Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "pleaded" often refers to the act of earnestly appealing or making a heartfelt request to God or another person. This action is typically characterized by a deep sense of urgency, humility, and sincerity. Throughout the Scriptures, various individuals are depicted as pleading with God or others, often in times of distress, need, or repentance.
Old Testament Instances1.
Abraham's Intercession for Sodom: One of the earliest examples of pleading in the Bible is found in
Genesis 18:22-33. Abraham pleads with God to spare the city of Sodom if righteous people can be found there. His persistent intercession demonstrates a deep concern for justice and mercy. Abraham's approach is marked by humility and reverence, as he acknowledges his own unworthiness: "Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord—though I am but dust and ashes" (
Genesis 18:27).
2.
Moses' Plea for Israel: Moses frequently pleaded with God on behalf of the Israelites. In
Exodus 32:11-14, after the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses interceded for them, appealing to God's promises and reputation. His plea was effective, as the Lord relented from the disaster He had threatened. Moses' intercession highlights the power of earnest prayer and the importance of appealing to God's character and covenant.
3.
Hannah's Prayer for a Child: In
1 Samuel 1:9-20, Hannah pleads with God for a son, pouring out her soul in deep anguish. Her fervent prayer is a model of faith and persistence, and God answers her plea by granting her a son, Samuel. Hannah's account illustrates the personal nature of pleading with God and His responsiveness to heartfelt petitions.
New Testament Instances1.
The Canaanite Woman's Faith: In
Matthew 15:21-28, a Canaanite woman pleads with Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Despite initial resistance, her persistent faith and humility lead to her request being granted. Jesus commends her great faith, saying, "O woman, your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire" (
Matthew 15:28). This account underscores the importance of faith and perseverance in pleading with God.
2.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow: Jesus teaches about the necessity of persistent prayer through the parable of the persistent widow in
Luke 18:1-8. The widow's relentless pleading with an unjust judge eventually leads to her receiving justice. Jesus uses this parable to encourage His followers to always pray and not lose heart, emphasizing that God, who is just, will respond to His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night.
3.
Paul's Plea for the Thorn in the Flesh: In
2 Corinthians 12:7-10, the Apostle Paul describes how he pleaded with the Lord three times to remove a "thorn in the flesh." God's response, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness" (
2 Corinthians 12:9), teaches that sometimes God's answer to our pleas is not the removal of the difficulty but the provision of His grace to endure it.
Theological SignificancePleading in the Bible is often associated with intercession, repentance, and supplication. It reflects a deep reliance on God's mercy and power, acknowledging human limitations and the need for divine intervention. The act of pleading is not merely about presenting requests but involves a relational aspect, where the petitioner seeks to align with God's will and purposes. Through pleading, believers express their trust in God's character and His ability to act on their behalf.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Plead.
Greek
3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage... 2), exhorting (3), exhorts (1), given (1), implore (4), implored (9), imploring
(5), invited (2), making an appeal (1), plead (1),
pleaded (1), pleading (1
...Strong's Hebrew
2603a. chanan -- to show favor, be gracious... favor (1), implore the compassion (1), implore the mercy (1), implored (1), made
(1), made supplication (2), make supplication (5), pity (2),
pleaded (2), show
...6293. paga -- to meet, encounter, reach
... entreat (2), fall (7), fell (4), happen (1), intercede (2), interceded (1), kill
(1), make supplication (1), meet (3), meets (3), met (2),pleaded (1), reached...
7378. rib -- to strive, contend
... dispute (1), ever strive (1), filed (1), find fault (1), have a quarrel (1), judge
(1), plead (9), plead my case (1), plead your case (1),pleaded (2), pleads...
Library
Heavenly Contemplation Exemplified, and the Whole Work Concluded.
... heavenly rest; 2. its nearness; 3. dreadful to sinners; 4. and joyful to saints;
5. its dear purchase; 6. its difference from earth.7. The heartpleaded with; 8...
How Long?
... Tears filled those hard eyes and rolled down her cheeks as wepleaded with her,
in the name of all that was motherly, not to doom her little innocent girl, not...
The Sinner Stripped of his Vain Pleas.
... To havepleaded an unavoidable ignorance would have been their happiest plea that
could have remained for you; nay, an actual, though faulty ignorance, would...
The Ministry.
... up to heaven, the best of books in its hand, the law of truth was written upon its
lips, the world was behind its back; it stood as if itpleaded with men, and...
Fall of the Western Empire (Ad 451-476)
... Hepleaded with Genseric as he had beforepleaded with Attila, and he brought him
to promise that the city should not be burnt, and that the lives of the...
The Call of Isaiah
... as priests, the king entered the sanctuary "to burn incense upon the altar." Azariah
the high priest and his associates remonstrated, andpleaded with him to...
Acts xiii. 42
... the more extended the preaching, and (how the Apostles here) gave themselves the
more to the Gentiles, having (by this very thing)pleaded their justification...
The Arrows of Conviction.
... I had been preaching there several weeks, and the night was my last one,
and Ipleaded with them as I had neverpleaded there before....
Divided we Fall.
... She said her son was a good enough boy, and he didn't need to be converted. I
pleaded with that mother, but all my pleading was of no account....
Why this Work was Published, and Again of Tertullian and Cyprian.
... And since I was not able to reply to these separately, I thought that this cause
was to be sopleaded by me that I might overthrow former writers, together...
Thesaurus
Pleaded (21 Occurrences)...Pleaded (21 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). Luke 13:8 "But the gardener
pleaded, "'Leave
it, Sir, this year also, till I have dug round it and manured it. (WEY).
...Plead (64 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vindication; to offer in excuse;
as, the law of nations may bepleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors....
Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... And when Paul hadpleaded in his own defense before King Herod Agrippa and the Roman
governor Festus, these two judges were agreed in the opinion, "This man...
Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)
... His daughters came to Moses and Eleazar and successfullypleaded for a possession
for themselves (Numbers 27:1). This became the occasion for a law providing...
Upheld (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 25:39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed is Yahweh,
who haspleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept...
Officer (70 Occurrences)
... son was ill at Capernaum. (WEY). John 4:49 "Sir,"pleaded the officer,
"come down before my child dies." (WEY). John 18:12 So the...
Gardener (4 Occurrences)
... WEY BBE). Luke 13:8 "But the gardenerpleaded, "'Leave it, Sir, this year
also, till I have dug round it and manured it. (WEY). John...
Wooed (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 25:39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed is Yahweh,
who haspleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept...
Insult (25 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 25:39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed is Yahweh,
who haspleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept...
Ignorant (32 Occurrences)
... beforehand. Or are you ignorant of what Scripture says in speaking of
Elijah--how hepleaded with God against Israel, saying, (WEY)....
Resources
What should I do when God says no? | GotQuestions.orgHow many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAre apparitions of Mary, such as Lady Fatima, true messages from God? | GotQuestions.orgPleaded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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