Guest Post: Entreat or Intreat?

By Dr. Steve Leathley

Two verily similar, yet distinct words, used in the Bible are the words “entreat” and “intreat”. We will begin by simply stating that these two words are specific to the King James Bible (1611) and the wonderful truth to follow cannot be found in any other bible translation (yes, even including the NKJV).

Modern dictionaries will call the word “intreat” an archaic variant of “entreat”. Even my spell-check underlines this word as not correct! They would merge the two words together as being an archaic (“intreat”) and a current (“entreat”) spelling of the same word. Sadly, even our beloved Webster’s 1828 Dictionary does not even list the word “intreat” (though it does list the word “intreatful”??) but spells and defines it as “entreat”. So, with all the other bible versions and all of the dictionaries telling us that the two words are the same, is this true? Or is there a difference between the two words?

The word “intreat” is used fifteen times in the Bible (KJB). The following is a list of those references: Genesis 23:8; Exodus 8:8,9,28,29, 9:28, 10:17; Ruth 1:16; 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Kings 13:6; Psalm 45:12; Proverbs 19:6; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Philippians 4:3 and 1 Timothy 5:1. The word “intreated” is used eighteen times: Genesis 25:21 (twice); Exodus 8:30, 10:18; Judges 13:8; 2 Samuel 21:14, 24:25; 1 Chronicles 5:20; 2 Chronicles 33:13, 19; Ezra 8:23; Job 19:16, 17; Psalm 119:58; Isaiah 19:12; Luke 15:28; Hebrews 12:19 and James 3:17, and the words “intreaties” and “intreaty” are each used once: Proverbs 18:23 and 2 Corinthians 8:4. That is a total of 35 times. Remember, this is the word that is considered archaic and has been changed to “entreat”.

The actual word “entreat” is used only twice; in Jeremiah 15:11 and Acts 7:6. However the word “entreated” is used nine times: in Genesis 12:16; Exodus 5:22; Deuteronomy 26:6; Matthew 22:6; Luke 18:32, 20:11; Acts 7:19, 27:3 and 1 Thessalonians 2:2, and the word “entreateth” is also used once in Job 24:21. That is a total of 12 times.

Now, to the difference between the two words. If you look up all the references to the word “intreat” and its variants you will see that in every occurrence the word is used in reference to ASKING (example: “intreat the Lord” appears four times). You can check the other references to see that this holds true. On the other hand, the word “entreat” and its variants are used in reference to ACTIONS (see “evil entreated”, “spitefully entreated”, “courteously entreated”, “shamefully entreated”, etc.). One has suggested that a proper way to understand the word “entreat” would be to read it without the “en”; or how someone was treated.

The difference between these two words is apparent by context in almost every occurrence of their usage. However, there is at least one time that one of these words appears that can only be interpreted correctly by knowing the difference between these two words, as shown by their spellings.

In 1 Timothy 5:1 the Bible says, “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren”. The word “intreat” does not mean treat him as a father (entreat)but rather ask or plead with him as a father (intreat). The difference may seem insignificant but Paul is telling Timothy how to speak to his elders and peers not how to treat them.

This is a wonderful truth of specific detail that has been inspired and preserved for us in our King James Bible. The translators gave us two different spellings (meaning both spellings were current at that time) for two similar but different words. This helps us immensely in our study and understanding of the word of God.

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This article was researched and written by Dr. Steve Leathley, pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Byesville, Ohio. Pastor Leathley’s extensive sermon topic archive may be found at www.bbc-kjv.com