Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "appealing" can be understood as making a request or plea, often directed towards God or a figure of authority. This act is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where individuals and communities frequently appeal to God for guidance, mercy, and intervention.
Old Testament Examples1.
Moses' Appeal for Israel: One of the most notable appeals in the Old Testament is Moses' intercession for the Israelites. After the people sinned by worshiping the golden calf, God expressed His intention to destroy them. Moses appealed to God on their behalf, reminding Him of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. "So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people" (
Exodus 32:14).
2.
Hannah's Plea for a Child: In 1 Samuel, Hannah's heartfelt appeal to God for a child is a profound example of personal supplication. She prayed earnestly, and God granted her request, giving her a son, Samuel. "And she made a vow, saying, 'O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me...'" (
1 Samuel 1:11).
3.
Hezekiah's Prayer for Deliverance: King Hezekiah's appeal to God during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem is another significant instance. Hezekiah prayed for deliverance, and God responded by sending an angel to destroy the Assyrian army. "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, 'O LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth...'" (
2 Kings 19:15).
New Testament Examples1.
The Canaanite Woman's Faith: In the New Testament, the Canaanite woman appealed to Jesus for the healing of her demon-possessed daughter. Despite initial resistance, her faith and persistence led to her request being granted. "Then Jesus answered her, 'O woman, your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour" (
Matthew 15:28).
2.
Paul's Appeal to Caesar: The Apostle Paul made a legal appeal to Caesar when he was accused by the Jewish leaders. This appeal was a strategic move to ensure a fair trial and to further the spread of the Gospel. "But Paul said, 'I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried... I appeal to Caesar!'" (
Acts 25:10-11).
3.
Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane: Jesus Himself made an appeal to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, expressing His desire for the cup of suffering to pass from Him, yet submitting to God's will. "Going a little farther, He fell face down and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will'" (
Matthew 26:39).
Theological ImplicationsThe act of appealing in the Bible underscores the relationship between humanity and the divine. It reflects a dependence on God's sovereignty and mercy, acknowledging His power to intervene in human affairs. Appeals are often accompanied by faith, humility, and a recognition of God's ultimate authority. The biblical narrative encourages believers to approach God with their requests, trusting in His wisdom and timing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Appeal.
2. (a.) That appeals; imploring.
Greek
2570. kalos -- beautiful, good... 2570 -- ; () others to embrace what is lovely (beautiful, praiseworthy);
ie done so as to be winsome (
appealing). Word Origin a prim.
...940. baskaino -- to slander, hence by ext. to bewitch
... to exercise evil power over someone, like putting them under a spell; (used only
in Gal 3:1); (figuratively) ("be spellbinding"),appealing to someone's...
3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... Word Origin from para and kaleo Definition to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
NASB Word Usage appeal (4), appealed (1),appealing (2), beg (1), begging...
2573. kalos -- well
... Cognate: 2573 (the adverbial form of 2570 ) -- well-; as good (advantageous,
appealing), ie as "winsomely attractive." See 2570 ()....
Library
Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Escape Judgment by...
... OF SINS COMMITTED AGAINST JUSTICE ON THE PART OF THE DEFENDANT (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful for the accused to escape judgment byappealing?...
On the Question of an Accused BishopAppealing to the Seat of the...
... V. On the question of an accused bishopappealing to the seat of the apostles. On
the question of an accused bishopappealing to the seat of the apostles....
But that You May not Suppose this to be a Novel Doctrine Peculiar...
... And mortal man, if he have fallen, shall he be no more?" Dost thou not see, that
in these words he isappealing to men's sense of shame, as it were, and saying...
The Intercessory Prayers of Christians
... to God. Preaching is God's way ofappealing to the will of man, and praying
is man's way ofappealing to the will of God. Our Lord's...
Jesus Only
... When he says, "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" he isappealing
to your fears. When he sets eternal life before you, and...
The Aggravated Guilt of Him who Delivered Christ to Pilate.
... I. Pilate blaming Jesus, for refusing to answer him"boasting of his power, and
appealing to our Lord, that he possessed it. Speakest thou not unto me?...
Intenser Wooing.
... There is not only theappealing dramatic element, as in the walking on the water,
but theappealing sympathetic element in that this poor man's lifelong burden...
March 11. "But Ye are a Chosen Generation, a Peculiar People" (I....
... sounded the trumpet of Abiezer there resorted to him more than thirty thousand men;
but these had to be picked, so a first test was applied,appealing to their...
The Ethics of Elfland
... The man who quotes some German historian against the tradition of the Catholic
Church, for instance, is strictlyappealing to aristocracy....
The Fight for the Gospel; Or, Moravians and Rationalists, 1775...
... If every difficult theological question is to be solved by simplyappealing to passages
of Scripture, it is obvious that little room is left for profound and...
Thesaurus
Appealing (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Appeal. 2. (a.) That appeals;
imploring. Multi-Version Concordance
Appealing (3 Occurrences).
...Appealed (19 Occurrences)
Stephen (13 Occurrences)
... foul means that the enemies of Jesus had resorted to, by suborning false witnesses
to the plot, by stirring up the people against him, byappealing to their...
Unknown (15 Occurrences)
... Some Athenians, at any rate, felt the religious inadequacy of all known deities
and wereappealing to the God who they felt must exist, although they knew...
Ordeal (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) An ancient form of test to determine guilt or innocence, byappealing to
a supernatural decision, -- once common in Europe, and still practiced in the...
Languish (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To assume an expression of weariness or tender grief,appealing for sympathy.
3. (vi) To cause to droop or pine. 4. (n.) See Languishment....
Fasting (34 Occurrences)
... The interesting incident recorded in 2 Samuel 12:16-23 suggests the twofold
significance of fasting as a religious act or a mode ofappealing to the Deity and...
Massah (5 Occurrences)
... It is near the beginning of the desert wanderings. In dearth of water the people
murmur and complain. Moses,appealing to God, is told what to do....
Meribah (11 Occurrences)
... It is near the beginning of the desert wanderings. In dearth of water the people
murmur and complain. Moses,appealing to God, is told what to do....
Crying (247 Occurrences)
... 15:25 Psalm 34:17; Psalm 77:1 Isaiah 19:20 Lamentations 2:18); qara' (a mimetic
word) has the widest signification, but is often used ofappealing to God...
Resources
Can a Christian woman consider getting breast implants / breast augmentation? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I become more motivated for soul winning? | GotQuestions.orgIs God cruel? | GotQuestions.orgAppealing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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