Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "plead" often refers to the act of making a fervent appeal or earnest request, typically in a legal or judicial setting. It is used to describe both human interactions and divine-human communication, where individuals seek justice, mercy, or intervention from God or others.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, "plead" is frequently associated with legal disputes and the pursuit of justice. The Hebrew word often translated as "plead" is "רִיב" (riv), which can mean to contend, dispute, or argue a case. For example, in Isaiah 1:17, the prophet calls the people to "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow" . Here, pleading is an act of advocating for the vulnerable and ensuring justice is served. The concept of pleading is also seen in the context of God's relationship with His people. In Isaiah 43:26, God invites His people to "Review the past for Me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence" . This illustrates a divine invitation to engage in dialogue and present one's case before God. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word "παρακαλέω" (parakaleó) is often used in contexts that involve pleading or making an earnest appeal. While the term "plead" itself is less frequently used in English translations of the New Testament, the concept is present in the actions and teachings of Jesus and the apostles. For instance, in Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow who continually pleads with an unjust judge for justice. Her persistence is eventually rewarded, illustrating the importance of perseverance in prayer and the assurance that God, unlike the unjust judge, will respond to the pleas of His people. Theological Implications The act of pleading in the Bible underscores the importance of justice, mercy, and advocacy. It reflects a deep reliance on God as the ultimate judge and advocate for His people. Pleading is not merely a legal action but a spiritual exercise that involves trust in God's righteousness and His willingness to hear and respond to the cries of His people. In a broader theological sense, pleading can also be seen in the intercessory work of Christ. Hebrews 7:25 states, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them" . Here, Christ's intercession is a form of pleading on behalf of believers, ensuring their access to God's grace and mercy. Practical Application For believers, the biblical concept of pleading encourages active engagement in prayer and advocacy. It calls Christians to be voices for justice and compassion in their communities, following the example of Christ and the prophets. Pleading with God in prayer is an expression of faith and dependence on His sovereign will and perfect justice. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. p.) of Plead.2. (v. t.) To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father. 3. (v. t.) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense, to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry on a suit or plea. 4. (v. t.) To contend; to struggle. 5. (v. t.) To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having authority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury. 6. (v. t.) To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty. 7. (v. t.) To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vindication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PLEADpled: In modern non-legal English is a synonym of "pray" or "beseech," but in legal phraseology "plea," "plead," and "pleading" have a great variety of technical meanings, with "present a case before the court" as the idea common to all. All the uses of "plead" in English Versions of the Bible are connected with this legal sense, so that outside of the set phrase "plead a cause" (1 Samuel 24:15, etc.) there is hardly a use of the word in the King James Version, the English Revised Version, or the American Standard Revised Version that is clear modern English The most obscure instances are due to The King James Version's employment of "plead" to translate the niphal of shaphaT. ShaphaT means "judge," so its niphal means "bring oneself into a case to be judged," "enter into controversy with," and so "plead" in the legal sense. Hence, "None pleadeth in truth" (Isaiah 59:4) means "none of their lawsuits are honest." Accordingly, when God is said to "plead with" man (Isaiah 66:16 the King James Version, the English Revised Version, etc.), the meaning is that God states His side of the case and not at