A suppliant is one who earnestly and humbly seeks help, favor, or mercy, often in a religious or spiritual context. In the Bible, the concept of a suppliant is closely associated with prayer, petition, and the seeking of divine intervention or assistance. The posture of a suppliant is one of humility and dependence, recognizing the sovereignty and power of God.

Biblical Examples:

1. Hannah's Prayer: One of the most poignant examples of a suppliant in the Bible is Hannah, the mother of Samuel. In 1 Samuel 1:10-11 , Hannah is described as being "deeply distressed" and she "prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly." She made a vow, saying, "O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life." Hannah's earnest plea and her vow exemplify the heart of a suppliant seeking God's intervention.

2. David's Supplications: King David frequently assumed the role of a suppliant, as seen in the Psalms. In Psalm 86:6-7 , David cries out, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy. In the day of my distress I call on You, because You answer me." David's life, marked by moments of distress and triumph, often led him to seek God's guidance and deliverance through heartfelt supplication.

3. The Canaanite Woman: In the New Testament, the Canaanite woman who approached Jesus is another example of a suppliant. In Matthew 15:22-28 , she cried out, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon." Despite initial resistance, her persistent faith and humility moved Jesus to grant her request, healing her daughter.

Theological Significance:

The role of a suppliant in the Bible underscores the importance of humility and faith in approaching God. It reflects a recognition of human limitations and the need for divine grace and intervention. The act of supplication is not merely a request for help but an expression of trust in God's character and promises.

Prayer and Supplication:

The Apostle Paul encourages believers to adopt the posture of a suppliant in their spiritual lives. In Philippians 4:6 , he writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This exhortation highlights the importance of bringing all concerns to God with a heart of gratitude and trust.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the role of a suppliant was not limited to religious contexts but was also seen in social and political spheres. Individuals would often approach kings or leaders with petitions, seeking justice or favor. This cultural backdrop enriches the biblical understanding of supplication, as it parallels the believer's approach to God as the ultimate King and Judge.

Conclusion:

The concept of a suppliant in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the believer's relationship with God. It calls for a posture of humility, faith, and persistent prayer, trusting in God's ability and willingness to respond to the cries of His people.1. (a.) Asking earnestly and submissively; entreating; beseeching; supplicating.

2. (a.) Manifesting entreaty; expressive of supplication.

3. (n.) One who supplicates; a humble petitioner; one who entreats submissively.

2428. hiketeria -- supplication
... hik-et-ay-ree'-ah) Short Definition: supplication, entreaty Definition: (originally:
the olive branch held in the hand of the suppliant), supplication, entreaty ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2428.htm - 7k6282. athar -- suppliant, worshiper
... 6281, 6282. athar. 6282a . suppliant, worshiper. Transliteration: athar Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-thawr') Short Definition: suppliant. suppliant, thick ...
/hebrew/6282.htm - 5k

6282a. athar -- suppliant, worshiper
... suppliant, worshiper. Transliteration: athar Short Definition: worshipers. Word
Origin from athar Definition suppliant, worshiper NASB Word Usage worshipers (1) ...
/hebrew/6282a.htm - 5k

September the Fourth a Portrait of a Great Suppliant
... SEPTEMBER The Fourth A PORTRAIT OF A GREAT SUPPLIANT. MATTHEW viii.5-13. Here we
have the grace of sympathy; one man troubled about the sickness of another. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/september the fourth a portrait.htm

This is the Image of the Queen
... Most holy Mary! at thy feet I bend a suppliant knee; In this thy own sweet month
of May, Dear Mother of my God, I pray, Do thou remember me. ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 82 this is the.htm

What God Will do for Us
... There are promises for the suppliant, promises for the troubled, promises for mortals. ...
Now let us look at these three. I. The promise to the suppliant. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/what god will do for.htm

Heal Me, O My Savior, Heal
... Heal me, O my Savior, heal; Heal me as I suppliant kneel; Heal me, and my pardon
seal. ... Cheerless, none can cheer but thou; Suppliant, Lord, to thee I bow. ...
/.../ash wednesday and lent 137.htm

Answer to Objections: He who Prays Prays not Alone
... In the very season of prayer, accordingly, being reminded by the suppliant of his
needs, they satisfy them as they have ability by virtue of their general ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter vi answer to objections .htm

The Importunate Widow.
... Earnest, repeated, unyielding appeal by a needy, feeble suppliant before the throne
of power;"this is the fruit which is precious for the Teacher's purpose ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxviii the importunate widow.htm

Answer to Objections: the True Place of Prayer in Man's Life
... be full of power above all when praying "with the spirit," they pray "also with
the understanding," which is like a light rising from the suppliant's mind and ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter vii answer to objections .htm

Pet. 3:3-14
... in ev'ry change secure; The meek, the suppliant contrite race,. shall find his mercy
sure. The contrite race he counts his friends. forbids the suppliant's fall ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/62 2 pet 3 3-14.htm

PM Mrs. Hemans. The Cry of the Afflicted.
... A hymn of suppliant breath, Owning that life and death Alike are Thine. ... Hear, hear
our suppliant breath; Keep us, in life and death, Thine, only Thine! ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/344 p m mrs hemans.htm

M. *John Taylor. A Penitential Hymn.
... M. *John Taylor. A Penitential Hymn. 1 God of mercy! God of love! Hear our sad,
repentant songs; Listen to Thy suppliant ones, Thou, to whom all grace belongs! ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/201 7s m john taylor.htm

Suppliant (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) One who supplicates; a humble petitioner; one who entreats submissively.
Multi-Version Concordance Suppliant (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/suppliant.htm - 7k

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)
... the other. No doubt several attitudes were assumed by the worshipper or
suppliant while offering a prayer or petition. The intensity ...
/a/attitudes.htm - 20k

Lift (283 Occurrences)
... may denote the bestowal of favor (Psalm 4:6); it may mean the attitude of a righteous
man toward God (Job 22:26), or simply the attitude of a suppliant (Ezra 9 ...
/l/lift.htm - 41k

Fasting (34 Occurrences)
... compassion. Any and every act that would manifest the distressful state of
the suppliant would appeal to the Deity and move Him to pity. ...
/f/fasting.htm - 23k

Respect (204 Occurrences)
... As applied to a (prostrate) suppliant, the phrase means "receive him with favor,"
and is so used in 1 Samuel 25:35 Malachi 1:8, 9 (compare Genesis 19:21, etc ...
/r/respect.htm - 38k

Methushael (1 Occurrence)
... The meaning of the name is doubtful. Dillmann suggested "suppliant or man of
God.". Multi-Version Concordance Methushael (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/methushael.htm - 7k

Persons (156 Occurrences)
... As applied to a (prostrate) suppliant, the phrase means "receive him with favor,"
and is so used in 1 Samuel 25:35 Malachi 1:8, 9 (compare Genesis 19:21, etc ...
/p/persons.htm - 38k

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Lying at mercy, as a supplicant. 3. (a.) Lying in a humble, lowly, or
suppliant posture. 4. (a.) Trailing on the ground; procumbent. ...
/p/prostrate.htm - 14k

Curse (211 Occurrences)
... that it is possible to enlist the support of the superhuman beings with whom the
universe abounds, and to persuade them to carry out the suppliant's wishes. ...
/c/curse.htm - 46k

Ahab (85 Occurrences)
... But when Benhadad in the garb of a suppliant was compelled to sue for his life,
Ahab received into kindly as his brother, and although denounced by the ...
/a/ahab.htm - 52k

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