In biblical terms, the concept of a "pleader" is closely associated with the role of an advocate or intercessor, one who stands in the gap on behalf of another. This role is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where individuals and figures act as intermediaries between God and humanity, pleading for mercy, justice, or intervention.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where individuals act as pleaders. One of the most notable examples is Abraham, who pleads with God for the city of Sodom. In Genesis 18:23-33, Abraham intercedes on behalf of the righteous within the city, demonstrating the role of a pleader as one who seeks to avert judgment through earnest supplication. Abraham's dialogue with God highlights the compassionate and persistent nature of a pleader.

Moses also serves as a pleader for the Israelites. After the incident of the golden calf, Moses intercedes for the people, pleading with God to spare them from destruction. In Exodus 32:11-14, Moses appeals to God's promises and character, showcasing the pleader's role in reminding God of His covenant and mercy.

The prophets frequently acted as pleaders, calling the people to repentance and interceding on their behalf. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," often pleaded with God for the people of Judah, as seen in Jeremiah 14:7-9, where he appeals to God's name and reputation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the role of a pleader is most perfectly fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is described as our Advocate with the Father. In 1 John 2:1 (BSB), it is written, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." Here, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate pleader, interceding on behalf of believers before God.

The Holy Spirit also functions as a pleader. In Romans 8:26-27 (BSB), Paul writes, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." The Holy Spirit pleads on behalf of believers, aligning their prayers with God's will.

Theological Significance

The role of a pleader is significant in understanding the nature of God's relationship with humanity. It underscores the importance of intercession and the belief that God is responsive to the prayers and petitions of His people. The pleader acts as a bridge, emphasizing the mercy and justice of God while advocating for grace and forgiveness.

In the broader theological context, the concept of a pleader points to the necessity of mediation between a holy God and sinful humanity. It highlights the compassionate nature of God, who provides advocates to intercede on behalf of His people, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Practical Implications

For believers, the role of a pleader serves as a model for intercessory prayer. Christians are encouraged to pray for one another, standing in the gap as pleaders before God. This is seen in the exhortation of James 5:16 (BSB), "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."

The concept of a pleader also calls believers to a deeper understanding of their own need for an advocate, recognizing the ongoing intercession of Christ and the Holy Spirit in their lives. This awareness fosters a sense of humility and gratitude, knowing that they are not alone in their spiritual journey but are supported by divine intercession.1. (n.) One who pleads; one who argues for or against; an advocate.

2. (n.) One who draws up or forms pleas; the draughtsman of pleas or pleadings in the widest sense; as, a special pleader.

The Divine Pleader.
... XV. THE DIVINE PLEADER. The stone is rolled away, but there is a solemn pause
just when the miracle is about to be performed. Jesus prays! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xv the divine pleader.htm

The Pleader for Imperfection Further Supports Himself by Saying...
... Address 225: The pleader for imperfection further supports himself by saying?
The pleader for imperfection further supports himself ...
/.../address 225 0 0 the pleader for.htm

Answer to Objections: He who Prays Prays not Alone
... For the Son of God is high priest of our offerings and our pleader with the Father.
He prays for those who pray, and pleads along with those who plead. ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter vi answer to objections .htm

Christ's Plea for Ignorant Sinners
... At any rate, self is asserted in the very act of forgiving. Jesus take the place
of a pleader, a pleader for those who were committing murder upon himself. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/christs plea for ignorant sinners.htm

Three Important Precepts
... conversions. I have no voice with which to play the orator; I have only
enough strength to be an earnest pleader with your souls. ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/three important precepts.htm

Letter Lxx. To Magnus an Orator of Rome.
... And as if this were not enough, that leader of the Christian army, that unvanquished
pleader for the cause of Christ, skilfully turns a chance inscription into ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxx to magnus an.htm

The Exordium or Introduction
... Sometimes the exordium is applicable to the pleader of the cause, who, tho he ought
to speak very little of himself, and always modestly, will find it of vast ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the exordium or introduction.htm

Virtues of the Mantle. It Pleads in Its Own Defence.
... I am not odorant of the canals, am not odorant of the lattices, am no constant wearer
out of benches, no wholesale router of laws, no barking pleader, no judge ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter v virtues of the mantle.htm

The Narration
... The pleader of the cause had better confess the fact than give an account of it.
"We do not deny that this money was taken out of the temple. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the narration.htm

The Faithful Promiser.
... Often are our prayers pointless, from not following, in this respect, the example
of the sweet Psalmist of Israel, the Royal Promise pleader, who delighted to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the faithful promiser/the faithful promiser.htm

Pleader (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) One who draws up or forms pleas; the draughtsman of pleas or pleadings in
the widest sense; as, a special pleader. ...Pleader (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/pleader.htm - 7k

Pleadeth (9 Occurrences)

/p/pleadeth.htm - 8k

Pleaded (21 Occurrences)

/p/pleaded.htm - 12k

Tertullus (2 Occurrences)
... the high priest and elders from Jerusalem to Caesarea to accuse Paul before Felix
the Roman governor (Acts 24:1). Tertullus was a hired pleader whose services ...
/t/tertullus.htm - 9k

Daysman (1 Occurrence)
... between God and men." Here the word understands a pleader, an advocate before an
umpire, rather than the adjudicator himself (see Job 19:25-27). ...
/d/daysman.htm - 9k

Patron (1 Occurrence)
... over him. 3. (n.) A man of distinction under whose protection another person
placed himself. 4. (n.) An advocate or pleader. 5. (n ...
/p/patron.htm - 7k

Advocate (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader;
as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth. ...
/a/advocate.htm - 11k

Stated (9 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 24:1 Five days after this, Ananias the High Priest came down to Caesarea
with a number of Elders and a pleader called Tertullus. ...
/s/stated.htm - 9k

Case (138 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:1 Five days after this, Ananias the High Priest came down to Caesarea
with a number of Elders and a pleader called Tertullus. ...
/c/case.htm - 38k

Caesarea (20 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:1 Five days after this, Ananias the High Priest came down to Caesarea
with a number of Elders and a pleader called Tertullus. ...
/c/caesarea.htm - 20k

Pleader: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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