from a derivative of the base of ἱκανός (through the idea of approaching for a favor); intreaty:--supplication.
Transliteration:hiketēría
Pronunciation:hik-et-ay-ree'-ah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ἱκετηρία (hiketēría, `{{G2428}}`) denotes a "supplication" or "intreaty." Its etymological root traces back to a derivative of the base of ἱκανός (hikanos, `{{G2425}}`), which means "sufficient" or "adequate." However, the connection is not one of sufficiency itself, but rather the *idea of approaching for a favor*. This implies a posture of humility and dependence on the part of the one making the request, acknowledging their own insufficiency and appealing to the capability or sufficiency of another to grant the desired favor. Thus, ἱκετηρία encapsulates an earnest, often urgent, and humble appeal, made with a sense of need and reliance upon the one addressed. It conveys a deeper intensity than a mere request, suggesting a fervent plea.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ἱκετηρία (hiketēría, `{{G2428}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, but its singular occurrence is profoundly significant, describing the very prayers of Jesus Christ:
* **Hebrews 5:7:** "Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and **supplications** with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear," [[Hebrews 5:7]]
This verse provides a vivid and poignant description of Christ's Gethsemane agony (cf. [[Matthew 26:36-46]], [[Mark 14:32-42]], [[Luke 22:39-46]]). Here, ἱκετηρία is paired with "prayers" (προσευχὰς, proseuchas, `{{G4335}}`), emphasizing the earnestness of His appeal. The accompanying descriptors – "with strong crying and tears" (μετὰ κραυγῆς ἰσχυρᾶς καὶ δακρύων) – intensify the meaning of "supplication," revealing it as a desperate, anguished plea born out of immense suffering and profound dependence.
The object of this supplication is "him that was able to save him from death." This is not to be understood as Jesus praying to avoid the cross, but rather praying for strength to endure it, for deliverance *through* death to resurrection, or for salvation *from the power* of death. The clause "and having been heard for his godly fear" (καὶ εἰσακουσθεὶς ἀπὸ τῆς εὐλαβείας) confirms the efficacy of His supplication. Jesus' "godly fear" (εὐλάβεια, eulabeia, `{{G2124}}`) signifies His reverence, submission, and piety towards God, which made His prayer acceptable and effective. This single occurrence thus paints a powerful picture of the Son of God, in His humanity, engaging in the most intense form of humble, earnest appeal to His Father.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept conveyed by ἱκετηρία (hiketēría, `{{G2428}}`) is often found in close association with other terms related to prayer and petition in the New Testament:
* **προσευχὴ (proseuchē, `{{G4335}}`):** General term for prayer, often directed towards God. In [[Hebrews 5:7]], it is paired with ἱκετηρία, suggesting that supplication is a specific, intense form of prayer.
* **δέησις (deēsis, `{{G1162}}`):** Petition or request, emphasizing the sense of need. Frequently paired with προσευχὴ (e.g., [[Philippians 4:6]], [[Ephesians 6:18]]), highlighting the specific requests within a broader prayer. ἱκετηρία carries a more intense emotional weight than δέησις.
* **ἔντευξις (enteuxis, `{{G1783}}`):** Intercession, an appeal made on behalf of another. While distinct, the act of supplication often involves an element of intercession, especially when made on behalf of a community or for divine intervention in a situation.
* **The concept of humility and dependence:** The very nature of ἱκετηρία implies a recognition of one's own limitations and a humble reliance on a greater power.
* **Earnestness and fervency:** The context of "strong crying and tears" in [[Hebrews 5:7]] underscores the intense and passionate nature of this type of prayer.
### Theological Significance
The solitary use of ἱκετηρία (hiketēría, `{{G2428}}`) in [[Hebrews 5:7]] carries profound theological weight, particularly concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ:
* **Christ's Full Humanity:** This verse powerfully affirms Jesus' true humanity. It reveals Him not as an impassive deity, but as one who fully experienced human weakness, fear, and suffering, to the point of crying out to God with intense emotion. His supplication demonstrates His complete dependence on the Father, even in His divine nature.
* **Model for Believers' Prayer:** If the Son of God, in His perfect obedience, engaged in such fervent and tearful supplication, it provides an unparalleled model for believers. It validates intense, earnest, and even desperate prayer, assuring us that God hears and responds to such heartfelt pleas, especially in times of profound distress. It teaches that true prayer is not always calm and composed, but can be an agonizing outpouring of the soul.
* **God's Responsiveness to Righteousness:** The statement that Jesus "was heard for his godly fear" underscores God's attentiveness and responsiveness to reverent, submissive, and righteous supplication. It assures us that prayer offered in alignment with God's will and with a heart of reverence is effective.
* **Christ's High Priestly Qualification:** The author of Hebrews introduces Christ's supplication as part of His qualification to be a merciful and faithful High Priest. Having Himself experienced the depths of human suffering and having offered such earnest pleas, Jesus is uniquely able to sympathize with our weaknesses and intercede effectively for us (cf. [[Hebrews 4:15-16]]). His ἱκετηρία makes Him a compassionate and understanding advocate for humanity before God.
### Summary
The Greek word ἱκετηρία (hiketēría, `{{G2428}}`) signifies an earnest, humble, and often anguished "supplication" or "intreaty," characterized by a posture of dependence on a higher power for a favor. Its singular, yet profoundly significant, occurrence in [[Hebrews 5:7]] describes the fervent prayers of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, particularly His Gethsemane agony. Accompanied by "strong crying and tears," Christ's ἱκετηρία exemplifies the deepest form of human appeal to God, demonstrating His full humanity and perfect dependence on the Father. The theological implications are immense: it affirms Christ's shared human experience, provides a powerful model for believers' prayer, highlights God's responsiveness to reverent supplication, and underscores Jesus' unique qualification as our sympathetic High Priest. ἱκετηρία thus encapsulates a vital aspect of intimate, dependent communion with the divine.
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