Lexical Summary
palal: pray, prayed, praying
Original Word:פָלַל
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:palal
Pronunciation:pah-LAHL
Phonetic Spelling:(paw-lal')
KJV: intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication
NASB:pray, prayed, praying, prays, intercede, expected, interceded
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to judge (officially or mentally)
2. by extension, to intercede, pray
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
entreat, judgment, make prayer make supplication
A primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray -- intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto intervene, interpose
NASB Translationexpected (1), intercede (2), interceded (1), interposed (1), made judgment favorable (1), make supplication (1), mediate (1), pray (36), prayed (28), praying (8), prays (4).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[]
84 probably (hence both
arbitrate, judge, and
intercede, pray, compare Dr
1Samuel 2:25; Late Hebrew (rare), ,
pray,
act of prayer,
judicial matter; — otherwise We
Heid. (2), 126 who conjectures derivation for from Arabic
notch edge (of sword, etc.), i.e.
cut one-self in worship); —
mediate, judge: Perfect3masculine singular consecutive,arbitrate, suffix1 Samuel 2:25 (but read probably 3 plural We Dr and others, word-play with following); 2 feminine singularEzekiel 16:52mediate for ( person) namely, through thine own sins; 1 singularGenesis 48:11 (E; possibly denominative from )I did notjudge (have the opinion, expect) to see, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularPsalm 106:30 (absolute)he interposed (by slaying offender).
80Perfect3masculine singular1 Kings 8:42; 1singular1 Samuel 1:27, etc.;ImperfectPsalm 32:6 +;1 Samuel 2:25; 1singularPsalm 5:3, etc.;ImperativeNumbers 21:7 +, etc.;Infinitive constructEzekiel 10:1 +, etc.;ParticipleJeremiah 42:4 +, etc.; —
specificallyintercede (with ), with ,on behalf ofGenesis 20:7;Numbers 21:7 (E)Deuteronomy 9:20;1 Samuel 12:23 6t.; with ,1 Samuel 2:25;Numbers 11:2;Numbers 21:7 (JE)Deuteronomy 9:26; with +1 Samuel 7:5;Jeremiah 29:7 4t.;Genesis 20:17 (E); withfor2Chronicles 30:18;Job 42:8 (late).
Generallypray, with , unto idolIsaiah 44:17;Isaiah 45:20; unto IsraelIsaiah 45:14;Isaiah 16:12.
pray (to ), absolute1 Kings 8:33;2 Kings 6:17;Ezra 10:1;Daniel 9:20; 2Chronicles 6:24; 7:1,14, with1 Samuel 1:26;1 Samuel 8:6;2 Kings 4:33;2 Kings 6:18;2 Kings 20:2 =Isaiah 38:2 2Chronicles 32:24, + 10 t.;2 Samuel 7:27;1 Kings 8:54;1 Samuel 1:10 (read);1 Samuel 1:12;1 Kings 8:28 + 5t.; withDaniel 9:4; with of thing prayed for1 Samuel 1:27; withagainst2 Kings 19:20 =Isaiah 37:21(read );because of this2Chronicles 32:20;Psalm 32:6; with location:1 Kings 8:29,30,35 2Chronicles 6:20,21,26;1 Kings 8:42 2Chronicles 6:32; with accusative1 Kings 8:44 2Chronicles 6:34;1 Kings 8:48 2Chronicles 6:38.
ofpoetical, liturgical prayer, absolute1 Samuel 2:1, withJonah 2:2.
Topical Lexicon
Scope and Significanceפָלַל is the principal Old Testament verb for prayer and intercession, appearing about eighty-four times from Genesis to Zechariah. Every occurrence portrays a deliberate movement into God’s presence to seek mercy, justice, guidance, or deliverance for oneself or others. Because the act invites divine evaluation, it shapes personal holiness, national destiny, and eschatological hope.
Frequency and Distribution
• Pentateuch – foundational examples with Abraham (Genesis 20:17) and Moses (Numbers 11:2).
• Historical Books – dense clusters with Samuel, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
• Psalms and Wisdom Literature – personal devotion and liturgical use (Psalm 5:2;Job 42:10).
• Prophets – both encouragement and prohibition (Jeremiah 7:16;Zechariah 8:21).
Theology of Intercession
Intercession assumes covenant relationship. God acts in history through the prayers of His people, yet remains free to refuse hardened rebels (Jeremiah 14:11). Prayer therefore balances appeal to mercy with submission to divine judgment (Psalm 17:2).
Prayer for Deliverance and Healing
Genesis 20:17;Exodus 8:30;Numbers 21:7;2 Kings 19:20. Each instance shows God reversing catastrophe in response to prayer.
Prayer for Forgiveness and Covenant Mercy
Deuteronomy 9:26;1 Kings 8:30;2 Chronicles 30:18. Confession and restoration are central, linking individual sin to national welfare.
Prayer and Spiritual Leadership
1 Samuel 12:23 – refusal to pray is called sin. Kings and prophets succeed or fail in proportion to their prayer life.
Personal Lament and Praise
Hannah’s anguish (1 Samuel 1:10), David’s fasting (2 Samuel 12:16), Jonah’s cry (Jonah 2:1) illustrate prayer as the believer’s first resort in distress.
Temple and Liturgical Context
Solomon’s dedication (1 Kings 8:22-54) establishes the temple as a “house of prayer” open to Gentiles (Isaiah 56:7). Posture includes standing, kneeling, prostration, and uplifted hands.
