Strong's Hebrew: 6419. פָּלַל (palal) -- pray, prayed, praying

Original Word: פָלַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: palal
Pronunciation: pah-LAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-lal')
KJV: intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication
NASB: pray, prayed, praying, prays, intercede, expected, interceded
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to judge (officially or mentally)
2. by extension, to intercede, pray

entreat, judgment, make prayer make supplication

A primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray -- intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to intervene, interpose
NASB Translation
expected (1), intercede (2), interceded (1), interposed (1), made judgment favorable (1), make supplication (1), mediate (1), pray (36), prayed (28), praying (8), prays (4).

[מָּלַל]₈₄ verb probably intervene, interpose (hence both arbitrate, judge, and intercede, pray, compare Dr^{1Samuel 2:25}; Late Hebrew פלל (rare), נתפלל, pray, מִּילּוּל act of prayer, מְּלִילָה judicial matter; — otherwise We^{Heid. (2), 126} who conjectures derivation for הִתְמַּלֵּל from Arabic notch edge (of sword, etc.), i.e. cut one-self in worship); —

Pi`el mediate, judge: Perfect3masculine singular consecutive, arbitrate, suffix וּפִלְלוֺ 1 Samuel 2:25 (but read probably 3 plural וּפִלְלוּ We Dr and others, word-play with ׳יִתְפ following); 2 feminine singular מִּלַּלְתְּ Ezekiel 16:52 mediate for (ל person) namely, through thine own sins; 1 singular מִּלָּ֑לְתִּי Genesis 48:11 (E; possibly denominative from פליל) I did not judge (have the opinion, expect) to see, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular וַיְפַלֵּל Psalm 106:30 (absolute) he interposed (by slaying offender).

Hithpa`el₈₀ Perfect3masculine singular הִתְמַּלֵּל 1 Kings 8:42; 1singular הִתְמַּלָּ֑לְתִּי 1 Samuel 1:27, etc.; Imperfect יִתְמַּלֵּל Psalm 32:6 +; יִתְמַּלֶּלֿ 1 Samuel 2:25; 1singular אֶתְאֶתְמּלָּ֑ל Psalm 5:3, etc.;Imperative הִתְמַּלֵּל Numbers 21:7 +, etc.; Infinitive construct הִתְמַּלֵּל Ezekiel 10:1 +, etc.; Participle מִתְמַּלֵּל Jeremiah 42:4 +, etc.; —

1 specifically intercede (with ׳י), with בעד, on behalf of Genesis 20:7; Numbers 21:7 (E) Deuteronomy 9:20; 1 Samuel 12:23 6t.; with לִ, 1 Samuel 2:25; אֶליֿהוה Numbers 11:2; Numbers 21:7 (JE) Deuteronomy 9:26; with בעד + אליֿהוה 1 Samuel 7:5; Jeremiah 29:7 4t.; אלהֿאלהים Genesis 20:17 (E); with על for2Chronicles 30:18; Job 42:8 (late).

2 Generally pray, with אֶל, unto idol Isaiah 44:17; Isaiah 45:20; unto Israel Isaiah 45:14; ׳בוֺא אלמֿקדשׁ להתפ Isaiah 16:12.

3 pray (to ׳י), absolute 1 Kings 8:33; 2 Kings 6:17; Ezra 10:1; Daniel 9:20; 2Chronicles 6:24; 7:1,14, with ׳אֶליֿ 1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Samuel 8:6; 2 Kings 4:33; 2 Kings 6:18; 2 Kings 20:2 = Isaiah 38:2 2Chronicles 32:24, + 10 t.; ׳תפלה אֶליֿ ׳הִתְפ 2 Samuel 7:27; 1 Kings 8:54; על יהוה 1 Samuel 1:10 (readאֶל); לִפְנֵי 1 Samuel 1:12; 1 Kings 8:28 + 5t.; with לְ Daniel 9:4; with אֶל of thing prayed for 1 Samuel 1:27; with אֶל against 2 Kings 19:20 = Isaiah 37:21(read עַל); עַלזֹֿאת because of this2Chronicles 32:20; Psalm 32:6; with אֶל location: אֶלֿ הַמָּקוֺם 1 Kings 8:29,30,35 2Chronicles 6:20,21,26; אֶלהַֿבַּית 1 Kings 8:42 2Chronicles 6:32; with accusative דֶּרֶךְ הָעִיר 1 Kings 8:44 2Chronicles 6:34; דֶּרֶךְ אַרְצָם 1 Kings 8:48 2Chronicles 6:38.

