1162. deésis
Lexical Summary
deésis: Prayer, supplication, petition

Original Word: δέησις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: deésis
Pronunciation: deh'-ay-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (deh'-ay-sis)
KJV: prayer, request, supplication
NASB: prayer, prayers, petition, entreaties, supplication
Word Origin: [from G1189 (δέομαι - To beg)]

1. a petition

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
prayer, request, supplication.

From deomai; a petition -- prayer, request, supplication.

see GREEK deomai

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 1162 déēsis (deō, "to be in want, lack"; see the cognate 1189 /déomai, "praying for a specific, felt need") – heart-felt petition, arising out of deep personal need (sense of lack, want).

[1162 (déēsis) ultimately roots back to 1211 /dḗ ("really") which likewise implies a felt need that is personal and urgent (R, 1149).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from deomai
Definition
a need, entreaty
NASB Translation
entreaties (2), petition (3), prayer (6), prayers (6), supplication (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1162: δέησις

δέησις, δεήσεως, (δέομαι);

1. need, indigence (Psalm 21:25 (); Aeschines dial. 2, 39f; (Plato, Eryx. 405 e. bis); Aristotle, rhet. 2, 7 (ii., p. 1385a, 27)).

2. a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty (from Plato down); in the N. T. requests addressed by men to God (German Bittgebet, supplication); universally: James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12; as often in the Sept., joined with προσευχή (i. e. any pious address to God (see below)): Acts 1:14 Rec.; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; plural 2 Timothy 1:3; joined with προσευχαί, 1 Timothy 5:5; with νηστειαι, Luke 2:37; ποιεῖσθαι δέησιν, Philippians 1:4; ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, Luke 5:33; 1 Timothy 2:1. contextually, of prayers imploring God's aid in some particular matter: Luke 1:13; Philippians 1:19; plural Hebrews 5:7; supplication for others: (2 Corinthians 1:11); περί τίνος, Ephesians 6:18; ὑπέρ τίνος, 2 Corinthians 9:14; Philippians 1:4; with the addition πρός τόν Θεόν, Romans 10:1. [SYNONYMS: δέησις, προσευχή, ἔντευξις: προσευχή, as Prof. Grimm remarks, is unrestricted as respects its contents, while δέησις is petitionary; moreover προσευχή is a word of sacred character, being limited to prayer to God, whereas δέησις may also be used of a request addressed to man. In Byzantine Greek it is used of a written supplication (like our petition); cf. Sophocles Lexicon, under the word. See more at length Trench, § li.; also Lightfoot on Philippians 4:6; Ellicott on Ephesians 6:18; cf. Schmidt, chapter vii. In 1 Timothy 2:1 to these two words is added ἔντευξις, which expresses confiding access to God; thus, in combination, δέησις gives prominence to the expression of personal need, προσευχή to the element of devotion, ἔντευξις to that of childlike confidence, by representing prayer as the heart's converse with God. See Huther's extended note at the passage; Ellicott at the passage; Trench, as above]

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 1162, déēsis, denotes an earnest plea rising from a sense of need. While the broader term “prayer” can include praise, thanksgiving or confession, déēsis focuses on a specific request placed before God, whether for oneself or for others. The word highlights dependency, urgency and humility.

Distribution in the New Testament

Déēsis appears eighteen times, scattered across narratives, Pauline letters, Catholic Epistles and Hebrews. It surfaces in personal correspondence (Philippians 1:4), apostolic teaching about congregational life (1 Timothy 2:1), and descriptions of Jesus’ own earthly experience (Hebrews 5:7). This breadth demonstrates that supplication is not confined to private devotion but permeates every layer of Christian existence—personal, communal and Christological.

Supplication in the Life of Jesus

Hebrews 5:7 recalls the Lord’s “prayers and petitions” offered “with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death.” Déēsis marks the Son’s submission to the Father, proving that fervent petition is compatible with perfect obedience. The verse legitimizes intense, emotional pleading as a holy practice when anchored in reverence.

Supplication in Apostolic Ministry

1. Paul’s letters:
Philippians 1:4 couples “prayer” and “supplication,” revealing that joy and urgency coexist in petition.
2 Corinthians 1:11 shows the church “joining in helping us by prayer,” indicating that déēsis functions as missionary partnership.
Ephesians 6:18 commands believers to pray “with every kind of prayer and petition … for all the saints,” embedding supplication in spiritual warfare.

