Intreat; Intreaty; (Entreat)
The Meaning of Intreat and Entreat
In older English translations of the Bible, the words "intreat" and "entreat" were used interchangeably, both deriving from the same verb. Over time, a distinction emerged: "intreat" came to mean "to beg or plead," while "entreat" was used in the sense of "to deal with" or "to treat." Modern translations generally use "entreat" or replace both with clearer terms like "plead," "beg," or "urge."
Entreating God in the Old Testament
The concept of entreating God runs throughout the Old Testament. When the plagues struck Egypt, Pharaoh repeatedly asked Moses to "intreat the LORD" to remove the devastating judgments (Exodus 8:8-9). This pattern reveals that even a pagan ruler recognized the power of petitioning Israel's God.
One of the most memorable uses appears in Ruth 1:16, where Ruth pleads with Naomi: "Entreat me not to leave thee." Here the word carries the weight of deep personal devotion and covenant loyalty. In Genesis 25:21, Isaac "entreated the LORD" on behalf of his barren wife Rebekah, and God answered his prayer, illustrating that persistent supplication moves the heart of God.
Entreating in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the concept continues with Greek words like "paraklesis" (earnest appeal) and "philanthropos" (humane treatment). Paul describes the Macedonian believers "praying us with much entreaty" to participate in giving (2 Corinthians 8:4). James 3:17 describes heavenly wisdom as "easy to be entreated," meaning it is approachable and willing to listen.
Jesus himself modeled both sides of entreaty. He entreated his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), and he responded to entreaties from those who sought healing and deliverance throughout his ministry.
The Heart Posture Behind Entreaty
Biblical entreaty is never casual. It reflects humility, urgency, and dependence on a power greater than oneself. Whether a patriarch interceding for his family, a prophet pleading with God for a nation, or a believer asking for grace, the act of entreaty recognizes human limitation and divine sufficiency.
Paul exhorts Timothy not merely to rebuke an older man but to "entreat him as a father" (1 Timothy 5:1), showing that entreaty also involves relational respect and gentleness. In Philippians 4:3, Paul beseeches his fellow workers to help resolve conflict, using the language of earnest appeal.
Biblical Context
The concept of entreaty appears across the Pentateuch (Exodus 8:8; Genesis 25:21), the historical books (Ruth 1:16), wisdom literature (Job 19:17), the prophets (Jeremiah 15:11), and the New Testament epistles (2 Corinthians 8:4; 1 Timothy 5:1; Philippians 4:3; James 3:17). It functions as a key expression of prayer, petition, and interpersonal appeal throughout Scripture.
Theological Significance
Entreaty teaches that God is approachable and responsive to earnest prayer. It demonstrates the biblical principle that human petition can influence divine action, as seen in Isaac's prayer for Rebekah and Moses' intercession before Pharaoh. The concept also underscores the relational nature of faith, where believers are called to approach both God and others with humility and sincerity.
Historical Background
In the ancient Near East, formal petitioning of kings and deities was a well-established practice. Mesopotamian and Egyptian texts record elaborate entreaties to gods for favor, healing, and protection. The biblical concept of entreaty shares this cultural backdrop but is distinctive in portraying a personal God who genuinely listens and responds to human supplication.