4 of poetical, liturgical prayer, absolute 1 Samuel 2:1, with אֶל Jonah 2:2.

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Scope and Significance

פָלַל is the principal Old Testament verb for prayer and intercession, appearing about eighty-four times from Genesis to Zechariah. Every occurrence portrays a deliberate movement into God’s presence to seek mercy, justice, guidance, or deliverance for oneself or others. Because the act invites divine evaluation, it shapes personal holiness, national destiny, and eschatological hope.

Frequency and Distribution

• Pentateuch – foundational examples with Abraham (Genesis 20:17) and Moses (Numbers 11:2).
• Historical Books – dense clusters with Samuel, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah.
• Psalms and Wisdom Literature – personal devotion and liturgical use (Psalm 5:2; Job 42:10).
• Prophets – both encouragement and prohibition (Jeremiah 7:16; Zechariah 8:21).

Theology of Intercession

Intercession assumes covenant relationship. God acts in history through the prayers of His people, yet remains free to refuse hardened rebels (Jeremiah 14:11). Prayer therefore balances appeal to mercy with submission to divine judgment (Psalm 17:2).

Prayer for Deliverance and Healing

Genesis 20:17; Exodus 8:30; Numbers 21:7; 2 Kings 19:20. Each instance shows God reversing catastrophe in response to prayer.

Prayer for Forgiveness and Covenant Mercy

Deuteronomy 9:26; 1 Kings 8:30; 2 Chronicles 30:18. Confession and restoration are central, linking individual sin to national welfare.

Prayer and Spiritual Leadership

1 Samuel 12:23 – refusal to pray is called sin. Kings and prophets succeed or fail in proportion to their prayer life.

Personal Lament and Praise

Hannah’s anguish (1 Samuel 1:10), David’s fasting (2 Samuel 12:16), Jonah’s cry (Jonah 2:1) illustrate prayer as the believer’s first resort in distress.

Temple and Liturgical Context

Solomon’s dedication (1 Kings 8:22-54) establishes the temple as a "house of prayer" open to Gentiles (Isaiah 56:7). Posture includes standing, kneeling, prostration, and uplifted hands.

Prophetic Commentary

Jeremiah exposes scenarios where intercession is futile because judgment is irrevocable, while Zechariah foresees nations streaming to Jerusalem to "seek the LORD and entreat His favor" (Zechariah 8:21).

Eschatological-Messianic Hints

Psalm 72:15 envisions perpetual prayer for the ideal king; Isaiah 53:12 joins intercession to substitutionary suffering, preparing the way for the Messiah who "always lives to intercede" (Hebrews 7:25).

Continuity into the New Testament

Although expressed in Greek, the same pattern governs the early church (Acts 1:14), culminating in Christ’s high-priestly ministry and the believer’s royal-priestly calling (1 Peter 2:9).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Prayer is a covenant duty; neglect is moral failure.
2. Leaders must model persistent, Scripture-shaped intercession.
3. Effective prayer integrates confession, petition, thanksgiving, and submission to divine sovereignty.
4. Corporate prayer sustains congregational vitality and mission.
5. Even unanswered prayer serves God’s purposes, refining faith and exposing sin.

Selected Passages for Study

Genesis 20:17; Exodus 8:30; Numbers 11:2; Deuteronomy 9:26; 1 Samuel 7:5; 1 Samuel 12:23; 2 Samuel 7:27; 1 Kings 8:22-54; 2 Kings 19:15-20; 2 Chronicles 32:20; Ezra 10:1; Nehemiah 1:4-11; Job 42:10; Psalm 5:2; Psalm 122:6; Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 29:12; Jonah 2:1; Zechariah 8:21-22.

