Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of "ask" is deeply rooted in the relationship between humanity and God, emphasizing prayer, petition, and the seeking of divine wisdom and guidance. The act of asking is portrayed as a fundamental aspect of faith and reliance on God's providence and mercy.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, asking is often associated with prayer and seeking God's will. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Solomon, who, when given the opportunity to ask for anything from God, chose wisdom. In
1 Kings 3:9 , Solomon prays, "Give Your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." This request pleased God, highlighting the importance of asking for things that align with divine purposes.
The Psalms frequently encourage believers to ask God for help and deliverance.
Psalm 2:8 states, "Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession." This verse underscores the power and authority granted through asking in accordance with God's will.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of asking in faith. In
Matthew 7:7-8 , Jesus teaches, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." This passage highlights the assurance that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people.
The Apostle James also addresses the concept of asking in
James 1:5-6 , where he writes, "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Here, the emphasis is on asking with faith and confidence in God's generosity.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, asking is an expression of dependence on God and an acknowledgment of His sovereignty. It is an act of humility, recognizing that human wisdom and strength are insufficient without divine intervention. Asking in prayer is not merely about presenting requests but is also about aligning one's desires with God's will, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus instructs His followers to pray, "Your will be done" (
Matthew 6:10).
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the practice of asking is integral to spiritual growth and communion with God. It involves not only presenting personal needs but also interceding for others and seeking guidance in all aspects of life. The act of asking should be accompanied by faith, patience, and a willingness to accept God's timing and answers, which may differ from human expectations.
In summary, the biblical concept of asking is a multifaceted practice that encompasses prayer, faith, and submission to God's will. It is a vital component of the believer's relationship with God, reflecting trust in His goodness and provision.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to solicit; -- often with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed.
2. (v. t.) To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity; as, what price do you ask?
3. (v. t.) To interrogate or inquire of or concerning; to put a question to or about; to question.
4. (v. t.) To invite; as, to ask one to an entertainment.
5. (v. t.) To publish in church for marriage; -- said of both the banns and the persons.
6. (v. i.) To request or petition; -- usually followed by for; as, to ask for bread.
7. (v. i.) To make inquiry, or seek by request; -- sometimes followed by after.
8. (n.) A water newt.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASKask (sha'al "to inquire," "to seek for counsel," "to demand"): It is the word commonly used in the Old Testament and is equivalent to eperotao, "to request," used in the New Testament. It does not imply any inferiority on the part of the person asking (Psalm 2:8). It is the Son who is bidden to ask, and therefore the word expresses the request of an equal. It has also the meaning "to inquire": "Wherefore. ask after my name?" (Genesis 32:29) signifying, "Surely you must know who I am." "Ye shall ask me no question" (John 16:23), i.e. "about the true meaning of My words, for all will then be clear to you" (Dummelow). aiteo, is the word commonly used with reference to prayer. It means "to ask," "to implore," and presents the petitioner as an inferior asking from a superior (Matthew 6:8;Matthew 7:7, 8Mark 10:35John 14:13, and in many other places). It is not, however, asking in the sense of the word beg, but rather that of a child making request of its father. The petitioner asks both because of his need and of the assurance that he is welcome. He is assured before he asks that the petition will be granted, if he asks in accordance with God's will (1John 3:22;John 5:15). Moreover the Spirit leads us to such asking in that He reveals our need and the goodness of God to us. SeeAMISS;PRAYER.
Jacob W. Kapp
Greek
2065. erotao -- toask, question... to
ask, question. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: erotao Phonetic Spelling:
(er-o-tah'-o) Short Definition: I
ask, question, request Definition: (a) I
ask...523. apaiteo -- toask back
... toask back. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apaiteo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ah'-ee-teh-o) Short Definition: Iask back,ask what is my due Definition: I...
154. aiteo -- toask, request
... toask, request. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aiteo Phonetic Spelling:
(ahee-teh'-o) Short Definition: Iask, request, beg, petition Definition: Iask...
1809. exaiteo -- toask for oneself (mid.), demand
... toask for oneself (mid.), demand. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exaiteo
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-ahee-teh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I demand of,ask...
4319. prosaiteo -- toask besides
... toask besides. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosaiteo Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-ahee-teh'-o) Short Definition: I beg Definition: I beg,ask earnestly...
4319a. prosaiteo -- toask besides
... toask besides. Transliteration: prosaiteo Short Definition: beg. Word Origin from
pros and aiteo Definition toask besides NASB Word Usage beg (1)....
1905. eperotao -- to inquire of
... 1905 (from , ", fitting" intensifying 2065 , "inquire,ask") -- properly,ask
appropriately (aptly), done by someone on "preferred footing" who makes a request...
4441. punthanomai -- to inquire, by impl. to learn
... to learn. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: punthanomai Phonetic Spelling:
(poon-than'-om-ahee) Short Definition: Iask, inquire Definition: Iask, inquire...
1871. epaiteo -- to beg
... to beg. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epaiteo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ahee-teh'-o) Short Definition: I beg,ask alms Definition: I beg, am a beggar,...
3423. mnesteuo -- to espouse, betroth
... to espouse, betroth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mnesteuo Phonetic Spelling:
(mnace-tyoo'-o) Short Definition: Iask in marriage Definition: Iask in...
