What does the Bible say about intercession?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible commends intercession as loving, courageous pleading for others, while teaching that our ultimate hope rests in God’s appointed Mediator, Jesus Christ. Reuben sought to spare Joseph’s life in Genesis 37:21-22, and Judah urged mercy rather than abandoning him in Genesis 37:26-27. Jonathan pleaded successfully with Saul for David in 1 Samuel 19:1-7, and Abigail humbly interceded to turn David from bloodshed in 1 Samuel 25:23-35. The woman of Tekoa and Bathsheba also appealed to King David on behalf of others. Yet 1 Samuel 2:25 exposes the seriousness of sin against God and our need for divine mercy. Believers therefore pray and plead for neighbors, trusting God alone to judge, save, and reconcile.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- OF MAN WITH MAN 1 Samuel 2:25
- INSTANCES OF
- Reuben for Joseph Genesis 37:21; Genesis 37:22
- Judah for Joseph Genesis 37:26; Genesis 37:27
- Pharaoh’s chief baker for Joseph Genesis 41:9-13
- Jonathan for David 1 Samuel 19:1-7
- Abigail for Nabal 1 Samuel 25:23-35
- Joab for Absalom 2 Samuel 14:1-24
- Bath-sheba For Solomon 1 Kings 1:15-31; 1 Kings 2:13-25
- Ebed-melech for Jeremiah Jeremiah 38:7-13
- Elisha offers to see the king for the Shunammite woman 2 Kings 4:13
- The king of Syria for Naaman 2 Kings 5:6-8
- Paul for Onesimus Philemon 1:10-21
- OF MAN WITH GOD Genesis 20:7; Exodus 28:12; Exodus 28:29; Exodus 28:30; Exodus 28:38; Exodus 32:9-14; Numbers 6:23-26; Numbers 14:11-21; Numbers 16:46-50; Deuteronomy 5:5; Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 9:18
- EXEMPLIFIED Genesis 48:15-20; Exodus 32:31; Exodus 32:32; Exodus 34:9; Numbers 10:35; Numbers 10:36; Numbers 27:16; Numbers 27:17; Joshua 7:7-26; Judges 5:31; Ruth 2:12; 1 Samuel 1:17
- See PRAYER, INTERCESSORY
- ADDITIONAL INSTANCES OF
- Abraham In behalf of Sodom Genesis 18:23-32; Genesis 20:17; Genesis 20:18
- Abraham’s servant, in behalf of his master Genesis 24:12
- Jacob, in behalf of his children Genesis 49
- Moses, in behalf of Pharaoh Exodus 8:12; Exodus 8:13; Exodus 8:30; Exodus 8:31; Exodus 9:33; Exodus 10:18; Exodus 10:19
- Moses For Israel Numbers 16:20-22; Numbers 21:7; Deuteronomy 33:6-17; Psalms 106:23; Numbers 12:13-15
- David, for Israel 2 Samuel 24:17
- Solomon, for Israel 1 Kings 8:29-53
- Ezra, for Israel Ezra 9:5-15
- Nehemiah, in behalf of Judah and Jerusalem Nehemiah 1:4-9
- Asaph, for the congregation Psalms 80; Psalms 83
- Korah, for the congregation Psalms 85:1-7
- Jeremiah, for Israel Jeremiah 14:7-22
- Amos, for Israel Amos 7:2-6
- The Syro-Phoenician woman, for her daughter Matthew 15:22
- The disciples, in behalf of Peter’s mother-in-law Luke 4:38; Luke 4:39
- Parents, for their epileptic son Matthew 17:15; Mark 9:17-27
- Others, who sought Jesus in behalf of afflicted people Matthew 12:22; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 15:30; Matthew 17:14-18; Mark 1:32; Mark 2:3; Luke 5:18-20; John 4:47; John 4:49
- Paul, for God’s people Acts 20:32
- Onesiphorus 2 Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:18
- For Paul, by the congregations Acts 14:26; Acts 15:40
- SOLICITED
- Instances of By Pharaoh, of Moses Exodus 8:8; Exodus 8:28; Exodus 9:28; Exodus 10:17; Exodus 12:32; Numbers 21:7
- By Israel, of Samuel 1 Samuel 12:19
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