Lexical Summary deomai: To beg, to beseech, to pray, to request earnestly Original Word: δέομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beseech, pray to, make request. Middle voice of deo; to beg (as binding oneself), i.e. Petition -- beseech, pray (to), make request. Compare punthanomai. see GREEK deo see GREEK punthanomai HELPS Word-studies 1189 déomai (from the root deō, "having deep personal need, to be in want," see also 1162 /déēsis, "felt-need") – properly, to feel pressing need because of lack – hence, to make urgent appeal; to have deep personal need causing one to beseech (make earnest, specific request). [S. Zodihates (Dict) emphasizes the Gk middle voice meaning of this term, i.e. the personal, felt-need that drives 1189 (déomai). L-S and Thayer find deō expresses two distinct meanings in antiquity, perhaps indicating a distinction in accent (like with the English terms, pro'duce and prodúce).] Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1189: δέομαιδέομαι; 3 person singular imperfect ἐδητο (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 220; Winers Grammar, 46; (Veitch, under the word δέω to need at the end)), Luke 8:38 (where Lachmann ἐδηιτο, Tr WH ἐδεῖτο; cf. Meyer at the passage; (WHs Appendix, p. 166); Buttmann, 55 (48)); 1 aorist ἐδεήθην; (from δέω to want, need; whence middle δέομαι to stand in need of, want for oneself); (from Herodotus down); 1. to want, lack: τίνος. 2. to desire, long for: τίνος. 3. to ask, beg (German bitten); a. universally — the thing asked for being evident from the context: with the genitive of the person from whom, Galatians 4:12; the thing sought being specified in direct discourse: Luke 5:12; Luke 8:28; Luke 9:38 (according to the reading ἐπίβλεψον R L); Acts 8:34 (δέομαι σου, περί τίνος ὁ προφήτης λέγει τοῦτο; of whom, I pray thee, doth the prophet say this?); Acts 21:39; 2 Corinthians 5:20; followed by the infinitive, Luke 8:38; Luke 9:38 (according to the reading ἐπιβλέψαι Tr WH); Acts 26:3 (where G L T Tr WH omit σου after δέομαι); followed by ἵνα, Luke 9:40 (cf. Winers Grammar, 335 (315); (Buttmann, 258 (222))); followed by τό with an infinitive 2 Corinthians 10:2 (cf. Buttmann, 263 (226), 279 (239); Winer's Grammar, 321, 322 (301f)); with the genitive of person and the accusative of a thing, 2 Corinthians 8:4 (G L T Tr WH; for Rec. adds δέξασθαι ἡμᾶς without warrant) (cf. Buttmann, 164 (143); Winers Grammar, 198 (186)). b. specifically, of requests addressed to God; absolutely to pray, make supplication: Acts 4:31; τοῦ Θεοῦ, Acts 10:2; followed by εἰ ἄρα, Acts 8:22 (Buttmann, 256 (220); Winer's Grammar, 300 (282)); τοῦ κυρίου, ὅπως etc. Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; without the genitive Θεοῦ — followed by εἰ πῶς, Romans 1:10 (cf. Winers Grammar, and Buttmann's Grammar, the passages cited); by ἵνα, Luke 21:36; Luke 22:32; by the relic εἰς τό, 1 Thessalonians 3:10 (cf. Buttmann, 265 (228)); ὑπέρ τίνος πρός τόν κύριον, ὅπως, Acts 8:24. (Synonyms: see αἰτέω and δέησις. Compare: προσδέομαι.) STRONGS NT 1189a: δέοςδέος, δέους, τό (δείδω) (from Homer down), fear, awe: μετά εὐλαβείας καί δέους, Hebrews 12:28 L T Tr WH. Definition and Scope of Usage Deomai describes an earnest, heartfelt plea rising from recognized need. It moves beyond routine petition to an impassioned cry, whether directed to God (most occurrences) or to a human superior. Its verbal forms appear twenty-two times in the New Testament, displaying a consistent pattern of humility, urgency, and dependence. Old Testament Background In the Septuagint, δέομαι often translates Hebrew verbs for entreaty (for example, Genesis 18:3; Exodus 33:18). The usage associates the word with covenantal appeals—creatures imploring their Creator on the basis of His revealed character. This backdrop colors the New Testament occurrences, reinforcing the idea that true supplication rests on God’s promises rather than human merit. Primary Themes in the Gospels 1. Recognition of Christ’s Authority 2. Dependence in Discipleship 3. The Harvest Prayer Luke–Acts: Corporate Prayer and Mission Luke’s writings contain over one-third of New Testament instances, connecting earnest prayer with Spirit-empowered witness. • Acts 4:31 – “After they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” The church’s plea for boldness triggers fresh filling and outreach. Pauline Appeals: Apostolic Heartbeat Paul employs deomai nine times, revealing a shepherd’s burden. • Romans 1:10 – Paul has been “asking that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened” to visit Rome; gospel advance moves forward on the rails of prayer. Theological Significance 1. Humble Dependence Deomai underscores creaturely poverty before divine sufficiency. Prayer is not a formality but a lifeline. 2. Intercessory Priority Whether petitioning for harvest workers or another’s forgiveness, Scripture presents intercession as a means God ordains to accomplish His purposes. 3. Gospel Urgency Evangelistic and pastoral ministries are framed as pleas—reflecting both the gravity of eternal realities and the compassion of the Messenger. 4. Spiritual Warfare and Vigilance Luke 22:32 records Jesus telling Peter, “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” The word depicts the Son’s protective intercession, modeling reliance amid satanic assault. Historical and Liturgical Echoes Early Christian writings portray communities gathering for “earnest prayers” patterned after Acts 4:31. Church fathers like Chrysostom expounded the necessity of deēsis for both personal holiness and societal transformation, echoing the apostolic precedent. Practical Ministry Application • Incorporate specific, urgent pleas in corporate worship, reflecting the depth of deomai rather than perfunctory requests. Summary Deomai threads through the New Testament as the vocabulary of needy hearts turning to an all-sufficient God. It fuels mission, fortifies saints, and mirrors the compassion of Christ Himself. Wherever believers today lift urgent, humble pleas to the Father, the spirit of Strong’s 1189 continues its living ministry in the church. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 9:38 V-AMP-2PGRK: δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ NAS: Therefore beseech the Lord KJV: Pray ye therefore the Lord INT: pray earnestly to therefore the Luke 5:12 V-AIP-3S Luke 8:28 V-PIM/P-1S Luke 8:38 V-IIM/P-3S Luke 9:38 V-PIM/P-1S Luke 9:40 V-AIP-1S Luke 10:2 V-AMP-2P Luke 21:36 V-PPM/P-NMP Luke 22:32 V-AIP-1S Acts 4:31 V-APP-GMP Acts 8:22 V-AMP-2S Acts 8:24 V-AMP-2P Acts 8:34 V-PIM/P-1S Acts 10:2 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 21:39 V-PIM/P-1S Acts 26:3 V-PIM/P-1S Romans 1:10 V-PPM/P-NMS 2 Corinthians 5:20 V-PIM/P-1P 2 Corinthians 8:4 V-PPM/P-NMP 2 Corinthians 10:2 V-PIM/P-1S Galatians 4:12 V-PIM/P-1S 1 Thessalonians 3:10 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 1189 |
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