6739. tsela
Lexical Summary
tsela: Rib, side, chamber

Original Word: צְלָא
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tsla'
Pronunciation: tseh-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (tsel-aw')
KJV: pray
NASB: pray, praying
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) probably corresponding to H6760 (צָּלַע - lame) in the sense of bowing]

1. pray

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
pray

(Aramaic) probably corresponding to tsala' in the sense of bowing; pray -- pray.

see HEBREW tsala'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) a prim. root
Definition
to pray
NASB Translation
pray (1), praying (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[צְלָא] verb Pa`el pray (originally bow in prayer) (ᵑ7 id., bow, Pa`el pray, so Syriac and Pa.; Assyrian ƒullû, entreat (apparently not of prayer to gods ZimKAT 3. 610 f.); Arabic middle of the back, II. pray, Ethiopic bow, pray; Sabean צלות shrine HomChr 125; AA 185); — Participle מְצַלֵּא Daniel 6:11 (absolute); plural מְצַלַּ֫יִן (K§ 47a)) Ezra 6:10 (with ל in behalf of).

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope

צְלָא is the Aramaic noun for “prayer,” occurring in two passages in the Old Testament’s Aramaic sections. Although infrequent, its placement in decisive historical moments underscores prayer as the lifeline between God and His covenant people even while they live under foreign authority.

Occurrences

1. Ezra 6:10 – Persian King Darius orders continual sacrifices at the rebuilt temple “and pray for the lives of the king and his sons.”
2. Daniel 6:10 – Daniel, defying a royal ban, continues his daily regimen: “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Historical Setting

In both verses Judah is in exile or under foreign domination. The same empire that threatens Jewish identity also becomes the context in which prayer shapes imperial policy (Ezra) or exposes imperial idolatry (Daniel). צְלָא therefore bridges the apparent gulf between exile and covenant, showing that communion with God transcends geography and political power.

Intercession for Rulers

Ezra 6:10 records the first biblical instance of a Gentile king explicitly requesting Jewish intercession for his welfare. This anticipates the New Testament exhortation: “I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for all people—for kings and all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Prayer on behalf of secular leadership is not capitulation but a means of advancing God’s kingdom purposes through stability and favor.

Resolute Prayer under Persecution

Daniel 6 presents the archetype of civil disobedience rooted in devotion to God. The threat of the lions’ den cannot silence prayer, illustrating that genuine faith prays “just as he had done before.” Daniel’s posture—windows open toward Jerusalem—confesses hope in God’s promises (1 Kings 8:46-49). His steadfast צְלָא exposes the impotence of idolatrous decrees and vindicates divine sovereignty.

Theological Themes

• Continuity: Whether in Hebrew (תְּפִלָּה) or Aramaic (צְלָא), prayer remains the covenant expression of dependence on God.
• Sovereignty and Providence: Both passages reveal that empires rise and fall under God’s control; prayer aligns His people with that reality.
• Public Testimony: Prayer is not merely private spirituality but a visible declaration of allegiance to the God of heaven.
• Deliverance and Preservation: Daniel’s answered prayer leads to personal deliverance, while the temple prayers sought national preservation and royal blessing.

Ministry Significance

1. Corporate Worship: Ezra 6:10 legitimizes priestly intercession as part of sacrificial worship, encouraging modern congregations to combine liturgy with petitions for civic leaders.
2. Personal Discipline: Daniel’s thrice-daily schedule models structured devotional habits—intentional, rhythmic, and Scripture-informed.
3. Courageous Witness: Faithful prayer may invite opposition, yet it becomes the arena where God displays His power and vindication.
4. Exilic Framework: Believers today, often cultural exiles, are reminded that prayer sustains covenant identity and mission amid pluralistic societies.

Practical Applications

• Establish consistent times for prayer, integrating thanksgiving and intercession.
• Include governmental leaders in public and private petitions, trusting God to work through them for the common good.
• Maintain visible, gracious faith practices even when cultural pressures demand conformity.
• Anchor prayer in God’s promises, orienting the heart “toward Jerusalem,” that is, toward the fulfillment of redemption in Christ.

Related Biblical References

Psalm 5:3; Jeremiah 29:7; Acts 4:24-31; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 2:17.

Summary

צְלָא, though appearing only twice, captures the essence of prayer as steadfast communion with the sovereign God, shaping history, sustaining saints, and advancing His kingdom purposes even in the shadow of empires.

Forms and Transliterations
וּמְצַלֵּ֤א וּמְצַלַּ֕יִן ומצלא ומצלין ū·mə·ṣal·la·yin ū·mə·ṣal·lê ūməṣallayin ūməṣallê umetzalLayin umetzalLe
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Ezra 6:10
HEB: לֶאֱלָ֣הּ שְׁמַיָּ֑א וּמְצַלַּ֕יִן לְחַיֵּ֥י מַלְכָּ֖א
NAS: of heaven and pray for the life
KJV: of heaven, and pray for the life
INT: to the God of heaven and pray the life of the king

Daniel 6:10
HEB: עַל־ בִּרְכ֗וֹהִי וּמְצַלֵּ֤א וּמוֹדֵא֙ קֳדָ֣ם
NAS: a day, praying and giving thanks
KJV: a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
INT: upon his knees praying and giving before

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6739
2 Occurrences


ū·mə·ṣal·la·yin — 1 Occ.
ū·mə·ṣal·lê — 1 Occ.

6738
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