Athar

Plead/entreat

"And Isaac pleaded with God for the sake of His wife." Genesis 25:21

The Bible has a number of words for prayer which represent different approaches and types of prayers. For the ancients, prayer was part of their overall worldview; it was integrated in all aspects of their life,¹ much more so than it’s become in modern times, even for the “believer.” Paul takes hold of the importance of constant conversation with God when he encourages us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He alludes to the set prayers and blessings of 1st Century Judaism, all of which assume the integration of constant conversations with God into every aspect of life.  Constant prayers and blessings are a mainstay of the life of the ancient Hebrew. As Tevye says in “Fiddler on the Roof” “there’s a blessing for everything!” So, it’s surprising that what we have in Genesis 25:21 is not that kind of prayer. Tefillah is the most common word for that type of prayer, but in Genesis 25:21, the word “pleaded” is  עתירה (atirah), which is related to “digging.” 

The root word is “at*har” and this verse is the first mention. This is the same word Pharaoh used when he begs Moses to plead with God to stop the plagues. (Exodus 8:8) It’s specific, urgent and full of heart and soul. It’s the kind that won’t give up because it is born from a knowing trust in the One you plead with. (It was 20 years before Rebekah conceived.)

H6279

עָתַר

‛âthar

aw-thar'

A primitive root (rather denominative from H6281); to burn incense in worship, that is, intercede (reciprocally listen to prayer): - intreat, (make) pray (-er).

This word root is made up of three Hebrew letters: ayin, tav, resh

Each Hebrew letter can have a variety of word picture meanings, all can be combined to paint a mural of rich meaning. Here is one such interpretation from Bill Bullock of The Rabbi’s Son:*²

Ayin: an eye, to see or experience

Tav: covenant sign

Resh: head, person, first, empowering king

The Hebraic word picture becomes: a man’s soul [ayin] focusing intently on the covenant sign [tav] until the king steps off his throne [resh] to take action on the man’s behalf.

¹ “First Steps in Messianic Jewish Prayer” by Aaron Eby is a great introduction to the Jewish prayers at the time of Jesus/Yeshua.

 ²Thank you to Bill Bullock for this understanding.