שְׁאֵלָה (she.e.lah)
she.e.lah
petition
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun she’elah denotes a specific request or petition, often carrying the weight of a formal demand rather than a casual ask. It appears fourteen times in the Hebrew Bible, with significant occurrences in Esther, 1 Samuel, and 1 Kings. The word points to the object of the request itself—the "thing asked for"—highlighting the tangible nature of what is being sought.
In Esther, this term underscores the high stakes of royal protocol. When characters approach the king, they are not merely sharing thoughts but submitting a formal petition that could determine life or death. Similarly, in 1 Samuel and 1 Kings, it marks moments where individuals seek judgment or resources through established channels, reflecting a structured social order where requests were processed with gravity.
Its Aramaic equivalent, she’ela, broadens the sense to include general "affairs" or matters at hand. This linguistic connection suggests that in ancient Near Eastern contexts, a petition was not just an isolated plea but part of broader administrative or legal proceedings. The word captures the intersection of human need and institutional response.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sheelah points to a specific petition or request, often carrying the weight of a formal demand rather than a casual ask. In ancient contexts, it was not merely a wish but a tangible object sought through established channels. This term appears fourteen times in the Hebrew Bible, with significant occurrences in Esther, 1 Samuel, and 1 Kings. It highlights the intersection of human need and institutional response, reminding us that our prayers are heard within a structured divine order.
When characters approach the king in Esther, they submit formal petitions that could determine life or death. Similarly, Hannah in 1 Samuel brings her deep longing before God, receiving assurance that her petition has been granted. This word encourages us to bring our specific needs to God with clarity and faith, knowing He values the tangible details of our lives.
Whether seeking judgment, resources, or deliverance, sheelah teaches us that God invites us to be direct in our requests. It is not about vague longing but clear communication. As we pray, we can trust that our petitions are seen and considered by a God who cares for the specifics of our daily lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- petition/ my4×
- a petition3×
- [is] petition/ your3×
- the/ petition1×
- petition/ your1×
- petition/ their1×
- for/ petition/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔/י2×
- שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֛/ךְ1×
- שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֖/ךְ1×
- שְּׁאֵֽלָתֵ/ךְ֙1×
- שֶׁאֱלָתָ֑/ם1×
- שֶֽׁאֱלָתִ֑/י1×
- שֵׁ֣לָתֵ֔/ךְ1×
- שְׁאֵלָתִ֖/י1×
- שְׁאֵלָ֨ה1×
- שְׁאֵלָ֤ה1×
- שְׁאֵלָ֔ה1×
- הַ/שְּׁאֵלָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 1:27
I prayed for this child, and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
Hannah uses this word to describe the specific child she prayed for, showing that God hears and grants precise petitions.
-
Esther 5:6
The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”
The king offers to grant Esther's petition even to half the kingdom, illustrating the high stakes of formal royal requests.
-
I Kings 2:16
Now I ask one petition of you. Don’t deny me.” She said to him, “Say on.”
Bathsheba approaches Solomon with a single petition, demonstrating the gravity and protocol involved in seeking royal favor.