Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the word "device" often refers to a plan, scheme, or invention, typically with a connotation of human ingenuity or cunning. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of human intention and creativity.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as "device" is "מַחֲשָׁבָה" (machashabah), which can mean thought, plan, or invention. This term is often used to describe the plans of both God and humans. For instance, in
Job 5:12, it is written, "He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success." Here, "schemes" is synonymous with devices, indicating human plans that are often in opposition to God's will.
Proverbs frequently addresses the concept of devices, particularly in the context of wisdom and folly.
Proverbs 19:21 states, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This verse underscores the sovereignty of God over human devices, suggesting that while humans may devise many plans, it is ultimately God's purpose that stands.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word "ἐπιβουλή" (epiboulē) is sometimes translated as "device," particularly in the context of plots or schemes. For example, in
Acts 9:24, it is noted, "But Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him." Here, the term refers to a malicious plan against Saul (Paul), highlighting the negative connotation of human devices when used for evil purposes.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe Bible often contrasts human devices with divine wisdom, emphasizing the limitations and potential folly of relying solely on human understanding. In
Isaiah 29:15, the prophet warns, "Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, 'Who sees us? Who will know?'" This passage illustrates the futility of devising plans that are contrary to God's will, as nothing is hidden from Him.
Conversely, when human devices align with divine wisdom, they can be instruments of good. The construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple involved human creativity and craftsmanship, yet these endeavors were guided by divine instruction, demonstrating how human devices can serve God's purposes when submitted to His guidance.
Theological SignificanceTheologically, the concept of devices in the Bible serves as a reminder of the tension between human free will and divine sovereignty. While humans are capable of devising plans, the ultimate outcome is determined by God's will. This underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance and aligning one's plans with God's purposes.
In summary, the biblical concept of "device" encompasses the spectrum of human planning and ingenuity, with a strong emphasis on the need for alignment with God's will. Whether in the context of individual lives or broader historical events, the Bible consistently teaches that while human devices may be many, it is the counsel of the Lord that ultimately prevails.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance; an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice.
2. (n.) Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
3. (n.) An emblematic design, generally consisting of one or more figures with a motto, used apart from heraldic bearings to denote the historical situation, the ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See Cognizance.
4. (n.) Improperly, an heraldic bearing.
5. (n.) Anything fancifully conceived.
6. (n.) A spectacle or show.
7. (n.) Opinion; decision.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DEVICEde-vis': "A scheme," "invention," "plot." In the Old Testament it stands for six Hebrew words, of which the most common is machashebheth (from chashabh, "to think," "contrive"). In the New Testament it occurs only twice, once for Greek enthumesis (Acts 17:29), and once for noema (2 Corinthians 2:11). Sometimes the word means simply that which is planned or invented, without any evil implication, as in2 Chronicles 2:14Acts 17:29 (of artistic work or invention), andEcclesiastes 9:10 (in the general sense of reasoning or contriving). But more frequently it is used in an evil sense, of a wicked purpose or plot, "Let us devise devices against Jeremiah" (Jeremiah 18:18); "For we are not ignorant of his (i.e. Satan's) devices" (2 Corinthians 2:11), etc.
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
3540. noema -- thought, purpose...device, mind, thought. From noieo; a perception, ie Purpose, or (by implication)
the intellect, disposition, itself --
device, mind, thought. see GREEK noieo.
...3053. logismos -- a reasoning, a thought
... Masculine Transliteration: logismos Phonetic Spelling: (log-is-mos') Short Definition:
reasoning, thinking Definition: reasoning, thinking; a conception,device...
3803. pagis -- a trap, snare
... Phonetic Spelling: (pag-ece') Short Definition: a snare, trap Definition: a snare,
trap (especially for catching birds) hence, met: stratagem,device, wile....
1761. enthumesis -- deliberation, pondering, pl. thoughts
... thoughts NASB Word Usage thought (1), thoughts (3). deliberation, thought. From
enthumeomai; deliberation --device, thought. see GREEK enthumeomai....
Strong's Hebrew
2162. zamam -- a plan,device... 2161, 2162. zamam. 2163 . a plan,
device. Transliteration: zamam Phonetic
Spelling: (zaw-mawm') Short Definition:
device. Word Origin
...4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion,device
... 4208, 4209. mezimmah. 4210 . purpose, discretion,device. Transliteration:
mezimmah Phonetic Spelling: (mez-im-maw') Short Definition: discretion....
2154. zimmah -- a plan,device, wickedness
... a plan,device, wickedness. Transliteration: zimmah Phonetic Spelling: (zim-maw')
Short Definition: lewdness.... heinous crime, lewdly mischief, wickeddevice....