Prophetic Commentary
Jeremiah exposes scenarios where intercession is futile because judgment is irrevocable, while Zechariah foresees nations streaming to Jerusalem to “seek the LORD and entreat His favor” (Zechariah 8:21).
Eschatological-Messianic Hints
Psalm 72:15 envisions perpetual prayer for the ideal king;Isaiah 53:12 joins intercession to substitutionary suffering, preparing the way for the Messiah who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).
Continuity into the New Testament
Although expressed in Greek, the same pattern governs the early church (Acts 1:14), culminating in Christ’s high-priestly ministry and the believer’s royal-priestly calling (1 Peter 2:9).
Practical Ministry Implications
1. Prayer is a covenant duty; neglect is moral failure.
2. Leaders must model persistent, Scripture-shaped intercession.
3. Effective prayer integrates confession, petition, thanksgiving, and submission to divine sovereignty.
4. Corporate prayer sustains congregational vitality and mission.
5. Even unanswered prayer serves God’s purposes, refining faith and exposing sin.
Selected Passages for Study
Genesis 20:17;Exodus 8:30;Numbers 11:2;Deuteronomy 9:26;1 Samuel 7:5;1 Samuel 12:23;2 Samuel 7:27;1 Kings 8:22-54;2 Kings 19:15-20;2 Chronicles 32:20;Ezra 10:1;Nehemiah 1:4-11;Job 42:10;Psalm 5:2;Psalm 122:6;Isaiah 56:7;Jeremiah 29:12;Jonah 2:1;Zechariah 8:21-22.
Forms and Transliterations
אֶתְפַּלָּֽל׃ אתפלל׃ בְּהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וֹ בהתפללו הִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל הִתְפַּלֵּ֧ל הִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל הִתְפַּלֵּל֙ הִתְפַּלֶּל־ הִתְפַּלַּ֣לְתָּ הִתְפַּלַּ֧לְתָּ הִתְפַּלָּ֑לְתִּי התפלל התפלל־ התפללת התפללתי וְאֶתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֗וּ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֞וּ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ וְהִֽתְפַּלְל֖וּ וְהִֽתְפַּלְל֞וּ וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּ וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וְהִתְפַּלַּלְתֶּ֖ם וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙ וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וַיְפַלֵּ֑ל וַיִּ֨תְפַּלֵּ֔ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֞ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ וַנִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וָֽאֶתְפַּֽלְלָ֛ה וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וּכְהִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וּמִתְפַּלְלִ֔ים וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל וּפִֽלְל֣וֹ ואתפלל ואתפללה והתפלל והתפללו והתפללתם ויפלל ויתפלל ויתפללו וכהתפלל ומתפלל ומתפללים ונתפלל ופללו ותתפלל יִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וּ יִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל יִתְפַּלֵּ֬ל יִתְפַּלֶּל־ יִתְפַּלָּ֔לוּ יתפלל יתפלל־ יתפללו לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּל֙ להתפלל מִתְפַּלֵּ֛ל מִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל מתפלל פִּלַּלְתְּ֙ פִלָּ֑לְתִּי פללת פללתי תִּתְפַּלֵּ֛ל תִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל ׀ תִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ תתפלל ’eṯ·pal·lāl ’eṯpallāl bə·hiṯ·pal·lōw behitpalLo bəhiṯpallōw etpalLal filLalti hiṯ·pal·lā·lə·tî hiṯ·pal·lal·tā hiṯ·pal·lêl hiṯ·pal·lel- hiṯpallālətî hitpalLalta hiṯpallaltā hitpalLalti hitpalLel hiṯpallêl hiṯpallel- lə·hiṯ·pal·lêl lehitpalLel ləhiṯpallêl miṯ·pal·lêl mitpalLel miṯpallêl p̄il·lā·lə·tî pil·lalt p̄illālətî pillalt tiṯ·pal·lêl titpalLel tiṯpallêl ū·ḵə·hiṯ·pal·lêl ū·miṯ·pal·lêl ū·miṯ·pal·lîm ū·p̄il·lōw uchehitpalLel ufilLo ūḵəhiṯpallêl umitpalLel ūmiṯpallêl umitpalLim ūmiṯpallîm ūp̄illōw vaetpalLah vaetpalLel vaiyitpalLel vannitpalLel vattitpalLel vayfalLel veetpalLel vehitpallalTem vehitpalLel vehitpalLu veyitpalLel veyitpalLu wā’eṯpallāh wā’eṯpallêl wā·’eṯ·pal·lāh wā·’eṯ·pal·lêl wan·niṯ·pal·lêl wanniṯpallêl wat·tiṯ·pal·lêl wattiṯpallêl way·p̄al·lêl way·yiṯ·pal·lêl wayp̄allêl wayyiṯpallêl wə’eṯpallêl wə·’eṯ·pal·lêl wə·hiṯ·pal·lal·tem wə·hiṯ·pal·lêl wə·hiṯ·pal·lū wə·yiṯ·pal·lêl wə·yiṯ·pal·lū wəhiṯpallaltem wəhiṯpallêl wəhiṯpallū wəyiṯpallêl wəyiṯpallū yiṯ·pal·lā·lū yiṯ·pal·lêl yiṯ·pal·lel- yiṯ·pal·lū yitpalLalu yiṯpallālū yitpallel yiṯpallêl yiṯpallel- yitpalLu yiṯpallū
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
