Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "covertly" refers to actions or behaviors that are done in secret or hidden from view, often with the implication of deceit or stealth. The concept of acting covertly is addressed in various passages throughout Scripture, highlighting both the sinful nature of deceitful actions and the wisdom in discerning hidden motives.
Biblical References:1.
Deceptive Actions: The Bible frequently warns against deceit and the covert actions of the wicked. In the Psalms, David often laments the secretive plots of his enemies. For example,
Psalm 64:2-4 states, "Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity, who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear."
2.
God's Omniscience: Despite human attempts to act covertly, Scripture affirms that nothing is hidden from God.
Hebrews 4:13 declares, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." This serves as a reminder that God sees all actions and knows all intentions, regardless of how secretive they may be.
3.
Warnings Against Hypocrisy: Jesus often criticized the Pharisees for their hypocritical behavior, which included covertly plotting against Him. In
Matthew 23:28 , Jesus says, "In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." This highlights the danger of maintaining a facade of righteousness while harboring hidden sin.
4.
The Role of Wisdom: The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and discernment to recognize and avoid covert schemes.
Proverbs 2:11-12 advises, "Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity." Wisdom acts as a safeguard against being ensnared by secretive and deceitful practices.
5.
Righteousness and Integrity: Believers are called to live lives of integrity, avoiding covert actions that lead to sin.
Ephesians 5:11-12 instructs, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." Christians are encouraged to bring hidden sins to light and to walk in the truth.
Theological Implications:The concept of acting covertly is often associated with sin and moral failure in the Bible. It underscores the importance of transparency, honesty, and integrity in the life of a believer. The Scriptures consistently teach that while humans may attempt to hide their actions from others, they cannot hide from God. This serves as both a warning and a comfort, reminding believers of God's justice and His intimate knowledge of their hearts.
In summary, the Bible's treatment of covert actions emphasizes the need for believers to live openly and truthfully, relying on God's wisdom to navigate a world where deceit and hidden motives are prevalent.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) Secretly; in private; insidiously.
Greek
5259. hupo -- by, under... In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior
position or condition, and specially,
covertly or moderately.
...5588. psithuristes -- a whisperer
... properly, a whisperer; a sneaky gossip (a "back-stabber"); a backbiter, quietly
(secretly) destroying another person's character -- iecovertly, not out in the...
5227. hupenantios -- set over against, opposite
... adversary, against. From hupo and enantios; under (covertly) contrary to, ie Opposed
or (as noun) an opponent -- adversary, against. see GREEK hupo....
726. harpazo -- to seize, catch up, snatch away
... 726 -- properly, seize by force; up, suddenly and decisively -- like someone seizing
bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an of force (iecovertly or secretly)....
Strong's Hebrew
4603. maal -- to act unfaithfully or treacherously... A primitive root; properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act
covertly,
ie Treacherously -- transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing). 4602, 4603.
...6049. anan -- to practice soothsaying
... A primitive root; to cover; used only as a denominative from anan, to cloud over;
figuratively, to actcovertly, ie Practise magic -- X bring, enchanter...
3909. lat -- secrecy, mystery
... secret, incantation. A form of la't or else participle from luwt; properly, covered,
ie Secret; by implication, incantation; also secrecy or (adverb)covertly:...
898. bagad -- to act or deal treacherously
... A primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to actcovertly; by
implication, to pillage -- deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend...
2644. chapha -- to do secretly
... do secretly. An orthographical variation of chaphah; properly, to cover, ie (in
a sinister sense) to actcovertly -- do secretly. see HEBREW chaphah....
Library
2 Cor. viii. 7
... Consider, for instance, how even in what follows he iscovertly preparing the
way for this. For having said these things, he added,. Ver.14....
Hebrews ii. 16-17
... (Moreover he did not say, For this one was a servant, but the Other a master, but
hecovertly intimated it.) If... And see how hecovertly shows the superiority....
Acts ii. 22
... For though death laid hold on Him, yet it did not its own work then."And, as regards
the sin, he has spoken of that,covertly and darkly; of the punishment...
Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren.
... In order therefore that this might not take place, the word administered its medicine
to youcovertly.... Hear then how itcovertly indicated to us the time....
The Strife for Precedence.
... supremacy. But these are the more palpable shapes of this desire for Precedence.
It works morecovertly, but with no less energy. I...
Literary Expressions
... A compassion perfectly angelic. A constant stream of rhythmic memories. Acovertly
triumphant voice. A creature of the most delicate and rapid responses....
The Exile Continued.
... But the dastardly deed of blood may becovertly alluded to in the bitterly sarcastic
"hero""as if he had said, "O brave warrior, who dost display thy prowess...
1 Cor. x. 13
... This hecovertly intimates, saying, "will also make the way of escape, that ye may
be able to bear it:" and all things he refers to Him. [2.] Ver.14....
1 Cor. Ix. 24
... to us the times for each of these, both for the perfectness and for the condescension;
he touches them more sharply in what follows,covertly intimating that...
1 Cor. xii. 12
... Wherefore alsocovertly intimating this very thing, he said, "And all the members
of the one body, being many, are one body." And he said not, "the superior...
Thesaurus
Covertly (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) Secretly; in private; insidiously.
Multi-Version Concordance
Covertly (2 Occurrences). Genesis 31
...Covert (18 Occurrences)
Watchers (16 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 17:9 and the sons of Israel docovertly things that 'are' not right against
Jehovah their God, and build for them high places in all their cities, from...
Conducted (14 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:27 Why didst thou flee awaycovertly, and steal away from me, and didst
not tell me, that I might have conducted thee with mirth and with songs...
Coverts (2 Occurrences)
Stab (1 Occurrence)
... 7. (n.) Fig.: An injury inflictedcovertly or suddenly; as, a stab given
to character. Multi-Version Concordance Stab (1 Occurrence)....
Resources
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