“If My People” – Biblical Hebrew Words for Intercessors

Biblical Hebrew is a wonderful language for intercessors to learn. That doesn’t mean we have to learn many words or entire verses in Hebrew. It doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Just learning a few words from the Hebrew Bible — from verses related to prayer or verses intercessors often turn to — can be so meaningful. If you can learn a few biblical Hebrew words to use in your own prayers to God, it will help you pray in a new way with a new awareness of who He is.

Here is one of my favorite Bible verses — it’s a favorite verse for many intercessors:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Let’s look at some of these words in Hebrew:

וְיִכָּנְעוּ

The verse starts with the word “vuh-yik-ka-nuh-oo” which means “and if will humble themselves.” How significant that this verse — such a key verse for corporate prayer — begins with an invitation to be humble. That speaks volumes about God’s heart and what He is calling us, as intercessors, to be and do. It’s a reflexive verb, so it means we have to take the initiative to make ourselves humble before God.

וְיִתְפּלְלוּ

This word “vuh-yit-pal-loo” means “and (they will) pray.”

וַאנִי אֶשְׁמַע

What happens when all the earlier conditions of this verse are met? God says, “Then I will hear” – “vah-ah-ni” (then I) “esh-mah” (will hear).

If you have a Hebrew Bible (or want to look at one online), turn to 2 Chronicles 7:14 and see if you can recognize those words.

Then use these words in a prayer to God:

Lord, thank You that You tell us: “vuh-yik-ka-nuh-oo” “vuh-yit-pal-loo” “vah-ah-ni” “esh-mah.”

Lord, thank You that You tell us: “If will humble themselves and pray [My people], then I will hear.”

God bless!

Shalom.

שָׁלוֹם

Here is one of my favorite music groups singing about 2 Chronicles 7:14. Enjoy!

If My People Will Pray

Interested in getting a taste of biblical Hebrew? There’s more to discover on my Biblical Hebrew Lessons page.