Original Word: אֲרֶשֶׁת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: aresheth
Pronunciation: ah-reh'-sheth
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-eh'-sheth)
KJV: request
NASB: request
Word Origin: [from H781 (אָרַשׂ - engaged) (in the sense of desiring to possess)]

1. a longing for

request

From 'aras (in the sense of desiring to possess); a longing for -- request.

see HEBREW 'aras

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a desire, request
NASB Translation
request (1).

אֲרֶ֫שֶׁת noun feminine desire, request (Assyrian êrištu Dl^l.c.) only construct שְׂפָתָיו ׳א Psalm 21:3 ("" תַּאֲוַת לִבּוֺ) request granted by ׳י.

אֹרֹת see אוֺרָה.

Terminology and Scope

אֲרֶשֶׁת occurs once in the Hebrew canon and carries the sense of an earnest petition or heartfelt request presented to God. The word appears in the context of royal prayer, emphasizing both the king’s dependence upon the LORD and the divine willingness to bestow favor when petitioned in faith.

Canonical Setting

Psalm 21 is a song of thanksgiving following military victory, traditionally attributed to David. The psalm rejoices that God has answered the king’s prayers: “You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips” (Psalm 21:2). Here אֲרֶשֶׁת forms the climax of the opening praise, linking the inner longing of the heart with verbal supplication.

Literary and Theological Themes

1. Union of Heart and Mouth: The parallelism of “heart’s desire” and “request of his lips” illustrates that true prayer integrates inner motive and outward expression.
2. Covenant Assurance: The word appears in a psalm saturated with covenant promises to the Davidic line (Psalm 21:4–7). The king’s petition is granted because it aligns with God’s steadfast love for His anointed.
3. Divine Kingship: By answering the king’s request, the LORD manifests His own kingship. The earthly monarch rules only by divine approval, underscored by the granting of אֲרֶשֶׁת.

Historical Background

Ancient Near Eastern kings commonly offered petitions to their deities for victory and longevity. Psalm 21 echoes this motif yet differs sharply: the Israelite king approaches the covenant LORD, not a capricious pagan god. His request is grounded in prior divine promises rather than in manipulative ritual.

Worship and Prayer

The psalm was likely used liturgically after military success, enabling the congregation to celebrate answered prayer. אֲרֶשֶׁת thus becomes a corporate reminder that petitions voiced in alignment with God’s purposes are heard (compare Psalm 20:4; 37:4).

Messianic and Eschatological Trajectory

Because Psalm 21 is part of the royal/Messianic psalter, the granting of the king’s אֲרֶשֶׁת anticipates the ultimate Son of David. Jesus Christ embodies the perfect petitioner whose prayers are always granted (John 11:42). His petitions—most notably in John 17—secure eternal life for His people, fulfilling the pattern set by David.

Intertextual Echoes

• Proverbs 10:24 contrasts the righteous whose “desire is granted” with the wicked whose fears come upon them, reflecting the same prayerful dynamic.
• In the New Testament, Matthew 7:7–11 and John 14:13–14 extend the principle: God delights to answer requests that align with His will and glorify His name.

Pastoral and Devotional Application

1. Confidence in Prayer: Believers may approach God with boldness, assured that petitions rooted in God’s revealed will will be granted (1 John 5:14–15).
2. Alignment of Desires: The rarity of אֲרֶשֶׁת underscores quality over quantity—God answers the prayer that springs from a heart conformed to His purposes.
3. Thanksgiving after Victory: Psalm 21 models public acknowledgment of answered prayer, encouraging congregations to testify when God grants their requests.

Summary

אֲרֶשֶׁת encapsulates the meeting point of human petition and divine generosity. Its single occurrence anchors a royal psalm of thanksgiving, highlighting the faithfulness of God to grant covenant-aligned requests. From David’s throne to the throne of grace opened by Christ, the term underscores the Bible’s consistent witness: when the heart’s desire is purified by God’s will, the lips may petition with assurance of divine favor.

וַאֲרֶ֥שֶׁת וארשת vaaReshet wa’ărešeṯ wa·’ă·re·šeṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts