Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "plead" often refers to the act of making a fervent appeal or earnest request, typically in a legal or judicial setting. It is used to describe both human interactions and divine-human communication, where individuals seek justice, mercy, or intervention from God or others.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "plead" is frequently associated with legal disputes and the pursuit of justice. The Hebrew word often translated as "plead" is "רִיב" (riv), which can mean to contend, dispute, or argue a case. For example, in
Isaiah 1:17, the prophet calls the people to "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow" . Here, pleading is an act of advocating for the vulnerable and ensuring justice is served.
The concept of pleading is also seen in the context of God's relationship with His people. In
Isaiah 43:26, God invites His people to "Review the past for Me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence" . This illustrates a divine invitation to engage in dialogue and present one's case before God.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word "παρακαλέω" (parakaleó) is often used in contexts that involve pleading or making an earnest appeal. While the term "plead" itself is less frequently used in English translations of the New Testament, the concept is present in the actions and teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
For instance, in
Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow who continually pleads with an unjust judge for justice. Her persistence is eventually rewarded, illustrating the importance of perseverance in prayer and the assurance that God, unlike the unjust judge, will respond to the pleas of His people.
Theological ImplicationsThe act of pleading in the Bible underscores the importance of justice, mercy, and advocacy. It reflects a deep reliance on God as the ultimate judge and advocate for His people. Pleading is not merely a legal action but a spiritual exercise that involves trust in God's righteousness and His willingness to hear and respond to the cries of His people.
In a broader theological sense, pleading can also be seen in the intercessory work of Christ.
Hebrews 7:25 states, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them" . Here, Christ's intercession is a form of pleading on behalf of believers, ensuring their access to God's grace and mercy.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the biblical concept of pleading encourages active engagement in prayer and advocacy. It calls Christians to be voices for justice and compassion in their communities, following the example of Christ and the prophets. Pleading with God in prayer is an expression of faith and dependence on His sovereign will and perfect justice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. p.) of Plead.
2. (v. t.) To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
3. (v. t.) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense, to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry on a suit or plea.
4. (v. t.) To contend; to struggle.
5. (v. t.) To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having authority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury.
6. (v. t.) To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty.
7. (v. t.) To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vindication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PLEADpled: In modern non-legal English is a synonym of "pray" or "beseech," but in legal phraseology "plea," "plead," and "pleading" have a great variety of technical meanings, with "present a case before the court" as the idea common to all. All the uses of "plead" in English Versions of the Bible are connected with this legal sense, so that outside of the set phrase "plead a cause" (1 Samuel 24:15, etc.) there is hardly a use of the word in the King James Version, the English Revised Version, or the American Standard Revised Version that is clear modern English The most obscure instances are due to The King James Version's employment of "plead" to translate the niphal of shaphaT. ShaphaT means "judge," so its niphal means "bring oneself into a case to be judged," "enter into controversy with," and so "plead" in the legal sense. 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 King James Version, the English Revised Version, etc.), the meaning is that God states His side of the case and not at all that He supplicates man to repent. And this statement by God is a judicial act that of course admits of no reply. Hence, the Revised Version (British and American) has changed "plead with" into "enter into judgment with" inJeremiah 2:35, and the American Standard Revised Version has carried this change into all the other passages (Jeremiah 25:31Ezekiel 17:20;Ezekiel 20:35, 36; 38:22), with "execute judgment" inIsaiah 66:16Joel 3:2. The same verb form occurs also inIsaiah 43:26: "Let us plead together," where "Let us present our arguments on both sides" would be a fair paraphrase. Otherwise "plead" usually represents ribh, for which the Revised Version (British and American) gives "strive" in place of "plead" inPsalm 35:1, and "contend" inJob 13:19;Job 23:6 (the American Standard Revised Version also inJudges 6:31, 32Isaiah 3:13Jeremiah 2:9;Jeremiah 12:1Hosea 2:2, retaining "plead" only inIsaiah 1:17 and in the phrase "plead a cause"). yakhach, is rendered "plead" inJob 19:5 ("plead against me my reproach," where the meaning is "convict me of"), inMicah 6:2 the King James Version and the English Revised Version (the American Standard Revised Version "contend"), andJob 16:21 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "maintain the right"). "Plead" is used also for din, inJeremiah 30:13 andProverbs 31:9 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "minister justice to"), andJeremiah 5:28 the Revised Version (British and American) (the King James Version "judge"; compareJeremiah 22:16, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "judge"). the Revised Version (British and American) would have done vastly better if the use of "plead" had been avoided altogether.
Pleadings (i.e. "arguments") occurs inJob 13:6 (for ribh), and "plea" (din, in a specific legal sense) inDeuteronomy 17:8. the King James Version uses "implead" inActs 19:38 for egkaleo, the Revised Version (British and American) "accuse," literally, "call into court"; compare also "pleaded the cause" in 2 Maccabees 4:44 (literally, "argued the case") and 4:47, the Revised Version (British and American) "pleaded" (literally, "spoken," the King James Version "told their cause").
