ask ( שׁאל , shā'al "to inquire," "to seek for counsel," "to demand"): It is the word commonly used in the Old Testament and is equivalent to ἐπερωτάω , eperōtáō , "to request," used in the New Testament. It does not imply any inferiority on the part of the person asking (Psalm 2:8 ). It is the Son who is bidden to ask, and therefore the word expresses the request of an equal. It has also the meaning "to inquire": "Wherefore ... ask after my name?" (Genesis 32:29 ) signifying, "Surely you must know who I am." "Ye shall ask me no question" (John 16:23 ), i.e. "about the true meaning of My words, for all will then be clear to you" (Dummelow). αἰτέω , aitéō , is the word commonly used with reference to prayer. It means "to ask," "to implore," and presents the petitioner as an inferior asking from a superior (Matthew 6:8; Matthew 7:7 , Matthew 7:8; Mark 10:35; John 14:13 , and in many other places). It is not, however, asking in the sense of the word beg, but rather that of a child making request of its father. The petitioner asks both because of his need and of the assurance that he is welcome. He is assured before he asks that the petition will be granted, if he asks in accordance with God's will (1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:15 ). Moreover the Spirit leads us to such asking in that He reveals our need and the goodness of God to us. See AMISS; PRAYER .
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
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