עָתַר
𐤏𐤕𐤓
ʻâthar
H6279 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To plead earnestly, make a supplication, entreat fervently, or be moved by entreaty. The verb can refer either to the act of making an intense plea or prayer, or to the response of being moved or favorably disposed by such a plea, often in the context of seeking divine favor, intervention, or mercy. In some contexts, it can convey the notion of a response to persistent prayer, emphasizing an intensification of request or a reversal of prior (divine) refusal.
Semantic Range
to plead earnestly, to entreat, to intercede, to make persistent prayer or supplication, to be moved by prayer or entreaty, to grant a request after persistent pleading, to respond favorably to supplication
Root / Etymology
Root is עתר (ʻ-t-r), which has basic associations with abundance or something excessive. The verb עָתַר (ʻâthar) seems to derive from this sense of piling up or density (cf. agricultural terminology). Over time, it developed the meaning of 'to plead earnestly' or 'entreat with intensity,' possibly drawing on the imagery of heaping up pleas or requests. The suggested derivation from the noun עֶתֶר ('pitchfork' or 'rake') is debated, but both share a sense of 'gathering' or 'piling up.' The connection to 'incense' is later and not primary to biblical usage; to burn incense is not the principal meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Hebrew, עָתַר is most commonly used in contexts involving fervent prayer or supplication, especially during times of trouble or crisis, and describes either the act of persistent entreaty (by individuals or groups) or the response ('being moved to entreaty,' often of YHWH responding to prayer). The verb occurs with both Israelite and non-Israelite subjects (Gen 25:21, the entreaty of Isaac; Gen 20:17, Abraham's intercession for Abimelech). The nuance can shift from active prayer (human subject) to receptive action (divine subject: 'YHWH was moved by...'). Later biblical tradition sometimes glossed the term with 'prayer' in a formal or liturgical sense, but the core biblical usage retains a personal, passionate tone. The association of the root with 'abundant' or 'piled up' imagery contrasts with other Hebrew roots for 'prayer,' such as פלל (to mediate/judge/intercede) or חנן (to be gracious, to show favor). English translations often flatten the range, rendering עָתַר simply as 'pray' or 'be entreated,' but they can obscure the sense of intensity and persistence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (rather denominative from עֶתֶר); to burn incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer); intreat, (make) pray(-er).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עתר (ʿ-ṭ-r) — to heap up, to pile up, to be abundant
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6280 | עָתַר | and you granted entreaty |
| H6281 | עֶתֶר | and Ether |
| H6282 | עָתָר | my dense masses |
Word Forms
11 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6279-04 |
וַ/יֵּעָ֤תֶר | vayeater | HC/VNw3ms |
and God was entreated | and he was moved by entreaty | 5 |
H6279-05 |
וַ/יֶּעְתַּ֨ר | vayeetar | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he pleaded | and he earnestly pleaded | 4 |
H6279-02 |
הַעְתִּ֣ירוּ | haetiru | HVhv2mp |
Plead | heap up pleas | 3 |
H6279-01 |
אַעְתִּ֣יר | aetir | HVhi1cs |
shall I plead | I will cause to entreat | 1 |
H6279-11 |
יֶעְתַּ֤ר | yeetar | HVqi3ms |
he will pray | he will plead earnestly | 1 |
H6279-08 |
וְ/הֵֽעָתֶר | veheater | HC/VNc |
and how he was entreated | to be entreated | 1 |
H6279-10 |
וְ/נֶעְתַּ֥ר | veneetar | HC/VNq3ms |
and-he-will-be-entreated | and he was prevailed upon | 1 |
H6279-09 |
וְ/נַעְתּ֥וֹר | venaetor | HC/VNa |
and He was entreated | and being fervently entreated | 1 |
H6279-07 |
וְ/הַעְתִּ֖ירוּ | vehaetiru | HC/Vhv2mp |
and entreat | and heap up pleas | 1 |
H6279-03 |
תַּעְתִּ֣יר | taetir | HVhi2ms |
you will make your prayer | you will earnestly entreat | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6279-05 |
Genesis 25:21 | וַ/יֶּעְתַּ֨ר | vayeetar | HC/Vqw3ms |
prayed | and he earnestly pleaded |
H6279-04 |
Genesis 25:21 | וַ/יֵּעָ֤תֶר | vayeater | HC/VNw3ms |
granted | and he was moved by entreaty |
H6279-02 |
Exodus 8:4 | הַעְתִּ֣ירוּ | haetiru | HVhv2mp |
Plead | heap up pleas |
H6279-01 |
Exodus 8:5 | אַעְתִּ֣יר | aetir | HVhi1cs |
shall I plead | I will cause to entreat |
H6279-02 |
Exodus 8:24 | הַעְתִּ֖ירוּ | haetiru | HVhv2mp |
Plead | heap up pleas |
H6279-06 |
Exodus 8:25 | וְ/הַעְתַּרְתִּ֣י | vehaetareti | HC/Vhq1cs |
and I will plead | and I responded to entreaty |
H6279-05 |
Exodus 8:26 | וַ/יֶּעְתַּ֖ר | vayeetar | HC/Vqw3ms |
and pleaded | and he earnestly pleaded |
H6279-02 |
Exodus 9:28 | הַעְתִּ֨ירוּ֙ | haetiru | HVhv2mp |
Plead | heap up pleas |
H6279-07 |
Exodus 10:17 | וְ/הַעְתִּ֖ירוּ | vehaetiru | HC/Vhv2mp |
and entreat | and heap up pleas |
H6279-05 |
Exodus 10:18 | וַ/יֶּעְתַּ֖ר | vayeetar | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he pleaded | and he earnestly pleaded |