Understanding εἰσακούω (eisakouō) Strong’s G1522: The Divine Hearing that Leads to Answering Prayer

Pronunciation Guide: eye-sah-KOO-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1522: Εἰσακούω (eisakouō) conveys the profound act of hearing with attentiveness that leads to responsive action. It goes beyond mere auditory perception to include granting a request or answering a petition. When used of God, it signifies His divine attentiveness to prayer that results in His favorable response and intervention in the affairs of His people.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Verb
• Compound of εἰς (eis, “into, toward”) and ἀκούω (akouō, “to hear”)
• Classical Greek origin
• Primarily used in narrative and didactic (teaching) passages
• Appears in both prayer contexts and interpersonal communication

Εἰσακούω Morphology:

• εἰσακούω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I hear and respond
• εἰσακούσω (future active indicative, 1st person singular) – I will hear and respond
• εἰσήκουσα (aorist active indicative, 1st person singular) – I heard and responded
• εἰσακούσῃς (aorist active subjunctive, 2nd person singular) – you might hear and respond
• εἰσηκούσθη (aorist passive indicative, 3rd person singular) – it was heard and responded to

Origin & History

The compound εἰσακούω emerged in classical Greek literature as an intensified form of the common verb ἀκούω (to hear). The prefix εἰς adds directionality and purpose to the hearing, suggesting movement “into” or “toward” what is heard. In Herodotus’ Histories (5th century BCE), the term appears in contexts where rulers “give ear to” petitioners, implying not just hearing but granting their requests.

In the Septuagint (LXX), εἰσακούω became particularly significant in prayer contexts, translating Hebrew terms like שָׁמַע (shama) when it carried the connotation of God’s attentive hearing that leads to action. This usage appears prominently in Psalms where the psalmists cry out to God expecting not just to be heard but to receive a favorable response. By the time of the New Testament, the term had developed rich theological overtones connecting divine hearing with covenant faithfulness and redemptive action.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To hear so as to answer or respond favorably to a request
• To listen attentively with the intent to grant what is asked
• To give ear to someone with understanding and positive response
• To be receptive to a petition and act accordingly
• To hear favorably and comply with what is requested

Εἰσακούω Translation Options:

• “To hear and answer” – Emphasizes the complete process from reception to response
• “To heed” – Captures the attentive nature with implicit action
• “To listen favorably” – Highlights the positive disposition toward the petitioner
• “To grant a hearing” – Reflects the official or formal nature of accepting a petition
• “To respond to” – Focuses on the resulting action rather than initial hearing

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, εἰσακούω appears just 5 times, yet each occurrence carries significant theological weight. Its first appearance in Matthew 6:7 comes in Yeshua’s (Jesus’) teaching on prayer, where He contrasts the genuine communication with God against pagan repetition. The term creates a stark contrast between ineffective pagan prayers and the intimate, covenant relationship believers enjoy with their heavenly Father.

In the Septuagint, εἰσακούω appears extensively, particularly in contexts where God hears the prayers of His people. It often corresponds to divine intervention following human petition, especially in crisis moments. This creates a theological framework of God’s responsiveness to human need based on His covenant promises and compassionate character. The consistent usage across both testaments emphasizes the relational dimension of prayer – not as a mechanical ritual but as communication within a living relationship.

• “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard [εἰσακουσθήσονται] for their many words.” Matthew 6:7
• “I knew that You always hear [εἰσακούεις] Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” John 11:42
• “And that angel, whose name was Raphael, was sent to heal them both: whose prayers at one time were heard [εἰσηκούσθησαν] in the sight of the glory of the most high God.” Tobit 3:25 (Deuterocanonical)
• “Because he has inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call upon him as long as I live. The cords of death encompassed me; the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of יהוה (Yahweh): ‘O יהוה (Yahweh), I beseech You, save my life!’ Gracious is יהוה (Yahweh), and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. יהוה (Yahweh) preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me… For You have rescued [εἰσήκουσεν] my soul from death.” Psalm 116:1-6, 8 (LXX Psalm 114)
• “And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears [εἰσακούει] us.” 1 John 5:14

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, being granted an audience with a ruler or person of authority carried significant implications. The concept of εἰσακούω reflects this cultural reality, where “being heard” meant not merely that one’s words registered acoustically, but that one had received favorable attention from a superior with the power to act. This dynamic illuminates the theological significance of prayer – approaching the divine throne with petitions assumes a relationship that permits such access.