2. Pastoral Epistles:
1 Timothy 2:1 begins Paul’s instructions on corporate worship: “I urge, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone.” Déēsis heads the list, underscoring its foundational role.
2 Timothy 1:3 reveals Paul’s own practice—“I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day”—modeling consistent intercessory déēsis for protégés.
1 Timothy 5:5 commends widows who “continue in petitions and prayers night and day,” illustrating how sustained supplication marks genuine piety.

Supplication in the Early Church Narrative

Luke introduces déēsis at key moments:
Luke 1:13 records Zechariah’s answered petition for a son, linking personal longing to salvation history.
Luke 2:37 depicts Anna “worshiping with fasting and petitions night and day,” showing that temple-based supplication helped prepare Israel for Messiah.
Luke 5:33 contrasts the disciples of John, who multiplied “prayers,” with Jesus’ disciples, paving the way for teaching on new covenant joy without dismissing earnest petition.

The Intercessory Dimension

Déēsis frequently carries an outward focus. Romans 10:1—“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation”—exposes Paul’s evangelistic burden. James 5:16 urges believers, “The prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces results,” promising efficacy when supplication flows from upright lives. In 1 Peter 3:12 the apostle quotes Psalm 34: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer,” establishing divine attentiveness to supplicants.

Déēsis alongside Other Prayer Terms

When déēsis is paired with proseuchē (“general prayer”) or eucharistia (“thanksgiving”), Scripture distinguishes but does not separate these acts. Philippians 4:6 instructs, “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The verse teaches balance: passionate asking infused with gratitude guards the heart with peace (Philippians 4:7).

Jewish Roots and Greco-Roman Context

In Septuagint usage déēsis often translates Hebrew techinnah or tachanun, petitions grounded in covenant mercy (e.g., 1 Kings 8:54). A Greco-Roman hearer might think of formal pleas to civic patrons, but New Testament writers redirect such dependency toward the living God, the ultimate Benefactor.

Theology of Supplication

1. God invites need: Repeated commands to offer déēsis demonstrate divine willingness to hear (Ephesians 6:18).
2. Mediated through Christ: Hebrews 5:7 links Jesus’ own petitions to His high-priestly sympathy (Hebrews 4:14-16).
3. Empowered by the Spirit: “Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and petition” (Ephesians 6:18).
4. Instrument of peace: Philippians 4:6-7 promises experiential peace as a direct fruit of supplication with thanksgiving.
5. Means of mission: 2 Corinthians 1:11 and Romans 10:1 frame déēsis as fuel for evangelism and church planting.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

• Cultivate specificity: Déēsis urges believers to move beyond generalities to concrete requests.
• Engage corporately: Churches are commanded to gather for petitions on behalf of rulers, missionaries and the persecuted (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
• Persist: Luke’s portraits of Anna and early disciples commend ongoing, habitual pleading.
• Combine with fasting: Luke 2:37 shows fasting deepens supplication by intensifying dependence.
• Anchor in Scripture: Quoting Psalms, Peter identifies covenant promises as the platform for effective petitions.

Implications for Worship

Historically, liturgies have retained “collects” or “prayers of the faithful” precisely to obey texts like 1 Timothy 2:1. Including structured, specific petitions trains congregations in biblically balanced prayer.

Conclusion

Strong’s 1162 calls believers to heartfelt, humble, Spirit-dependent pleading before a receptive Father. Déēsis is both privilege and responsibility, shaping individual spirituality and corporate witness until the day prayers give way to sight.

