Original Word: עָתַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `athar
Pronunciation: ah-thar
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-thar')
KJV: intreat, (make) pray(-er)
NASB: make supplication, entreat, entreated, made supplication, moved by prayer, pray, answered
Word Origin: [a primitive root (rather denominative from H6281 (עֶתֶר - Ether))]

1. to burn incense in worship, i.e. intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer)

entreat, make prayer

A primitive root (rather denominative from Ether); to burn incense in worship, i.e. Intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer) -- intreat, (make) pray(-er).

see HEBREW Ether

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to pray, supplicate
NASB Translation
answered (1), answered their prayers (1), entreat (2), entreated (2), listened to our entreaty (1), made supplication (2), make supplication (4), moved by his entreaty (1), moved by prayer (2), pray (2), prayed (1), respond (1).

I. [עָתַר] verb pray, supplicafe (always to God) (compare Arabic slaughter for sacrifice De^{Gn (4) 381} We^{Skizzen iii. 115, 166; Heid. (2). 118, 142}; RS^{Sem i. 210 f.; 2nd ed.; 227 f.}); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine singular ׳וַיֶעְתַּר לי Genesis 25:21, ׳אֶליֿ Exodus 8:26; Exodus 10:18; Judges 13:8; יֶעְתַּד אֶלאֱֿלוֺהַּ Job 33:26.

Niph`al be supplicated, entreated (and grant entreaty; always of God), usually with ל of worshipper (see ל

5d): Perfect3masculine singular consecutive וְנֶעְתַּר לָהֶם Isaiah 19:22; Imperfect3masculine singular וַיֵּעָ֫תֶר לוֺ Genesis 25:21; 2Chronicles 33:13, וַיֵּעָתֵר לָנוּ Ezra 8:23; with לָאָרֶץ for the land 2 Samuel 21:14; 2 Samuel 24:25; Infinitive absolute לָהֶם וְנַעְתּוֺר 1 Chronicles 5:20; construct (as substantive) הֵעָתֶרלֿוֺ2Chronicles 33:19.

Hiph`il =

Qal, make supplication, with אֶל, לְ: Perfect ׳וְהַעְתַּרְתִּ֫י אֶליֿ Exodus 8:25; Imperfect2masculine singular תַּעְתִּיר אֵלָיו Job 22:27; Imperative masculine plural ׳הַעְתִּירוּ אֶליֿ Exodus 8:4; Exodus 9:28, ׳לי Exodus 10:17; also with ל person in behalf of whom, Imperfect1singular אַעְתִּיר לְךָ Exodus 8:5, so Imperative חַעְתִּירוּ, with בַּעֲדִי Exodus 8:24.

Overview

The verb עָתַר occurs twenty times in the Old Testament and consistently links fervent petition with a decisive divine response. Whether voiced by patriarchs, prophets, judges, kings, priests, or common people, the word portrays prayer that gains an audience with God and elicits a tangible act of mercy, judgment, healing, or deliverance. Each context therefore reinforces the biblical conviction that the Lord is both willing and able to be “moved by entreaty” (2 Samuel 21:14).

Occurrences and Thematic Clusters

1. Patriarchal hope: Genesis 25:21
2. National deliverance in Egypt: Exodus 8:8–10:18 (eight uses)
3. Family crisis and leadership transition: Judges 13:8
4. Royal intercessions ending covenant judgment: 2 Samuel 21:14; 2 Samuel 24:25
5. Wartime dependence: 1 Chronicles 5:20
6. Repentance of a prodigal king: 2 Chronicles 33:13, 19
7. Post-exilic journey mercies: Ezra 8:23
8. Wisdom reflections on personal renewal: Job 22:27; Job 33:26
9. Prophetic promise for the nations: Isaiah 19:22

Grouped this way, עָתַר traces a line from personal need (infertility, sickness, guilt) to corporate crises (plagues, war, exile) and finally to global restoration.

Genesis: The Birth of Nations Begins with Prayer

Genesis 25:21 introduces the word with Isaac’s plea for barren Rebekah. “The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived”. Seed, covenant, and promise advance only after earnest intercession. The narrative establishes a pattern: divine plan often waits for human prayer that aligns with God’s revealed purpose.

Exodus: Confrontation and Deliverance

Eight occurrences cluster in the plague narratives (Exodus 8–10). Pharaoh repeatedly begs Moses to “pray to the LORD” to remove frogs, flies, hail, or locusts (8:8, 8:28, 9:28, 10:17). Moses obliges (8:9, 8:29–30, 10:18), and each time the Lord answers. The episodes highlight:
• Intercessory representation—Moses stands between God and Egypt.
• Conditional mercy—relief arrives, yet Pharaoh’s hardened heart invites further judgment.
• Missional purpose—signs intend that “you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God” (8:10).

עָתַר therefore underlines the redemptive rhythm of judgment tempered by prayer-provoked mercy.

