connected with eleemon, "merciful," signifies (a) "mercy, pity, particularly in giving alms," Mat 1:6-4, Act 10:2, Act 24:17; (b) the benefaction itself, the "alms" (the effect for the cause), Luk 11:41, Luk 12:33, Act 1:3-3, Act 3:10, Act 9:36, "almsdeeds;" Act 10:2, Act 10:4, Act 10:31.
Note: In Mat 6:1, the RV, translating dikaiosune, according to the most authentic texts, has "righteousness," for AV, "alms."