Jewish prayer traditions by the first century CE had developed elaborate systems of fixed prayers and benedictions (the Amidah, Shema, etc.). Against this backdrop, Yeshua’s teaching about εἰσακούω challenged both pagan and formalistic Jewish conceptions of prayer. His emphasis on God as Father (Abba) who εἰσακούει (hears and responds) reflected a radical intimacy possible through covenant relationship, not achieved through technique, repetition, or ritual precision. This relational understanding transformed prayer from a religious obligation into communion with the living God who inclines His ear toward His children.

Theological Significance

Εἰσακούω reveals a profound aspect of God’s character – He is not distant or detached but intimately attentive to His creation. The compound nature of the word (into + hear) suggests God’s active leaning toward humanity, creating a divine posture of attentiveness. This contradicts deistic notions of a Creator who abandons His creation or pantheistic concepts that dissolve divine personality. Instead, εἰσακούω presents a personal God who engages relationally with human prayers and concerns.

The concept reaches its fullest expression in the incarnation, where God’s hearing becomes embodied in Yeshua the Messiah. In John 11:42, Yeshua explicitly states that the Father “always hears” (πάντοτέ μου εἰσακούεις) Him – revealing a perfect communion between Father and Son that becomes the model for believers’ prayer relationship with God. Through the Messiah, believers gain unprecedented access to the Father’s hearing. This transforms prayer from uncertain petitioning to confident communion, grounded not in human worthiness but in covenant relationship established through the Messiah’s redemptive work.

Personal Application

Understanding εἰσακούω should revolutionize our approach to prayer. When we pray, we are not launching words into an indifferent void but speaking to a Father who inclines His ear toward us. This truth should infuse our prayers with confident intimacy rather than anxious repetition. The question shifts from “Is God hearing me?” to “How is God’s hearing changing me?” As we internalize this reality, prayer becomes less about technique and more about relationship.

Consider keeping a “εἰσακούω journal” documenting not just prayer requests but reflections on how God’s attentive hearing is transforming your perspective even before circumstances change. When facing challenging situations, meditate on biblical examples where God’s hearing (εἰσακούω) led to divine intervention, allowing these accounts to build confidence in your own prayer life. The promise is not that God grants every request exactly as we envision, but that genuine connection with Him never leaves us unchanged.

Related Words

• Ἀκούω (akouō, “to hear”) – The root verb from which εἰσακούω derives, referring to the basic act of hearing or listening without the intensified meaning of responding. It denotes perception without necessarily implying action in response. See G191
• Ὑπακούω (hypakouō, “to obey”) – Literally “to hear under,” implying submission to authority. While εἰσακούω focuses on attentive hearing leading to response, ὑπακούω emphasizes the subordinate position of the hearer and their obligation to comply. See G5219
• Παρακούω (parakouō, “to hear incorrectly or disobey”) – Combines ἀκούω with παρά (“beside”), suggesting hearing that misses the mark or deliberately ignores what is heard. It provides a contrast to εἰσακούω’s attentive, responsive hearing. See G3878
• Προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai, “to pray”) – Though not directly related lexically, this term for prayer is conceptually connected to εἰσακούω as the communication that God hears and answers. Their theological relationship illuminates the dialogue nature of prayer. See G4336
• Ἐπακούω (epakouō, “to listen to, to hear with favor”) – A close semantic relative to εἰσακούω with similar connotations of favorable hearing, though less common in the New Testament. See G1873

Did you Know?

• Did you know that ancient Near Eastern prayer practices often involved repetitive incantations and elaborate rituals to capture divine attention? In contrast, the biblical concept of εἰσακούω presents God as already attentively inclined toward His people, requiring relationship rather than technique. This revolutionary understanding transformed prayer from manipulation to communion and continues to distinguish biblical faith from many other religious traditions.
• Did you know that in Jewish mystical tradition, the concept paralleling εἰσακούω appears in teachings about “kavvanah” (כַּוָּנָה) – proper intention or direction of the heart in prayer? Rabbinical discussions emphasized that God’s hearing depended not on many words but on the heart’s genuine direction toward Him. This aspect of Jewish spirituality aligns remarkably with Yeshua’s teaching about prayer in Matthew 6:7, where εἰσακούω appears.
• Did you know that modern Hebrew has preserved this concept in the common phrase “Shema Yisrael” (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל), which begins the central Jewish confession of faith? The imperative “shema” (hear) carries connotations similar to εἰσακούω – not merely acoustic reception but attentive, responsive engagement that leads to action. This linguistic connection bridges ancient biblical languages with contemporary spiritual practice, demonstrating the enduring importance of divine hearing in monotheistic faith.

Remember This

Εἰσακούω reminds us that at the heart of authentic prayer is not human eloquence but divine attentiveness; not our ability to speak impressively but God’s covenant promise to hear compassionately and respond redemptively.