Burton Scott Easton
Greek
5241. huperentugchano -- to intercede, to make petition for... Word Origin from huper and entugchano Definition to intercede, to make petition
for NASB Word Usage intercedes (1). to
plead, intercede.
...1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous
... Spelling: (dik-ah-yo'-o) Short Definition: I make righteous, defend the cause of,
justify Definition: I make righteous, defend the cause of,plead for the...
1793. entugchano -- to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext....
... confer with, by ext. entreat NASB Word Usage appealed (1), intercedes (2), make
intercession (1), pleads (1).plead with, make intercession....
3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... 1), exhorted (2), exhorting (3), exhorts (1), given (1), implore (4), implored
(9), imploring (5), invited (2), making an appeal (1),plead (1), pleaded (1...
Strong's Hebrew
7378. rib -- to strive, contend... 2), contend (22), contended (9), contends (1), dispute (1), ever strive (1), filed
(1), find fault (1), have a quarrel (1), judge (1),
plead (9),
plead my case
...3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove
... argument prove (1), chastened (1), cleared (1), complained (1), correct (2), decide
(3), dispute (1), make a decision (1), offer reproof (1),plead (1), prove...
8199. shaphat -- to judge, govern
... a controversy (1), Judge (5), judge (93), judged (22), judges (36), judges decide
(1), judges governed (1), judges...judged (1), judging (5),plead (1), pleads...
1245. baqash -- to seek
... 1), consulted (1), demand (1), desire (1), eager (1), hold* (1), inquired (2),
investigated (1), look (3), looked (1), looking (3),plead (1), pursuit (1...
7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... complaint (2), contend (1), contention (1), contentions (3), controversy (1), dispute
(11), disputes (1), indictment (1), lawsuit (1), plea (1),plead his case...
1777. din -- to judge
... root Definition to judge NASB Word Usage administer (1), defend (1), dispute (1),
execute judgment (1), govern (1), judge (9), judges (2),plead (2), pled (1...
Library
Rogation Days 183. Lord, in Thy Name Thy ServantsPlead
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Rogation Days 183. Lord, in thy Name thy servantsplead.
CM... James Turle, 1835. John Keble, 1856. Lord, in thy Name thy servantsplead,....
"We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous....
... priest, so he did not intrude upon the advocateship, "but he that said, Thou art
my Son called him to it." If a man had never so great ability toplead in the...
The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
... I would hope Some of my readers will ingenuously fall under the conviction, and
not think of making any apology; for sure I am, that, humbly toplead guilty at...
Revelation of Esdras.
... angels. And I said to them: I wish toplead before God about the race of the
Christians.... it. And Esdras said: Let usplead in Thy hearing....
The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
... 2. Permit me therefore, O sinner, to consider myself at this time as an advocate
for God, as one employed in his name toplead against thee and to charge thee...
Psalm CXX.
... The "sharp arrows of the Mighty One," are the words of God...What then are the
"coals that lay waste?" It is not enough toplead with words against a deceitful...
Two visitors by Night
... Why not go to Constantinople, andplead the cause of Antioch before the Emperor?'....
Even their advocates will notplead for the accused in these cruel days....
"And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,",
... and the lower house of a man's own conscience, when man's accuser is within him,
and God, his righteous Judge, above him, who can come in toplead such a man's...
The Poor Man's Friend
... You know that, when a man has a suit at law, (I hope that none of you may ever have
such a suit,) if he has an advocate toplead his cause, he does notplead...
The Importunate Widow.
... is mighty. It is their interest toplead with him who has all power in
heaven and in earth,"toplead as menplead for life. The...
Thesaurus
Plead (64 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (pp) of
Plead. 2. (vt) To argue in support
of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to
...Whilst (21 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Judges 6:31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will
yeplead for Baal? will ye save him? he that willplead for...
Pleadeth (9 Occurrences)
... how he pleadeth with God against Israel: (ASV). Judges 6:31 And Joash saith to all
who have stood against him, 'Ye, do yeplead for Baal? ye -- do ye save him?...
Pleaded (21 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofPlead.... Ezekiel 20:36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the
wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will Iplead with you, saith the Lord GOD....
Defend (38 Occurrences)
... My Lord, contend for me! (WEB). Psalms 43:1 Vindicate me, God, andplead my cause
against an ungodly nation.... Psalms 74:22 Arise, God!Plead your own cause....
Plea (35 Occurrences)
... Psalms 74:22 Arise, God!Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks
you all day.... (See NIV). Psalms 119:154Plead my cause, and redeem me!...
Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... Why should the peopleplead for Baal? A god should be able toplead his
own cause (Judges 6:28). This defense gained for Gideon...
Vindicate (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 24:15 May Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you,
and see, andplead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand." (See NIV)....
Jerubbaal (15 Occurrences)
... Contender with Baal; or, let Baalplead, a surname of Gideon; a name given to him
because he destroyed the altar of Baal (Judges 6:32; 7:1; 8:29; 1 Samuel 12:11...
Prostitutions (6 Occurrences)
... Hosea 2:2Plead with your mother,plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her
husband: let her therefore put away her prostitutions out of her sight, and...
Resources
Is pleading the blood of Jesus biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Euodia and Syntyche in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.orgPlead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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