Entreaty, in the biblical context, refers to earnest prayer, supplication, or humble request made to God or others. It is a form of communication that reflects a deep sense of need, dependence, and humility. The concept of entreaty is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the relationship between humanity and the divine, as well as interpersonal relationships.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, entreaty is often associated with prayer and supplication to God. The Hebrew word often translated as "entreat" is "ḥānan," which conveys the idea of seeking favor or grace. One notable example is found in the account of Moses, who frequently made entreaties to God on behalf of the Israelites. In Exodus 32:11, Moses implores the LORD to turn away His wrath from the people: "But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, 'O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?'"

The Psalms are replete with examples of entreaty, as the psalmists often cry out to God in times of distress. Psalm 6:9 states, "The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer." Here, the psalmist expresses confidence that God hears and responds to earnest entreaty.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, entreaty continues to be a significant aspect of prayer and communication with God. The Greek word "deēsis" is commonly used to denote supplication or petition. The Apostle Paul frequently uses this term in his epistles, urging believers to engage in prayerful entreaty. In Philippians 4:6 , Paul writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Jesus Himself exemplifies the practice of entreaty in His prayers. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He earnestly entreats the Father, as recorded in Matthew 26:39 : "Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.'"

Interpersonal Entreaty

Beyond the divine-human relationship, entreaty is also evident in interpersonal interactions. The Bible records instances where individuals make earnest requests of one another. In the book of Ruth, Naomi entreats her daughters-in-law to return to their own families after the death of their husbands. Ruth 1:16 captures Ruth's response: "But Ruth replied, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.'"

The Apostle Paul also uses entreaty in his letters to appeal to fellow believers. In Philemon 1:9-10 , Paul writes, "I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—that I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains."

Theological Significance

Entreaty underscores the biblical themes of humility, dependence, and the relational nature of faith. It reflects a recognition of human limitations and the need for divine intervention. Through entreaty, believers express their trust in God's character and His willingness to respond to the cries of His people. The practice of entreaty encourages a posture of humility and submission, aligning the believer's will with that of God.1. (n.) An earnest request or petition; a plea; an urgent prayer; earnest petition; pressing solicitation.

2. (n.) Treatment; reception; entertainment.

1162. deesis -- a need, entreaty
... a need, entreaty. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: deesis Phonetic
Spelling: (deh'-ay-sis) Short Definition: supplication, prayer Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1162.htm - 7k

2428. hiketeria -- supplication
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hiketeria Phonetic Spelling:
(hik-et-ay-ree'-ah) Short Definition: supplication, entreaty Definition: (originally ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2428.htm - 7k

3874. paraklesis -- a calling to one's aid, ie encouragement ...
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paraklesis Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ak'-lay-sis) Short Definition: exhortation, entreaty, encouragement, comfort ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3874.htm - 8k

3849. parabiazomai -- to force against (nature)
... constrain. From para and the middle voice of biazo; to force contrary to (nature),
ie Compel (by entreaty) -- constrain. see GREEK para. see GREEK biazo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3849.htm - 7k

1246. baqqashah -- request, entreaty
... 1245, 1246. baqqashah. 1247 . request, entreaty. Transliteration: baqqashah
Phonetic Spelling: (bak-kaw-shaw') Short Definition: request. ...
/hebrew/1246.htm - 6k

6279. athar -- to pray, supplicate
... root Definition to pray, supplicate NASB Word Usage answered (1), answered their
prayers (1), entreat (2), entreated (2), listened to our entreaty (1), made ...
/hebrew/6279.htm - 6k

4994. na -- I (we) pray, now
... particle of entreaty or exhortation Definition I (we) pray, now NASB Word Usage
Ah (2), beg (1), beseech (1), come (3), implore (1), may (1), now (159), O (2 ...
/hebrew/4994.htm - 6k

8470. Tachani -- descendant of Tahan
... of Tahan NASB Word Usage Tahanites (1). entreaty, supplication. Patronymically from
Tachan; a Tachanite (collectively) or descendants of Tachan -- Tahanites. ...
/hebrew/8470.htm - 6k

8467. techinnah -- favor, supplication for favor
... camp. From chanan; graciousness; causatively, entreaty -- favour, grace, supplication.
see HEBREW chanan. 8466, 8467. techinnah. 8468 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8467.htm - 6k

A Message of Warning and Entreaty
... Lesson 29 A Message of Warning and Entreaty. [This chapter is based on the
First Epistle to the Corinthians.] The first epistle to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 29 a message of.htm

Entreaty to be Fairly Judged.
... Chapter XXXVII."Entreaty to Be Fairly Judged. And now do you, who are entirely
in everything, by nature and by education, upright ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxxvii entreaty to be fairly.htm

To Whose Person the Entreaty for the Promises is to be Understood ...
... Chapter 12."To Whose Person the Entreaty for the Promises is to Be Understood to
Belong, When He Says in the Psalm, "Where are Thine Ancient Compassions, Lord ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 to whose person the.htm

Commandment Tenth. Of Grief, and not Grieving the Spirit of God ...
... For the entreaty of the sorrowful man has no power to ascend to the altar of God."
"Why," say I, "does not the entreaty of the grieved man ascend to the altar ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment tenth of grief and.htm

Valentinus' Explanation of the Existence of Jesus; Power of Jesus ...
... outside the Pleroma, and discovering (Sophia) in the midst of those four primary
passions, both fear and sorrow, and perplexity and entreaty, he rectified her ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxvii valentinus explanation of the.htm

Matt. xv. 21, 22
... such evil case: she not even venturing to bring into the Master's sight her that
was possessed, but leaving her to lie at home, and herself making the entreaty ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lii matt xv 21.htm

By Collating Similar Passages with 1 Sam. ...
... question is, Who in such a case can entreat? The entreaty is not excluded.
41. Then you have in the fifteenth Psalm: "Lord, who ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix by collating similar.htm

2 Cor. Ix. 1
... A little before thou saidst, [they did it] "of their own accord, beseeching us with
much entreaty," how then now, "your zeal?" Yes,' he saith, we did not advise ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 2 cor ix.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... Their entreaty was granted, and in 1094 BC Saul the son of Kish, of the small but
fierce tribe of Benjamin, was appointed by God, and anointed like a priest by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Matt. Ix. 27-30.
... For in many cases He made a point of healing on entreaty, lest any should suppose
Him to be rushing [1338] upon these miracles through vainglory: and not on ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxii matt ix 27-30.htm

Entreaty (12 Occurrences)
...Entreaty (12 Occurrences). ... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 8:4 begging us with much entreaty
to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. ...
/e/entreaty.htm - 10k

Unwearied (5 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/u/unwearied.htm - 8k

Unceasing (11 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/u/unceasing.htm - 9k

Opportunities (4 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/o/opportunities.htm - 7k

Occasions (8 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/o/occasions.htm - 8k

Fitting (29 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/f/fitting.htm - 14k

Entreat (55 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To treat or discourse; hence, to enter into negotiations, as for a treaty.
6. (vi) To make an earnest petition or request. 7. (n.) Entreaty. Int. ...
/e/entreat.htm - 25k

Persistence (2 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/p/persistence.htm - 7k

Alert (19 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/a/alert.htm - 11k

Seize (91 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 6:18 Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion
in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so ...
/s/seize.htm - 34k

Who was King Manasseh in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Entreaty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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