Hebrew Alignment(Vox): Mercy (rak-ha-mim)

Keyword:  rak-ha-mim  רחמים 
             Mercy

Hebrew רחמים (pronounced rakhamim) is usually translated as “mercy.”

However, it is actually plural in form, like many common Hebrew words including:

“face” (פנים, panim)
“water” (מים, mayim)
"God" (אלהים, elohim). 

What is very interesting is that the singular form רחם (rak-ham) looks identical to the word for “womb” (רחם, rek-hem), which is in fact closely related.

1.  Hebrew is a very physical (Concrete - touch and feel) language...
2.  Concepts that may seem unconnected to us often share the same root. 

So what is the deep connection here? 

In ancient times, if a woman was able to get pregnant and give birth it meant that God had bestowed mercy on her and opened her womb (Luke 1:57-58).

This is one obvious connection between rek-hem (“womb”)and rak-ha-mim (“mercy”). 

Another connection may be understood from the “compassion” typically felt by a mother for her own offspring, the “fruit of her womb” (Isaiah 49:15).

\CH-Vox

Adapted from:

The Mystery of the Hebrew Woman
By Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg - May 16, 2018