all that He supplicates man to repent. And this statement by God is a judicial act that of course admits of no reply. Hence, the Revised Version (British and American) has changed "plead with" into "enter into judgment with" in Jeremiah 2:35, and the American Standard Revised Version has carried this change into all the other passages (Jeremiah 25:31 Ezekiel 17:20; Ezekiel 20:35, 36; 38:22), with "execute judgment" in Isaiah 66:16 Joel 3:2. The same verb form occurs also in Isaiah 43:26: "Let us plead together," where "Let us present our arguments on both sides" would be a fair paraphrase. Otherwise "plead" usually represents ribh, for which the Revised Version (British and American) gives "strive" in place of "plead" in Psalm 35:1, and "contend" in Job 13:19; Job 23:6 (the American Standard Revised Version also in Judges 6:31, 32 Isaiah 3:13 Jeremiah 2:9; Jeremiah 12:1 Hosea 2:2, retaining "plead" only in Isaiah 1:17 and in the phrase "plead a cause"). yakhach, is rendered "plead" in Job 19:5 ("plead against me my reproach," where the meaning is "convict me of"), in Micah 6:2 the King James Version and the English Revised Version (the American Standard Revised Version "contend"), and Job 16:21 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "maintain the right"). "Plead" is used also for din, in Jeremiah 30:13 and Proverbs 31:9 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "minister justice to"), and Jeremiah 5:28 the Revised Version (British and American) (the King James Version "judge"; compare Jeremiah 22:16, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "judge"). the Revised Version (British and American) would have done vastly better if the use of "plead" had been avoided altogether. Greek 5241. huperentugchano -- to intercede, to make petition for ... Word Origin from huper and entugchano Definition to intercede, to make petition for NASB Word Usage intercedes (1). to plead, intercede. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5241.htm - 7k 1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous 1793. entugchano -- to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext. ... 3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage Strong's Hebrew 7378. rib -- to strive, contend... 2), contend (22), contended (9), contends (1), dispute (1), ever strive (1), filed (1), find fault (1), have a quarrel (1), judge (1), plead (9), plead my case ... /hebrew/7378.htm - 6k 3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove 8199. shaphat -- to judge, govern 1245. baqash -- to seek 7379. rib -- strife, dispute 1777. din -- to judge Library Rogation Days 183. Lord, in Thy Name Thy Servants Plead "We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. ... The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas. Revelation of Esdras. The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted. Psalm CXX. Two visitors by Night "And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,", The Poor Man's Friend The Importunate Widow. Thesaurus Plead (64 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (pp) of Plead. 2. (vt) To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to ... /p/plead.htm - 31k Whilst (21 Occurrences) Pleadeth (9 Occurrences) Pleaded (21 Occurrences) Defend (38 Occurrences) Plea (35 Occurrences) Gideon (45 Occurrences) Vindicate (18 Occurrences) Jerubbaal (15 Occurrences) Prostitutions (6 Occurrences) Resources Is pleading the blood of Jesus biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Euodia and Syntyche in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.org Plead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Plead (64 Occurrences)Matthew 18:29 Luke 13:26 Romans 11:2 Romans 12:1 Philippians 4:2 Hebrews 7:25 Genesis 6:3 Exodus 9:28 Judges 6:31 Judges 6:32 Judges 21:22 1 Samuel 2:36 1 Samuel 12:7 1 Samuel 24:15 1 Kings 8:47 2 Chronicles 6:37 Esther 4:8 Job 8:5 Job 9:15 Job 9:19 Job 13:8 Job 13:19 Job 16:21 Job 19:5 Job 23:6 Job 35:9 Psalms 35:1 Psalms 43:1 Psalms 74:22 Psalms 119:154 Proverbs 18:17 Proverbs 18:23 Proverbs 22:23 Proverbs 23:11 Proverbs 25:9 Proverbs 28:4 Proverbs 31:9 Isaiah 1:17 Isaiah 3:13 Isaiah 43:26 Isaiah 45:14 Isaiah 66:16 Jeremiah 2:9 Jeremiah 2:29 Jeremiah 2:35 Jeremiah 5:28 Jeremiah 7:16 Jeremiah 12:1 Jeremiah 15:11 Jeremiah 25:31 Jeremiah 27:18 Jeremiah 30:13 Jeremiah 50:34 Jeremiah 51:36 Ezekiel 17:20 Ezekiel 20:35 Ezekiel 20:36 Ezekiel 38:22 Daniel 2:18 Hosea 2:2 Joel 3:2 Micah 6:1 Micah 6:2 Micah 7:9 Subtopics Related Terms |
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