בַּקָּשָׁה
a petition
Definition
בַּקָּשָׁה (baqqâshâh) refers to a formal petition or request, typically made by a subordinate to a superior. It denotes a specific, often urgent, appeal for something desired or needed. In the book of Esther, it consistently describes Queen Esther's formal requests to King Ahasuerus (Esther 5:3, 5:6, 5:7, 5:8, 7:2, 7:3). In Ezra 7:6, it describes the king granting Ezra's 'request' for resources to restore the temple, showing it can also apply to a written or official petition.
Biblical Usage
This word appears exclusively in post-exilic biblical literature, specifically in Ezra and Esther. Its usage is highly contextual, always involving a formal appeal from a person of lower status to a person of higher authority, usually a king. All eight occurrences follow this pattern, highlighting the social and political dynamics of making a request in a royal court. For example, Esther repeatedly presents her 'petition' to King Ahasuerus (Esther 5:3, 7:2).
Etymology
Derived from the root verb בָּקַשׁ (bāqash, H1245), meaning 'to seek, inquire, or require.' The noun form בַּקָּשָׁה specifically denotes the thing sought—the request or petition itself. This root conveys active seeking, implying the petitioner is earnestly pursuing a specific outcome from someone who has the power to grant it.
Semantic Range
This word enriches our understanding of prayer and divine-human interaction. While it describes human petitions to a king, it provides a powerful metaphor for believers bringing their requests before God, the ultimate King. The pattern in Esther—where a request is made with wisdom, timing, and respect—models how believers might approach God with their needs. It underscores that God, like a gracious sovereign, hears and responds to the petitions of His people.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, especially in Persian court culture depicted in Esther, a 'baqqâshâh' was a formal, structured appeal. It was not a casual ask but a significant act, often involving protocol, timing, and risk, as seen when Esther approaches the king unsummoned (Esther 4:11). The granting of such a request was a demonstration of the superior's favor and power.
תְּחִנָּה (tĕchinnâh, H8467) — a supplication or plea for favor, often with a stronger connotation of seeking grace or mercy. שָּׁאֵל (sha'ēl, H7592) — a more general term for asking or requesting, not necessarily formal or from a subordinate.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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