אֶתְפַּלָּֽל׃ אתפלל׃ בְּהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וֹ בהתפללו הִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל הִתְפַּלֵּ֧ל הִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל הִתְפַּלֵּל֙ הִתְפַּלֶּל־ הִתְפַּלַּ֣לְתָּ הִתְפַּלַּ֧לְתָּ הִתְפַּלָּ֑לְתִּי התפלל התפלל־ התפללת התפללתי וְאֶתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֗וּ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֞וּ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ וְהִֽתְפַּלְל֖וּ וְהִֽתְפַּלְל֞וּ וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּ וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וְהִתְפַּלַּלְתֶּ֖ם וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙ וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וַיְפַלֵּ֑ל וַיִּ֨תְפַּלֵּ֔ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֞ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ וַנִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל וָֽאֶתְפַּֽלְלָ֛ה וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֖ל וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל וּכְהִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל וּמִתְפַּלְלִ֔ים וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל וּפִֽלְל֣וֹ ואתפלל ואתפללה והתפלל והתפללו והתפללתם ויפלל ויתפלל ויתפללו וכהתפלל ומתפלל ומתפללים ונתפלל ופללו ותתפלל יִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וּ יִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל יִתְפַּלֵּ֬ל יִתְפַּלֶּל־ יִתְפַּלָּ֔לוּ יתפלל יתפלל־ יתפללו לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּל֙ להתפלל מִתְפַּלֵּ֛ל מִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל מתפלל פִּלַּלְתְּ֙ פִלָּ֑לְתִּי פללת פללתי תִּתְפַּלֵּ֛ל תִּתְפַּלֵּ֣ל ׀ תִּתְפַּלֵּל֙ תתפלל ’eṯ·pal·lāl ’eṯpallāl bə·hiṯ·pal·lōw behitpalLo bəhiṯpallōw etpalLal filLalti hiṯ·pal·lā·lə·tî hiṯ·pal·lal·tā hiṯ·pal·lêl hiṯ·pal·lel- hiṯpallālətî hitpalLalta hiṯpallaltā hitpalLalti hitpalLel hiṯpallêl hiṯpallel- lə·hiṯ·pal·lêl lehitpalLel ləhiṯpallêl miṯ·pal·lêl mitpalLel miṯpallêl p̄il·lā·lə·tî pil·lalt p̄illālətî pillalt tiṯ·pal·lêl titpalLel tiṯpallêl ū·ḵə·hiṯ·pal·lêl ū·miṯ·pal·lêl ū·miṯ·pal·lîm ū·p̄il·lōw uchehitpalLel ufilLo ūḵəhiṯpallêl umitpalLel ūmiṯpallêl umitpalLim ūmiṯpallîm ūp̄illōw vaetpalLah vaetpalLel vaiyitpalLel vannitpalLel vattitpalLel vayfalLel veetpalLel vehitpallalTem vehitpalLel vehitpalLu veyitpalLel veyitpalLu wā’eṯpallāh wā’eṯpallêl wā·’eṯ·pal·lāh wā·’eṯ·pal·lêl wan·niṯ·pal·lêl wanniṯpallêl wat·tiṯ·pal·lêl wattiṯpallêl way·p̄al·lêl way·yiṯ·pal·lêl wayp̄allêl wayyiṯpallêl wə’eṯpallêl wə·’eṯ·pal·lêl wə·hiṯ·pal·lal·tem wə·hiṯ·pal·lêl wə·hiṯ·pal·lū wə·yiṯ·pal·lêl wə·yiṯ·pal·lū wəhiṯpallaltem wəhiṯpallêl wəhiṯpallū wəyiṯpallêl wəyiṯpallū yiṯ·pal·lā·lū yiṯ·pal·lêl yiṯ·pal·lel- yiṯ·pal·lū yitpalLalu yiṯpallālū yitpallel yiṯpallêl yiṯpallel- yitpalLu yiṯpallūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts

