Bible Lexicons

Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old TestamentGirdlestone's OT Synonyms

Prayer

Twelve Hebrew words have been rendered by the English word 'pray' in the O.T. Two are interjections, namely, ana (אנא ) and na (נא ), the former of which is found in Genesis 50:17, and the latter in Genesis 12:13; Genesis 18:4, and Judges 9:38. Chanan (חנן ), to be gracious, when used in the reflexive or causative sense, signifies to seek the favour of another; see, for example, 2 Chronicles 6:37.

Palal (פלל ), in the reflexive, 'to cause another to intervene or arbitrate in one's case,' is found very frequently, and is generally represented by the Greek προσεύχομαι. this word conveys a very objective idea about prayer. It shows that men were not in the habit of praying merely as a relief to their feelings, but in order to ask another Being, wiser and mightier than they, to take up their cause.

In Job 22:27; Job 33:26, the word atar (עתר ), to entreat, is used in Job 21:15 a different word is used, namely, paga (פגע ), which signifies to meet, 'What profit shall we have if we meet [This word is used in Isaiah 47:3, 'I will not meet (thee as) a man ;' Isaiah 64:5, 'Thou meetest him that rejoiceth.' Also in Isaiah 53:6 (Hiphil),'The Lord hath laid (margin, 'made to meet') on him the iniquity of us all;' and in verse 12, 'He made intercession for the transgressors;' He was as it were a common meeting-ground between God and the sinner.] him' (to supplicate his mercy)? in Isaiah 26:16 we read, 'Lord, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was up on them.' Here lachash (לחשׁ ), to whisper, is used, in order to convey the idea of the secret and sorrowful sighing of the oppressed. this word is usually rendered enchantment.

Shaal (שׁאל , Ass. sâlu), to ask, whether in the sense of inquiry or petition, whence the name of Saul is derived, occurs in Psalms 122:6, where it is adopted for the sake of alliteration, 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;' Sichah (שׂיחה ), meditation or complaint, is used in Job 15:4; Psalms 55:17; Psalms 64:1.

In Ezra 6:10 we find Tsala (צלא ), to request; in Daniel 6:11, Veah (בעה ) to seek; and in Daniel 9:13 a composite phrase is adopted, which probably means to conciliate the face of a person, and hence to pray with some prospect of success.

With regard to the act of prayer as represented by the word προσεύχομαι in the N.T., it may be noticed in passing that it is never mentioned in St. John's Gospel or Epistles. Prayer was to be offered ' in spirit' (Ephesians 6:18). [A.V. ' in the Spirit.' There is an article in the Greek; the words therefore seem an exact parallel to our Lord's description of worship, that it is to be ' in spirit and in truth.' But see Judges 1:20.] It appears to have been generally directed to God the Father. The on]y exception is Acts 1:24, where the disciples are apparently described as praying to their Ascended Master. Compare Acts 7:59, where Stephen appealed to the Lord Jesus.