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H2550}}` is used to describe both divine and human actions. It frequently appears in the context of God's judgment, where the withholding of pity is a sign of His righteous anger against sin. For instance, God declares through Jeremiah that He will not pity or spare the people of Judah, but destroy them for their disobedience [[Jeremiah 13:14]]. Conversely, the word also expresses God's tender mercy, as when He promises to be jealous for His land and pity His people [[Joel 2:18]]. On a human level, it describes Pharaoh's daughter having compassion on the infant Moses [[Exodus 2:6]], as well as King Saul's disobedient decision to spare Agag and the best of the livestock, which he was commanded to destroy [[1 Samuel 15:9]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning of sparing and compassion:
* `{{H2347}}` **chûwç**: A close synonym meaning **to compassionate, pity, or spare**. It is often used in parallel with `{{H2550}}` to emphasize the withdrawal of mercy during judgment, as when God declares "neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity" [[Ezekiel 5:11]].
* `{{H7355}}` **râcham**: This term means **to love, especially to compassionate**. It is used alongside `{{H2550}}` to paint a full picture of mercy being withheld, such as God's warning that the Babylonian king "shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy" [[Jeremiah 21:7]].
* `{{H2763}}` **châram**: This word means **to utterly destroy** or devote something to destruction as part of a religious ban. It stands in direct contrast to `{{H2550}}`, as seen in the command to "utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not" [[1 Samuel 15:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H2550}}` is significant, highlighting the tension between divine justice and mercy.
* **A Consequence of Sin:** The withdrawal of pity is consistently presented as a direct result of Israel's transgressions. God's declaration that He "hath thrown down, and hath not pitied" is the fulfillment of His divine word against a disobedient people [[Lamentations 2:17]].
* **A Hallmark of Covenant Love:** God's compassion is an expression of His covenant relationship with His people. He promises to spare them "as a man spareth his own son that serveth him" [[Malachi 3:17]]. Before enacting judgment, God first sent messengers "because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place" [[2 Chronicles 36:15]].
* **A Critical Moral Choice:** For humans, the act of sparing or showing pity is a defining moral action. Saul's decision to spare Agag was an act of rebellion against God [[1 Samuel 15:9]], whereas a rich man who selfishly spared his own flock was condemned for having no pity [[2 Samuel 12:6]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H2550}}` is a crucial term for understanding the biblical concepts of compassion and judgment. It is not a passive feeling but an active choice to withhold destruction. The word powerfully illustrates God's character as both a righteous judge who will not spare the unrepentant and a merciful Father who has pity on His children. It demonstrates that the decision to spare or destroy carries immense theological and moral consequences.
TRV