Genesis 20:7
HEB: נָבִ֣יא ה֔וּא וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל בַּֽעַדְךָ֖ וֶֽחְיֵ֑ה
NAS: for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live.
KJV: for he [is] a prophet, and he shall pray for thee,
INT: prophet and he will pray thee will live

Genesis 20:17
HEB: וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶל־
NAS: Abraham prayed to God, and God
KJV: So Abraham prayed unto God: and God
INT: prayed Abraham to

Genesis 48:11
HEB: פָנֶ֖יךָ לֹ֣א פִלָּ֑לְתִּי וְהִנֵּ֨ה הֶרְאָ֥ה
NAS: I never expected to see
KJV: unto Joseph, I had not thought to see
INT: your face never expected and behold see

Numbers 11:2
HEB: אֶל־ מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל־
NAS: and Moses prayed to the LORD
KJV: and when Moses prayed unto the LORD,
INT: to Moses prayed and Moses to

Numbers 21:7
HEB: בַֽיהוָה֙ וָבָ֔ךְ הִתְפַּלֵּל֙ אֶל־ יְהוָ֔ה
NAS: against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD,
KJV: against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD,
INT: have spoken the LORD intercede with the LORD

Numbers 21:7
HEB: אֶת־ הַנָּחָ֑שׁ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַ֥ד
NAS: from us. And Moses interceded for the people.
KJV: from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
INT: and the serpents interceded and Moses for

Deuteronomy 9:20
HEB: מְאֹ֖ד לְהַשְׁמִיד֑וֹ וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל גַּם־ בְּעַ֥ד
NAS: him; so I also prayed for Aaron
KJV: to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron
INT: enough to destroy prayed also for

Deuteronomy 9:26
HEB: וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל אֶל־ יְהוָה֮
NAS: I prayed to the LORD and said,
KJV: I prayed therefore unto the LORD,
INT: prayed to the LORD

1 Samuel 1:10
HEB: מָ֣רַת נָ֑פֶשׁ וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל עַל־ יְהוָ֖ה
NAS: She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD
KJV: of soul, and prayed unto the LORD,
INT: greatly of soul prayed unto the LORD

1 Samuel 1:12
HEB: כִּ֣י הִרְבְּתָ֔ה לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה
NAS: about, as she continued praying before
KJV: And it came to pass, as she continued praying before
INT: for continued praying before the LORD

1 Samuel 1:26
HEB: עִמְּכָה֙ בָּזֶ֔ה לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל אֶל־ יְהוָֽה׃
NAS: here beside you, praying to the LORD.
KJV: that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.
INT: beside here praying to the LORD

1 Samuel 1:27
HEB: הַנַּ֥עַר הַזֶּ֖ה הִתְפַּלָּ֑לְתִּי וַיִּתֵּ֨ן יְהוָ֥ה
NAS: boy I prayed, and the LORD
KJV: For this child I prayed; and the LORD
INT: boy this prayed has given and the LORD

1 Samuel 2:1
HEB: וַתִּתְפַּלֵּ֤ל חַנָּה֙ וַתֹּאמַ֔ר
NAS: Then Hannah prayed and said, My heart
KJV: And Hannah prayed, and said,
INT: prayed Hannah and said

1 Samuel 2:25
HEB: אִ֤ישׁ לְאִישׁ֙ וּפִֽלְל֣וֹ אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְאִ֤ם
NAS: God will mediate for him; but if
KJV: the judge shall judge him: but if a man
INT: man another will mediate God if

1 Samuel 2:25
HEB: אִ֔ישׁ מִ֖י יִתְפַּלֶּל־ ל֑וֹ וְלֹ֤א
NAS: who can intercede for him? But they would not listen
KJV: against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened
INT: A man who intercede not listen

