ἱκετηρία (G2428) — Greek Lexicon

ἱκετηρία

hiketēría

G2428 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An olive branch or bough carried as a symbol of supplication or plea for mercy; by extension, an act or gesture of earnest entreaty, supplication, or appeal for favor or protection. In its concrete sense, refers to the physical emblem (usually an olive branch) held by a petitioner when formally approaching a person in authority for mercy or protection. In extended or metaphorical usage, denotes the act or process of seeking favor through urgent pleading or petition.

Semantic Range

olive branch of supplication, symbol of petition, act of supplication or entreaty, earnest plea, ritual appeal for protection or favor

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ἱκετ- (of ἱκέτης, 'suppliant, petitioner'), which is thought to be related to the concept of approaching or coming near for the purpose of seeking help or mercy. The underlying connection to ἱκανός ('able, sufficient') is disputed; the primary sense appears to come from ancient Greek ritual language and practice regarding acts of supplication.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἱκετηρία specifically referred to the olive branch entwined with wool held by a suppliant—often a visible marker that distinguished formal supplication, particularly in cultic, legal, or sanctuary contexts (e.g., Euripides, Aeschylus). Bringing a ἱκετηρία placed the petitioner under religious protection and signaled their vulnerable status. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, the word retains connotations of ritual pledge and urgent appeal, though in later periods may refer more generally to an act of supplication or intercession. In the New Testament (Hebrews 5:7), the term is used abstractly for fervent petitions or entreaties, not the physical branch. Most English translations render ἱκετηρία as 'supplication' or 'petition,' which captures the sense of earnest plea but may obscure the original reference to a symbolic object of ritual significance. Other words for prayer, such as δέησις or προσευχή, lack this concrete and symbolic dimension.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of the base of ἱκανός (through the idea of approaching for a favor); intreaty:--supplication.

Root Family

ἱκετηρία (hiketēria) — olive branch of supplication, symbol of petition, earnest entreaty, ritual appeal for protection

Root ἱκετ- to approach seeking help, to supplicate, to make an entreaty

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G2428-01`	ἱκετηρίας	iketerias	`N ACC F PL`	supplications	supplicatory olive branches	supplicatory olive branches	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G2428-01`	Hebrews 5:7	ἱκετηρίας	iketerias	`N ACC F PL`	supplications	supplicatory olive branches	supplicatory olive branches

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