Strong's Hebrew
7592. shaal -- toask, inquire... 7591, 7592. shaal. 7593 . to
ask, inquire. Transliteration: shaal Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-al') Short Definition:
ask. Word Origin a prim.
...1156. bea -- toask, seek
... bea. 1157 . toask, seek. Transliteration: bea Phonetic Spelling: (beh-aw') Short
Definition: requested....ask, desire, make petition, pray, request, seek....
7593. sheel -- toask
... 7592, 7593. sheel. 7594 . toask. Transliteration: sheel Phonetic Spelling:
(sheh-ale') Short Definition: asked....ask, demand, require....
1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... root Definition to resort to, seek NASB Word Usageask (1), avenge (1), calls (1),
care (1), cares (3), comes the reckoning (1), consult (2), consulted by them...
1245. baqash -- to seek
...ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,. A
primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically...
7235a. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great
... root Definition to be or become much, many or great NASB Word Usage abundance (2),
abundant (2), abundantly (1), amounts (1),ask (1), became many (1), became...
7235. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great
... er, -ly, X -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use)
many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be...
559. amar -- to utter, say
... root Definition to utter, say NASB Word Usage address (1), advised (1), answer
(2), answered (50), answers (1),ask (2), asked (4), asking (1), Asserting (1...
7185. qashah -- to be hard, severe or fierce
... A primitive root; properly, to be dense, ie Tough or severe (in various applications) --
be cruel, be fiercer, make grievous, be ((ask a), be in, have, seem...
1158. baah -- to inquire, cause to swell or boil up
... A primitive root; to gush over, ie To swell; (figuratively) to desire earnestly;
by implication toask -- cause, inquire, seek up, swell out. 1157, 1158....
Library
We WouldAsk You, and You Above All, O Romans...
... Book IV. 1 We wouldask you, and you above all, O Romans? We wouldask
you, and you above all, O Romans, lords and princes of...
And, IAsk, what Reason is There, what Unavoidable Necessity...
... Book III. 21 And, Iask, what reason is there, what unavoidable necessity?
And, Iask, what reason is there, what unavoidable...
If YouAsk
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 53 If youask. If youask, what is become of us since
the fall? because all these things now lately named semi...
For IAsk, if what is not Known must not be Believed...
... Section 26. For Iask, if what is not known must not be believed? 26.
For Iask, if what is not known must not be believed, in...
ToAsk Therefore, Why the Fallen Angels Continue in their State...
... [Way-1-84] Toask therefore, why the fallen angels continue in their state?
Toask therefore, why the fallen angels continue in...
Fifth Lesson.Ask, and it Shall be Given You;
... FIFTH LESSON.Ask, and it shall be given you;Ask, and it shall be given you;...
Yeask, and receive not, because yeask amiss.'"James 4:3....
January 12. "Ask and it Shall be Given You" (Matt. vii. 7).
... JANUARY 12. "Ask and it shall be given you" (Matt. vii. 7). "Ask and it shall
be given you" (Matthew 7:7). We must receive, as well asask....
Whether it is a Mortal Sin toAsk for the Debt at a Holy Time?
... OF THE THINGS ANNEXED TO MARRIAGE, AND FIRST OF THE PAYMENT OF THE MARRIAGE DEBT
(TEN ARTICLES) Whether it is a mortal sin toask for the debt at a holy time?...
Whether we Ought toAsk for Something Definite when we Pray?
... OF PRAYER (SEVENTEEN ARTICLES) Whether we ought toask for something definite
when we pray? Objection 1: It would seem that we ought...
ToAsk Therefore, Why the Fallen Angels were not Helped by the...
... [Way-1-85] Toask therefore, why the fallen angels were not helped by
the mercy and goodness? Toask therefore, why the fallen...
Thesaurus
Ask (1255 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or
return, or as a matter of necessity; as, what price do you
ask?
...ASK.
...Demand (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) Toask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from, as by authority
or right; to claim, as something due; to call for urgently or peremptorily; as...
Petition (33 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To make a prayer or request to; toask from; to solicit; to entreat; especially,
to make a formal written supplication, or application to, as to any...
Questions (76 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 22:46 No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any
man dareask him any more questions from that day forth....
Whatsoever (167 Occurrences)
... thence. (KJV ASV DBY). Matthew 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to
give her whatsoever she wouldask. (KJV ASV DBY). Matthew...
Durst (9 Occurrences)
... Durst (9 Occurrences). Matthew 22:46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither
durst any man from that day forthask him any more questions....
Whatever (411 Occurrences)
... it. (DBY). Matthew 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever
she shouldask. (WEB WEY BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Consult (27 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Toask advice of; to seek the opinion of; to apply to for information or
instruction; to refer to; as, to consult a physician; to consult a dictionary....
Hitherto (34 Occurrences)
... even until now," that is, "on the Sabbath as well as on other days', and I do as
He does"; John 16:24, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:ask, and ye...
Surely (587 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:22 They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began toask him, "It
isn't me, is it, Lord?" (See NAS NIV).... John 18:21 Why do youask me?...
Resources
What is the meaning of “you have not because you ask not” in James 4:2? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, "Ask and you shall receive"? | GotQuestions.orgIs it biblical to ask Jesus into your heart? | GotQuestions.orgAsk: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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