1 Samuel 7:5
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הַמִּצְפָּ֑תָה וְאֶתְפַּלֵּ֥ל בַּעַדְכֶ֖ם אֶל־
NAS: to Mizpah and I will pray to the LORD
KJV: to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.
INT: Israel Mitspah will pray about to

1 Samuel 8:6
HEB: מֶ֖לֶךְ לְשָׁפְטֵ֑נוּ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל אֶל־
NAS: us. And Samuel prayed to the LORD.
KJV: us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
INT: A king to judge prayed and Samuel to

1 Samuel 12:19
HEB: אֶל־ שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל הִתְפַּלֵּ֧ל בְּעַד־ עֲבָדֶ֛יךָ
NAS: to Samuel, Pray for your servants
KJV: unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants
INT: to Samuel Pray for your servants

1 Samuel 12:23
HEB: לַֽיהוָ֔ה מֵחֲדֹ֖ל לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל בַּעַדְכֶ֑ם וְהוֹרֵיתִ֣י
NAS: by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct
KJV: in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach
INT: the LORD ceasing to pray about will instruct

2 Samuel 7:27
HEB: אֶת־ לִבּ֔וֹ לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל אֵלֶ֔יךָ אֶת־
NAS: has found courage to pray this prayer
KJV: in his heart to pray this prayer
INT: your servant courage to pray about prayer

1 Kings 8:28
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֧ר עַבְדְּךָ֛ מִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל לְפָנֶ֖יךָ הַיּֽוֹם׃
NAS: Your servant prays before
KJV: which thy servant prayeth before
INT: which your servant prays before today

1 Kings 8:29
HEB: הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶל־
NAS: Your servant shall pray toward
KJV: which thy servant shall make toward this place.
INT: to the prayer which shall pray your servant toward

1 Kings 8:30
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וּ אֶל־ הַמָּק֣וֹם
NAS: Israel, when they pray toward this
KJV: Israel, when they shall pray toward this place:
INT: Israel when pray toward place

1 Kings 8:33
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמֶ֔ךָ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֛וּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ
NAS: Your name and pray and make supplication
KJV: thy name, and pray, and make supplication
INT: confess your name and pray and make about

1 Kings 8:35
HEB: יֶחֶטְאוּ־ לָ֑ךְ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֞וּ אֶל־ הַמָּק֤וֹם
NAS: they have sinned against You, and they pray toward
KJV: because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place,
INT: because have sinned pray toward place

84 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6419
84 Occurrences

bə·hiṯ·pal·lōw — 1 Occ.
’eṯ·pal·lāl — 1 Occ.
p̄il·lā·lə·tî — 1 Occ.
hiṯ·pal·lal·tā — 2 Occ.
hiṯ·pal·lā·lə·tî — 1 Occ.
hiṯ·pal·lêl — 5 Occ.
lə·hiṯ·pal·lêl — 8 Occ.
miṯ·pal·lêl — 4 Occ.
pil·lalt — 1 Occ.
tiṯ·pal·lêl — 3 Occ.
ū·ḵə·hiṯ·pal·lêl — 1 Occ.
ū·p̄il·lōw — 1 Occ.
ū·miṯ·pal·lêl — 2 Occ.
ū·miṯ·pal·lîm — 1 Occ.
wā·’eṯ·pal·lāh — 1 Occ.
wā·’eṯ·pal·lêl — 4 Occ.
way·yiṯ·pal·lêl — 16 Occ.
wan·niṯ·pal·lêl — 1 Occ.
wat·tiṯ·pal·lêl — 2 Occ.
way·p̄al·lêl — 1 Occ.
wə·’eṯ·pal·lêl — 1 Occ.
wə·hiṯ·pal·lal·tem — 1 Occ.
wə·hiṯ·pal·lêl — 3 Occ.
wə·hiṯ·pal·lū — 10 Occ.
wə·yiṯ·pal·lêl — 3 Occ.
wə·yiṯ·pal·lū — 1 Occ.
yiṯ·pal·lā·lū — 1 Occ.
yiṯ·pal·lel- — 5 Occ.
yiṯ·pal·lū — 2 Occ.