Petition
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Petition in the Bible?
In biblical literature, the term 'petition' translates Hebrew and Greek concepts referring to formal requests or appeals addressed to divine or human authorities, reflecting established social and religious protocols of supplication.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing petition as a formalized request clarifies the structural relationship between the supplicant and the authority figure in biblical narratives, revealing how ancient audiences viewed the mechanics of intercession and divine responsiveness.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Petition. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Petition in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Petition clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Petition." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/petition/