4156. moetsah -- counsel, plan, principle,device
... moetsah. 4157 . counsel, plan, principle,device. Transliteration: moetsah Phonetic
Spelling: (mo-ay-tsaw') Short Definition: devices.... counsel,device....
4284. machashabah -- thought,device
... 4285 . thought,device. Transliteration: machashabah or machashebeth Phonetic
Spelling: (makh-ash-aw-baw') Short Definition: thoughts....
2665. chephes -- adevice, plot
... 2664, 2665. chephes. 2666 . adevice, plot. Transliteration: chephes
Phonetic Spelling: (khay'-fes) Short Definition: plot. Word...
2810. chishshabon --device, invention
... 2809, 2810. chishshabon. 2811 .device, invention. Transliteration: chishshabon
Phonetic Spelling: (khish-shaw-bone') Short Definition: devices....
1902. higgayon -- resounding music, meditation, musing
... 1), whispering (1).device, Higgaion, meditation, solemn sound. Intensive from
hagah; a murmuring sound, ie A musical notation (probably...
2808. cheshbon -- a reckoning, account
... account,device, reason. From chashab; properly, contrivance; by implication,
intelligence -- account,device, reason. see HEBREW chashab. 2807, 2808....
Library
And Then that FurtherDevice of Theirs, if Words Can Express It...
... Section 40. And then that furtherdevice of theirs, if words can express
it? 40. And then that furtherdevice of theirs, (if words...
Of theDevice of a Certain Old Man by which Some Work was Found...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XXXIX. Of thedevice of a certain old man by which some
work was found for Abbot Simeon when he had nothing to do....
Of Two Ghostly Devices that be Helpful to a Ghostly Beginner in...
... I trow that an thisdevice be well and truly conceived, it is nought else but a
longing desire unto God, to feel Him and see Him as it may be here: and such a...
The Kingdom Foreshadowed
... OUTLINE FOR STUDY OF HISTORICAL BOOKS. 1. PictorialDevice.... In recording the work
in the blank book the first page is to be given to the pictorialdevice....
A Home Mission Sermon
... CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth
to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nordevice, nor knowledge...
The Kingdom Forming
... EXODUS. I. PictorialDevice. Originate one, or omit. II. III.... LEVITICUS. I. Pictorial
Device. A full-page outline plan of the Tabernacle and Tabernacle court....
But, if it Does not Weary You, Let the Point Out as Briefly as...
... This also the word of prophecy had foretold by Isaiah, saying, "Woe unto their soul,
who have devised a most evildevice against themselves, saying, Let us...
The Lapse of Time.
... SERMON I. The Lapse of Time. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy
might; for there is no work, nordevice, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave...
Introduction
... Peter as the representative of the primitive, orthodox faith. The literary
device was recognized in these days. It was a development...
The Kingdom Conquering
... Ruth Page. JOSHUA. I. PictorialDevice: Map. Draw map of Palestine, locating the
tribes.... Chapters 2, 10, 22. JUDGES. PictorialDevice. Originate one, or omit. II...
Thesaurus
Device (17 Occurrences)... 7. (n.) Opinion; decision. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DEVICE.
... D. Miall
Edwards. Multi-Version Concordance
Device (17 Occurrences).
...Devise (41 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.)Device. SeeDevice.... Psalms 21:11 For they stretched out against Thee evil,
They devised a wickeddevice, they prevail not, (Root in YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Devised (35 Occurrences)
... spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with
tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and hisdevice that he had...
Scheme (10 Occurrences)
... spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with
tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and hisdevice that he...
Union (24 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Adevice emblematic of union, used on a national flag or ensign, sometimes,
as in the military standard of Great Britain, covering the whole field...
Graving (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:29 Being, therefore, offspring of God, we ought not to think the Godhead
to be like to gold, or silver, or stone, graving of art anddevice of man; (YLT...
Purchase (25 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To apply to (anything) adevice for obtaining a mechanical advantage; to
get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to; as, to purchase a cannon....
Banner (20 Occurrences)
... smaller form. Probably it bore on it the name of the tribe to which it belonged,
or some distinguishingdevice (Numbers 2:2, 34). (3...
Curious (18 Occurrences)
... ku'-ri-us (machashebheth; periergos): The above Hebrew word, meaning "thought,"
"device," "design," is translated "curious," Exodus 35:32 the King James...
Stylus (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The needle-likedevice used to cut the grooves which record the sound
on the original disc during recording of a phonograph record....
Resources
GotQuestions.org Mobile Device Apps | GotQuestions.orgWhat is wrong with the allegorical interpretation method? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about zombies? | GotQuestions.orgDevice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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