Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "betray" refers to the act of being disloyal or treacherous to someone who trusts you. In the biblical context, betrayal often involves a breach of trust or faith, leading to significant consequences. The word derives from the Latin "tradere," meaning "to hand over" or "to deliver."
Biblical Instances of Betrayal:1.
Judas Iscariot's Betrayal of Jesus: Perhaps the most infamous act of betrayal in the Bible is that of Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles, who betrayed Jesus Christ to the religious authorities for thirty pieces of silver. This act of treachery led to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus acknowledges Judas' impending betrayal during the Last Supper: "The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born" (
Matthew 26:24). Judas' betrayal is a profound example of how personal greed and disillusionment can lead to devastating consequences.
2.
Delilah's Betrayal of Samson: In the Book of Judges, Delilah's betrayal of Samson is another significant example. Samson, a judge of Israel, was endowed with immense strength by God. Delilah, bribed by the Philistine rulers, coaxed Samson into revealing the secret of his strength—his uncut hair. "And she made him sleep on her lap, and called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair. In this way she began to subdue him, and his strength left him" (
Judges 16:19). Delilah's betrayal led to Samson's capture and eventual downfall.
3.
Ahithophel's Betrayal of David: Ahithophel, a trusted advisor to King David, betrayed him by siding with Absalom during Absalom's rebellion. This act of treachery is recorded in 2 Samuel: "Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom" (
2 Samuel 16:23). Ahithophel's betrayal highlights the theme of political intrigue and the fragility of human loyalty.
Theological Implications:Betrayal in the Bible often serves as a catalyst for divine intervention and fulfillment of God's plans. Despite the immediate pain and suffering caused by acts of betrayal, they frequently lead to the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes. For instance, Judas' betrayal, while tragic, was instrumental in the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning the Messiah's suffering and ultimate victory over sin and death.
Moral and Ethical Lessons:The biblical narratives of betrayal underscore the importance of faithfulness, loyalty, and integrity. They serve as cautionary tales about the destructive power of deceit and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their commitments to God and others, recognizing that betrayal not only harms relationships but also disrupts the divine order.
Reflection in Christian Life:In the Christian life, betrayal is a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and the need for grace and forgiveness. Christians are called to forgive those who betray them, following the example of Christ, who forgave even as He was betrayed. The Lord's Prayer, which includes the petition "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (
Matthew 6:12), emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in the face of betrayal.
Conclusion:The theme of betrayal in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing personal, political, and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance, faithfulness, and reliance on God's grace in navigating the complexities of human relationships.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly; as, an officer betrayed the city.
2. (v. t.) To prove faithless or treacherous to, as to a trust or one who trusts; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause.
3. (v. t.) To violate the confidence of, by disclosing a secret, or that which one is bound in honor not to make known.
4. (v. t.) To disclose or discover, as something which prudence would conceal; to reveal unintentionally.
5. (v. t.) To mislead; to expose to inconvenience not foreseen to lead into error or sin.
6. (v. t.) To lead astray, as a maiden; to seduce (as under promise of marriage) and then abandon.
7. (v. t.) To show or to indicate; -- said of what is not obvious at first, or would otherwise be concealed.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BETRAYbe-tra' (ramah; paradidomi): In the Old Testament only once (1 Chronicles 12:17). David warns those who had deserted to him from Saul: "If ye be come to betray me to mine adversaries. the God of our fathers look thereon." The same Hebrew word is elsewhere translated "beguile" (Genesis 29:25Joshua 9:22), "deceive" (1 Samuel 19:17;1 Samuel 28:122 Samuel 19:26Proverbs 26:19Lamentations 1:19).
In the New Testament, for paradidomi: 36 times, of the betrayal of Jesus Christ, and only 3 times besides (Matthew 24:10Mark 13:12Luke 21:16) of kinsmen delivering up one another to prosecution. In these three places the Revised Version (British and American) translates according to the more general meaning, "to deliver up," and also (inMatthew 17:22;Matthew 20:18;Matthew 26:16Mark 14:10, 21Luke 22:4, 6) where it refers to the delivering up of Jesus. The Revisers' idea was perhaps to retain "betray" only in direct references to Judas' act, but they have not strictly followed that rule. Judas' act was more than that of giving a person up to the authorities; he did it under circumstances of treachery which modified its character:
(a) he took advantage of his intimate relation with Jesus Christ as a disciple to put Him in the hands of His enemies;
(b) he did it stealthily by night, and
(c) by a kiss, an act which professed affection and friendliness;
(d) he did it for money, and
(e) he knew that Jesus Christ was innocent of any crime (Matthew 27:4).