Judges: Guidance for a Household and a Nation

When Manoah seeks further instruction about Samson’s future, he “prayed to the LORD” (Judges 13:8). Before deliverance begins, parents petition; God responds by sending the Angel again. Even in a spiritually fractured era, heaven remains open to humble entreaty.

Monarchy: Royal Intercession and National Healing

2 Samuel 21:14 and 24:25 bookend David’s later reign. Burial of the Gibeonites’ victims and sacrificial worship on Araunah’s threshing floor lead to the words: “After that God was moved by prayer for the land” and “the plague on Israel was halted.” Kingship without prayer leads to judgment; kingship combined with sacrificial intercession secures restoration.

Tribal Warfare: Prayer in the Heat of Battle

During a clash with Hagrite raiders, the eastern tribes “cried out to Him … and He answered their prayers” (1 Chronicles 5:20). Victory is explicitly tied to dependence on God rather than martial prowess—the same principle that governs Exodus deliverances.

Repentance of Manasseh: Grace Greater Than Sin

The most notorious king of Judah “prayed to Him, and the LORD was moved by his entreaty” (2 Chronicles 33:13). Verse 19 records that both the prayer and God’s response were preserved in official annals. The episode proclaims that no depth of apostasy places a person beyond the reach of עָתַר-shaped repentance.

Post-Exilic Security: The Journey to Jerusalem

Facing the dangers of the long trek from Babylon, Ezra recounts: “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request” (Ezra 8:23). Prayer precedes safe passage and manifests corporate faith in God’s covenant faithfulness.

Wisdom Literature: Personal Renewal

Job 22:27 envisions future favor: “You will pray to Him, and He will hear you.” Job 33:26 advances the thought: “He will pray to God and find favor; he will see God’s face with a shout of joy.” These verses apply the wider narrative of entreaty to individual restoration, foreshadowing New Testament assurance of access through Christ.

Prophetic Vision: Egypt’s Healing

Isaiah 19:22 merges judgment and mercy: “They will turn to the LORD, and He will hear their prayers and heal them.” The same land once plagued in Exodus is promised future healing, demonstrating that divine responsiveness to prayer extends beyond Israel to the nations.

Theological Trajectory

1. Divine sovereignty invites prayer rather than negates it; God ordains both ends and means.
2. Genuine entreaty assumes covenant promises (Genesis 25), recognizes sin (2 Samuel 24), seeks God’s glory over convenience (Exodus 8–10), and perseveres until mercy is obtained.
3. Historical episodes anticipate the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, whose mediatorial work guarantees the Father’s favorable response to those who pray in His name (John 14:13–14).

Ministry Applications

• Encourage believers that persevering, specific petition can change national crises, family barrenness, and personal bondage.
• Model intercessory leadership—pastors and elders should stand before God on behalf of people as Moses did for Pharaoh or David for Israel.
• Incorporate fasting with prayer when facing communal challenges, following Ezra’s pattern.
• Teach repentance-saturated prayer, assuring even the worst sinner that God “is moved by entreaty” when the heart turns back.
• Nurture missionary vision: Isaiah 19 urges prayer for gospel advance among former enemies, confident of the Lord’s healing response.

עָתַר thus challenges every generation to pray earnestly, expect God to act, and record His answers for the next generation’s faith.

אַעְתִּ֣יר אעתיר הַעְתִּ֖ירוּ הַעְתִּ֙ירוּ֙ הַעְתִּ֣ירוּ העתירו וְהֵֽעָתֶר־ וְהַעְתִּ֖ירוּ וְהַעְתַּרְתִּ֣י וְנֶעְתַּ֥ר וְנַעְתּ֥וֹר וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר וַיֵּעָתֵ֖ר וַיֵּעָתֵ֤ר וַיֵּעָתֵ֧ר וַיֶּעְתַּ֖ר וַיֶּעְתַּ֥ר וַיֶּעְתַּ֨ר והעתירו והעתר־ והעתרתי ויעתר ונעתור ונעתר יֶעְתַּ֤ר יעתר תַּעְתִּ֣יר תעתיר ’a‘·tîr ’a‘tîr aTir ha‘·tî·rū ha‘tîrū haTiru ta‘·tîr ta‘tîr taTir vaiyeAter vaiyeTar vehatarTi vehaTiru veheater venaTor veneTar way·ye‘·tar way·yê·‘ā·ṯer way·yê·‘ā·ṯêr wayyê‘āṯer wayyê‘āṯêr wayye‘tar wə·ha‘·tar·tî wə·ha‘·tî·rū wə·hê·‘ā·ṯer- wə·na‘·tō·wr wə·ne‘·tar wəha‘tartî wəha‘tîrū wəhê‘āṯer- wəna‘tōwr wəne‘tar ye‘·tar ye‘tar yeTarInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts