The term "pleadeth" is an archaic form of the verb "plead," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament. It is used to describe the act of making a case or arguing on behalf of oneself or another, often in a legal or judicial setting. The concept of pleading is significant in biblical theology as it reflects the themes of justice, advocacy, and intercession.

Biblical Usage

1. Legal Context: In the Bible, "pleadeth" often appears in legal contexts, where individuals or God Himself are depicted as advocates or defenders. For example, in Isaiah 3:13, it is written, "The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people." Here, the LORD is portrayed as one who pleads or contends on behalf of justice, standing as both advocate and judge.

2. Intercession: The act of pleading is closely related to intercession, where a person stands in the gap for another, seeking mercy or favor. In Job 16:21, Job expresses a desire for an advocate, saying, "Oh, that a man might plead with God as a man pleads for his neighbor!" This reflects the deep yearning for someone to intercede on his behalf before God.

3. Divine Advocacy: God is often depicted as the ultimate advocate for His people. In Proverbs 22:23, it is stated, "for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them." This verse highlights God's role as the defender of the oppressed, one who pleads their cause and ensures justice is served.

4. Human Advocacy: The Bible also presents human figures who plead on behalf of others. Moses is a prime example, as he frequently intercedes for the Israelites. In Exodus 32:11, Moses pleads with the LORD not to destroy His people after they sinned with the golden calf, demonstrating the power and importance of intercessory prayer.

5. Prophetic Pleading: The prophets often acted as God's mouthpieces, pleading with the people to return to righteousness. In Jeremiah 2:9, God declares, "Therefore I will yet bring charges against you, declares the LORD, and against your children’s children I will bring charges." Here, the prophetic voice is one of pleading for repentance and warning of impending judgment.

Theological Implications

The concept of pleading in the Bible underscores the importance of justice, mercy, and advocacy. It reveals God's character as a just judge who is also compassionate and willing to intercede on behalf of His people. The role of human advocates, such as Moses and the prophets, points to the responsibility of believers to stand in the gap for others, seeking God's mercy and justice.

In the New Testament, the ultimate fulfillment of the role of advocate is found in Jesus Christ, who pleads on behalf of humanity before the Father. As stated in 1 John 2:1, "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." This highlights the continuity of the theme of pleading from the Old Testament to the New Testament, culminating in the redemptive work of Christ.

But Infirmity Pleadeth Its Part, and with Favor of the Crowds ...
... Section 38. But infirmity pleadeth its part, and with favor of the crowds
proclaims itself to? 38. But infirmity pleadeth its ...
/.../augustine/against lying/section 38 but infirmity pleadeth.htm

Against Lying
... more piteously? Section 38. But infirmity pleadeth its part, and with
favor of the crowds proclaims itself to? Section 40. But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/

The Pleading Note in Prayer
... We all understand the exclamation of the patriarch Job quite well""O that one might
plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour." We have a ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xviii the pleading note in.htm

Of the Wonderful Power of the Divine Love
... but breaketh out above all measure; love feeleth no burden, reckoneth not labours,
striveth after more than it is able to do, pleadeth not impossibility ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter v of the wonderful.htm

Revive us Again.
... and liveth again. 4 Rejoice and be glad: for our King is on high; He pleadeth
for us on his throne in the sky. 5 Rejoice and be ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/316 revive us again 10s.htm

Zion Awakened
... Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: Thus saith
thy Lord, the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/zion awakened.htm

True Prayer --True Power!
... need for it, with the danger which you will be in unless that object should be granted,
that you will be compelled to plead for it as a man pleadeth for his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/true prayertrue power.htm

Hooker -- the Activity of Faith; Or, Abraham's Imitators
... No; mark how he pleadeth with God: "Lord God (saith he), what wilt thou give me,
seeing I go childless?" His eye is upon the promise that God had made to him ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/hooker the activity of.htm

Death and Life in Christ
... the names of his people, and for Zion's sake he doth not hold his peace, and for
Jerusalem's sake he doth not rest day nor night, but ever pleadeth""Oh God! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/death and life in christ.htm

The Clergyman and the Prayer Book.
... or no you see your way to give an address, let it be seen that you are dealing with
God in the prayers, and read the Lessons "as one that pleadeth with men.". ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter ix the clergyman and.htm

Pleadeth (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pleadeth (9 Occurrences). ... Or know ye not what the scripture
saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: (ASV). ...
/p/pleadeth.htm - 8k

Pleading (12 Occurrences)

/p/pleading.htm - 10k

Plead (64 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/p/plead.htm - 31k

Justly (22 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 59:4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust
in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. ...
/j/justly.htm - 12k

Goblet (6 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 51:22 thus saith thy Lord, Jehovah, and thy God, who pleadeth the cause of
his people, Behold, I take out of thy hand the cup of bewilderment, the goblet ...
/g/goblet.htm - 9k

Goodwill (5 Occurrences)
... evil, it shall come unto him. (See NIV). Proverbs 14:9 Amends pleadeth for
fools; but among the upright there is good will. (See NIV). ...
/g/goodwill.htm - 7k

Goblet-cup (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 51:22 thus saith thy Lord, Jehovah, and thy God, who pleadeth the cause of
his people, Behold, I take out of thy hand the cup of bewilderment, the goblet ...
/g/goblet-cup.htm - 6k

Truthfulness (3 Occurrences)
... to our forefathers-- (WEY RSV). Isaiah 59:4 none calleth for justice, none
pleadeth in truthfulness. They trust in vanity, and speak ...
/t/truthfulness.htm - 7k

Righteously (22 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 59:4 None sueth in righteousness, and none pleadeth in truth; they trust
in vanity, and speak lies, they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. ...
/r/righteously.htm - 12k

Dregs (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 51:22 Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of
his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even ...
/d/dregs.htm - 9k

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