T. Rees
Greek
3860. paradidomi -- to hand over, to give or deliver over, to...... to hand over, to give or deliver over, to
betray. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
paradidomi Phonetic Spelling: (par-ad-id'-o-mee) Short Definition: I
...4272. prodidomi -- to give before, give first
... before, give first. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prodidomi Phonetic Spelling:
(prod-id'-o-mee) Short Definition: I give before,betray Definition: I...
569. apisteo -- to disbelieve, be faithless
... Cognate: 569 (from 571 , "unfaithful," without faith, ie negating 4103 , "faithful")
-- properly, by God ("betray His trust," J. Thayer)....
Strong's Hebrew
7411. ramah -- to cast, shoot... ramah. 7411a . to cast, shoot. Transliteration: ramah Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-maw') Short Definition: beguile. beguile,
betray, bowman, carry, deceive, throw
...1540. galah -- to uncover, remove
... root Definition to uncover, remove NASB Word Usage away into exile (2), banished
(1),betray (1), captives (1), captivity (1), carried (1), carried and away (1...
7411b. ramah -- to beguile, deal treacherously with
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to beguile, deal treacherously with NASB Word
Usagebetray (1), deceived (6), deceives (1). 7411a, 7411b. ramah. 7412 ....
Library
Petilianus Said: "Did the Apostle Persecute any One? or did Christ...
... Book II. Chapter 10. " 23. Petilianus said: "Did the apostle persecute any one?
or did Christbetray any? "23.... or did Christbetray any one?" 24....
But one Sometimes Comes to a Case of this Kind...
... But one sometimes comes to a case of this kind, that we are not interrogated where
the person is who is sought, nor forced tobetray him, if he is hidden in...
John Chapter xiii. 21
... he says: "When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified, and
said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shallbetray me." Was...
The Sop
... twelve. And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you,
One of you shallbetray Me, even he that eateth with Me....
Judas Exposed.
... For he knew who wouldbetray him; therefore he said, Ye are not all clean." So early,
from the very first, did the thought of Judas and his meditated deed...
Thursday --The Day of Fellowship.
... And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot,
Simon's son, tobetray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all...
Of the Method in which the Four Evangelists are Shown to be at one...
... presents it thus: "When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified,
and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, That one of you shallbetray me...
John Chapter xiii. 5-Jan
... 3. "And the supper," he says, "having taken place, [1129] and the devil having now
put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, tobetray Him, [Jesus...
Despised and Rejected by Friend and Foe
... And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, tobetray him
unto them.... And he sought how he might convenientlybetray him....
John Chapter xiii. 21-26.
... 2. "Jesus," therefore, "was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said: Verily,
verily, I say unto you, that one of you shallbetray me." "One of you," in...
Thesaurus
Betray (29 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To prove faithless or treacherous to, as to a trust or one who trusts; to
be false to; to deceive; as, to
betray a person or a cause.
...BETRAY.
...Bewray (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary To reveal or disclose; an old English word equivalent
to "betray" (Proverbs 27:16; 29:24, RV, "uttereth;Isaiah 16:3; Matthew 26:73)....
Iscariot (11 Occurrences)
... Then follows John's commentary, "Now he spake of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot,
for he it was that shouldbetray him, being one of the twelve" (John 6:71...
Judas (42 Occurrences)
... Why such a man was chosen to be an apostle we know not, but it is written that
"Jesus knew from the beginning who shouldbetray him" (John 6:64)....
Killed (352 Occurrences)
... Mark 13:12 "Brother willbetray brother to be killed, and fathers willbetray children;
and children will rise against their parents and have them put to death...
Opportunity (35 Occurrences)
... Opportunity (35 Occurrences). Matthew 26:16 From that time he sought opportunity
tobetray him.... So he looked out for an opportunity tobetray Him. (WEY RSV NIV)....
Later (89 Occurrences)
... John 6:71 Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he
who wouldbetray him, being one of the twelve. (See NIV)....
Fathers (572 Occurrences)
... Mark 13:12 "Brother willbetray brother to be killed, and fathers willbetray children;
and children will rise against their parents and have them put to death...
Eating (151 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:21 As they were eating, he said, "Most certainly I tell you that
one of you willbetray me." (WEB ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Betrayal (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Betrayal (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 33:1 Woe to you who destroy,
but you weren't destroyed; and whobetray, but nobody betrayed you!...
Resources
Why did Judas betray Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Judas Iscariot? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Delilah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBetray: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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