Definition Of Supplication In Prayer
The Hebrew term תַּחֲנוּן (tachanun) and the Greek word δέησις (deēsis) are key terms in understanding the concept of supplication in prayer. The Hebrew term appears in various forms 19 times in the Hebrew Bible, often in the context of making a humble request to God or man [2].
Lexical Range and Distribution
The Hebrew תַּחֲנוּן is defined as "supplication for favour" and can be directed towards both humans and God. In the context of prayer, it signifies a humble and earnest request. Brown-Driver-Briggs notes that it is often used in parallel with תְּפִלָּה (tephillah), meaning "prayer" [2]. The Greek δέησις, similarly, is used in the New Testament to denote "supplication" or "request," often with a sense of urgency or earnestness [4].
Biblical Usage
In the Hebrew Bible, תַּחֲנוּן is used in various contexts, including Psalms, where it is associated with the act of praying to God. For example, in Psalms 119:170, the psalmist says, "Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word" [5]. The Greek δέησις appears in the New Testament in passages like Ephesians 6:18, where believers are exhorted to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" [4].
Comparative Usage and Semantic Shifts
The Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, often translates תַּחֲנוּן and related terms into Greek as δέησις or other related words, showing a semantic equivalence between the Hebrew and Greek terms in the context of prayer. The New Testament usage of δέησις continues this tradition, emphasizing the importance of supplication in Christian prayer life [3].
Interpretation Across Traditions
Various Christian traditions have interpreted the concept of supplication in prayer. The Puritan tradition, represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the fervency and humility of supplication, viewing it as a crucial aspect of prayer that acknowledges one's dependence on God [8]. The Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, distinguishes between different terms for prayer, including supplication, highlighting its role in averting evils and seeking God's mercy [6, 9]. The Scholastic tradition, represented by Thomas Aquinas, categorizes supplication as one of the parts of prayer, alongside prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings, underscoring its significance in the structure of prayer [7].
Conclusion
Supplication in prayer, as understood through the Hebrew תַּחֲנוּן and the Greek δέησις, is a fundamental aspect of biblical prayer, characterized by humility, earnestness, and a deep sense of dependence on God. Across various Christian traditions, supplication is recognized as a vital component of a rich and effective prayer life, emphasizing the believer's need to approach God with reverence and trust [1, 2, 4].
Sources
- STEPBible TBESG “[H8469] H8469 = (H8469) — 1) supplication, supplication for favour<br>1a) to man<br>1b) to God”
- Brown-Driver-Briggs “[BDB H8469] tachanun — H8469. tachanun תַּחֲנוּן noun [maculine] only plural abstract supplication for favour; — absolute תַּחֲנוּנִים Prov 18:23 4t.; construct תַּחֲנוּנֵי Jer 3:21; 2Chr 6:21; suffix 1 singular תַּחֲנוּנַי Psa 28:2 etc., + 9 t. suffix; also תַּחֲנוּנוֺתָ֑י 86:6; — 1 made to men: ת ׳דִּבֶּר (a poor man to the rich) Prov 18:23; ׳ת אֵל supplication unto (crocodile to man) Job 40:27; elsewhere 2 to God: || תפלה Psa 143:1; Dan 9:3, 17; ׳ת התפלל אשׁר2Chr 6:21 (= תחנה 1Kin 8:30); ת ׳קוֺל voice of supplication Psa 28:2; 28:6; 31:23; 86:6; 130:2; 140:7, also 116:2 (for קוֺלִי is old ca”
- TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G5218] ὑπακοή — obedience: <b> ὑπᾰκοή</b>, ἡ, <br /> (ὑπακούω) <b>obedience,</b> [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title="NT.Rom.5.19, “PMasp.” 159.24 (6th c.AD)">NT+6th c.AD+</a>]; <b>answer to prayer,</b> [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" LXX.2Ki.22.36. ">LXX</a>]”
- MACULA Greek “Ephesians 6:18 — Greek linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: διὰ πάσης προσευχῆς καὶ δεήσεως προσευχόμενοι ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ἐν Πνεύματι καὶ εἰς αὐτὸ ἀγρυπνοῦντες ἐν πάσῃ προσκαρτερήσει καὶ δεήσει περὶ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων Word-by-word: διὰ = "through" [1223] PREP; πάσης = "all" [3956] A-GSF; προσευχῆς = "prayer" [4335] N-GSF; καὶ = "and" [2532] CONJ; δεήσεως = "supplication" [1162] N-GSF; προσευχόμενοι = "praying" [4336] V-PNP-NPM; ἐν = "in" [1722] PREP; παντὶ = "every" [3956] A-DSM; καιρῷ = "season" [2540] N-DSM; ἐν = "in" [1722] PREP; Πνεύματι = "[the] Spirit" [4151] N-DSN; καὶ = "and" [2532] CONJ; ”
- Psalms “Psalms 119:170 (NASB) — Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing - Μηδεν μεριμνατε· Be not anxiously solicitous; do not give place to carking care, let what will occur; for anxiety cannot chance the state or condition of any thing from bad to good, but will infallibly injure your own souls. By prayer and supplication - God alone can help you; he is disposed to do it, but you must ask by prayer and supplication; without this he has not promised to help you. By prayer - solemn application to God from a sense of want. Supplication - continuance in earnest prayer. With thanksgiving, for innumerable favors a”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Prayer, Art. 17: Article: Whether the parts of prayer are fittingly described as supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings? I answer that, Three conditions are requisite for prayer. First, that the person who prays should approach God Whom he prays: this is signified in the word "prayer," because prayer is "the raising up of one's mind to God." The second is that there should be a petition, and this is signified in the word "intercession." In this case sometimes one asks for something definite, and ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:169: Here we have, I. A general petition for audience repeated: Let my cry come near before thee; and again, Let my supplication come before thee. He calls his prayer his cry, which denotes the fervency and vehemence of it, and his supplication, which denotes the humility of it. We must come to God as beggars come to our doors for an alms. He is concerned that his prayer might come before God, might come near before him, that is, that he might have grace and strength by faith and fervency to lift up his prayers, that no guilt might interpose to shut out his prayers ”
- 1 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Timothy 2:1: I exhort - that, first of all - Prayer for the pardon of sin, and for obtaining necessary supplies of grace, and continual protection from God, with gratitude and thanksgiving for mercies already received, are duties which our sinful and dependent state renders absolutely necessary; and which should be chief in our view, and first of all performed. It is difficult to know the precise difference between the four words used here by the apostle. They are sometimes distinguished thus: - Supplications - Δεησεις· Prayers for averting evils of every kind. Prayers - Προσ”