Hilaskomai (Strong's 2433) is a verb translated as "be merciful" in Luke 18:13 and "to make propitiation for" in Hebrews 2:17. From before the foundation of the world, God the Father and the Word, who would become Jesus Christ, prepared and executed a perfect plan that allows for the demands of the law and the Father's holiness to be satisfied. Jesus Christ's propitiatory sacrifice became the payment for all of mankind's sins, enabling God the Father to be mercifully reconciled (hilaskomai) to His repentant creation through the blood of His only begotten Son.

The Greek word 'hilaskomai' (G2433) indicates that God has become gracious, propitious, or appeased, as illustrated in Luke 18:13 where the tax collector, in humility, pleads, 'God, be merciful, be propitious to me a sinner!' This term reflects a state of divine mercy and grace extended toward humanity. Since the death of Christ, God does not need to be asked to be propitious, for He has already become so through the sacrifice of His Son. The Father is gracious and merciful in His judgment of those who submit to Him, demonstrating His readiness to extend compassion and forgiveness.

The Greek word *hilaskomai* (G2433), translated as propitious or merciful, signifies God's gracious and appeased stance toward humanity due to the atoning work of Jesus Christ. As seen in Luke 18:13, the tax collector humbly pleads, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner,' reflecting the essential attitude of humility needed for reconciliation. Since the death of Christ, God does not need to be asked to be propitious, for He has become so through that sacrifice. The Father is now gracious and merciful in His judgment of human beings who submit to Him, demonstrating that propitiation originates with God to justify His consistent kindness to those who deserve harshness.