Forms and Transliterations
δεησει δεήσει δεησεις δεήσεις δεήσεσι δεήσεσί δεησεσιν δεήσεσιν δεήσεσίν δεήσεων δεησεως δεήσεως δεήσεώς δέησεώς δεησιν δέησιν δέησίν δεησις δέησις δέησίς deesei deēsei deḗsei deeseis deēseis deḗseis deeseos deēseōs deḗseos deḗseōs deesesin deēsesin deḗsesin deḗsesín deesin deēsin déesin déēsin deesis deēsis déesis déesís déēsis déēsís
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Luke 1:13 N-NFS
GRK: εἰσηκούσθη ἡ δέησίς σου καὶ
NAS: Zacharias, for your petition has been heard,
KJV: for thy prayer is heard; and
INT: has been heard the prayer of you and

Luke 2:37 N-DFP
GRK: νηστείαις καὶ δεήσεσιν λατρεύουσα νύκτα
NAS: and day with fastings and prayers.
KJV: and prayers night
INT: with fastings and prayers serving night

Luke 5:33 N-AFP
GRK: πυκνὰ καὶ δεήσεις ποιοῦνται ὁμοίως
NAS: and offer prayers, the [disciples] of the Pharisees
KJV: and make prayers, and likewise
INT: often and prayers make likewise

Romans 10:1 N-NFS
GRK: καὶ ἡ δέησις πρὸς τὸν
NAS: desire and my prayer to God
KJV: desire and prayer to God
INT: and the supplication to

2 Corinthians 1:11 N-DFS
GRK: ἡμῶν τῇ δεήσει ἵνα ἐκ
NAS: joining in helping us through your prayers, so
KJV: helping together by prayer for
INT: us by the supplication that by

2 Corinthians 9:14 N-DFS
GRK: καὶ αὐτῶν δεήσει ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν
NAS: while they also, by prayer on your behalf,
KJV: And by their prayer for you,
INT: and of them by supplication for you

Ephesians 6:18 N-GFS
GRK: προσευχῆς καὶ δεήσεως προσευχόμενοι ἐν
NAS: prayer and petition pray
KJV: prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
INT: prayer and supplication praying in

Ephesians 6:18 N-DFS
GRK: προσκαρτερήσει καὶ δεήσει περὶ πάντων
NAS: perseverance and petition for all
KJV: perseverance and supplication for all
INT: perserverance and supplication for all

Philippians 1:4 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν πάσῃ δεήσει μου ὑπὲρ
NAS: offering prayer with joy
KJV: in every prayer of mine for
INT: in every supplication of me for

Philippians 1:4 N-AFS
GRK: χαρᾶς τὴν δέησιν ποιούμενος
NAS: in my every prayer for you all,
KJV: all making request with joy,
INT: joy the supplication making

Philippians 1:19 N-GFS
GRK: τῆς ὑμῶν δεήσεως καὶ ἐπιχορηγίας
NAS: through your prayers and the provision
KJV: through your prayer, and the supply
INT: your prayer and [the] provision

Philippians 4:6 N-DFS
GRK: καὶ τῇ δεήσει μετὰ εὐχαριστίας
NAS: by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
KJV: and supplication with
INT: and the supplication with thanksgiving

1 Timothy 2:1 N-AFP
GRK: πάντων ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις προσευχάς ἐντεύξεις
NAS: I urge that entreaties [and] prayers,
KJV: of all, supplications, prayers,
INT: of all to be made entreaties prayers intercessions

1 Timothy 5:5 N-DFP
GRK: προσμένει ταῖς δεήσεσιν καὶ ταῖς
NAS: and continues in entreaties and prayers
KJV: continueth in supplications and
INT: continues in supplications and

2 Timothy 1:3 N-DFP
GRK: ἐν ταῖς δεήσεσίν μου νυκτὸς
NAS: remember you in my prayers night
KJV: in my prayers night and
INT: in the prayers of me night

Hebrews 5:7 N-AFP
GRK: σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ δεήσεις τε καὶ
NAS: up both prayers and supplications
KJV: when he had offered up prayers and
INT: flesh of him prayers both and

James 5:16 N-NFS
GRK: πολὺ ἰσχύει δέησις δικαίου ἐνεργουμένη
NAS: The effective prayer of a righteous man
KJV: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
INT: Much prevails [the] supplication of a righteous [man] accomplishes

1 Peter 3:12 N-AFS
GRK: αὐτοῦ εἰς δέησιν αὐτῶν πρόσωπον
NAS: AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE
KJV: their prayers: but
INT: of him toward prayer of them [the] face

Strong's Greek 1162
18 Occurrences


δεήσει — 5 Occ.
δεήσεις — 3 Occ.
δεήσεως — 2 Occ.
δεήσεσιν — 3 Occ.
δέησιν — 2 Occ.
δέησίς — 3 Occ.

1161
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