חָלָה
cha.lah (H2470B)
to beg
AI Word Study
# חָלָה (chalah): The Hebrew Word for Begging The Hebrew verb חָלָה (chalah) appears 16 times throughout the Bible with the primary meaning "to beg." This relatively rare word occupies a specific semantic space in biblical Hebrew, designating the act of urgent, humble petition—typically when someone of lower status or greater need appeals to another for help or favor. The word's limited frequency suggests it was used selectively to mark moments of particular desperation or supplication in biblical narratives. The 16 documented occurrences indicate that chalah functioned as one option among several Hebrew verbs for expressing petition and request. Its presence in the biblical text shows that ancient Hebrew speakers distinguished between different types of asking: this word specifically captured the nuance of *begging*—the urgent, emotionally laden form of appeal rather than simple requesting. This distinction would have carried social significance, marking power imbalances or situations of genuine need within biblical accounts. The relatively modest frequency of chalah in the biblical corpus suggests its use was deliberate and meaningful. When biblical writers chose this particular verb rather than alternatives, they likely intended to emphasize the desperate or humble nature of a petition. For readers of biblical texts, recognizing this word signals moments where characters are portrayed as genuinely vulnerable, dependent, or in pressing need of assistance from others.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
Moses begged Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven’t entreated the favor of Yahweh.’ I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering.”
The king answered the man of God, “Now intercede for the favor of Yahweh your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again.” The man of God interceded with Yahweh, and the king’s hand was restored to him again, and became as it was before.
Jehoahaz begged Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him; for he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Syria oppressed them.
When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
The daughter of Tyre comes with a gift. The rich among the people entreat your favor.
I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Didn’t he fear Yahweh, and entreat the favor of Yahweh, and Yahweh relented of the disaster which he had pronounced against them? We would commit great evil against our own souls that way!”
As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come on us. Yet we have not entreated the favor of Yahweh our God, that we should turn from our iniquities and have discernment in your truth.
The people of Bethel sent Sharezer and Regem Melech, and their men, to entreat Yahweh’s favor,
and the inhabitants of one shall go to another, saying, ‘Let’s go speedily to entreat the favor of Yahweh, and to seek Yahweh of Armies. I will go also.’
Yes, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Yahweh of Armies in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of Yahweh.”
“Now, please entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?” says Yahweh of Armies.