Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "plotted" often refers to the schemes and plans devised by individuals or groups, typically with malicious intent. Throughout Scripture, plotting is frequently associated with deceit, betrayal, and opposition to God's will. The Bible provides numerous examples of plots, both against individuals and against God's divine plan.
Old Testament Examples1.
Joseph's Brothers: One of the earliest examples of plotting in the Bible is found in the account of Joseph. His brothers, driven by jealousy, plotted to kill him. Instead, they sold him into slavery.
Genesis 37:18-20 states, "When Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. 'Here comes that dreamer!' they said to one another. 'Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!'"
2.
Haman's Plot Against the Jews: In the Book of Esther, Haman, an official in the Persian Empire, plotted to annihilate the Jewish people.
Esther 3:6 records, "And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, Haman scorned the idea of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all the Jews, Mordecai’s people, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes."
3.
The Conspiracy Against Daniel: Daniel faced a plot against him by jealous officials who sought to have him thrown into the lions' den.
Daniel 6:4-5 notes, "Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Finally these men said, 'We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless it is against the law of his God.'"
New Testament Examples1.
The Plot to Kill Jesus: The most significant plot in the New Testament is the conspiracy to kill Jesus Christ. The religious leaders, feeling threatened by His teachings and popularity, sought to put Him to death.
Matthew 26:3-4 states, "At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him."
2.
Judas' Betrayal: Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, plotted to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver.
Luke 22:3-4 describes, "Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them."
3.
The Plot Against Paul: The Apostle Paul also faced numerous plots against his life. In
Acts 23:12-13 , it is recorded, "When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty of them were involved in this plot."
Theological ImplicationsPlotting, as depicted in the Bible, often serves as a backdrop to demonstrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite human schemes, God's purposes prevail. The accounts of Joseph, Esther, Daniel, and Jesus illustrate that while evil may plot against the righteous, God can use these situations for His greater glory and the fulfillment of His divine plan. As
Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Plot.
Greek
4824. sumboulion -- counsel, by impl. a council... a council NASB Word Usage conferred* (2), conspired* (1), conspiring (1), consultation
(1), consulted* (1), council (1),
plotted together (1), together (2).
...4823. sumbouleuo -- to take counsel together, advise
... Word Origin from sun and bouleuo Definition to take counsel together, advise
NASB Word Usage advise (1), advised (1),plotted together (2)....
Strong's Hebrew
5230. nakal -- to be crafty, deceitful or knavish... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be crafty, deceitful or knavish NASB Word
Usage deal craftily (1), deceived (1),
plotted (1), swindler (1).
...2803. chashab -- to think, account
... 1), have (1), impute (1), intend (2), make (2), makers (1), meant (2), mindful
(1), plan (2), planned (3), planning (5), plans (4),plotted (1), pondered (1...
2161. zamam -- to consider, purpose, devise
... root Definition to consider, purpose, devise NASB Word Usage considers (1), intended
(1), plots (1),plotted (1), purpose (1), purposed (7), schemed (1)....
3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...
... 6), finished (67), finishes (1), fulfill (2), languish (1), languishes (1), longed
(1), make an end (1), over (1), perish (1), perishing (1),plotted (1), put...
Library
Archelaus Procures a Reconciliation Between Alexander Pheroras...
... but now we must take counsel about them both; and if thy paternal affection be so
great, that thou canst not punish thy son, who hathplotted against thee, let...
The Cost of a Lie
... Is it not true that all of you haveplotted against me so that no one tells me that
my son has made an agreement with the son of Jesse, and that none of you...
Invention of the Lyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position of...
... But Corona nevertheless isplotted against, and forcibly drawn away by another beast,
a smaller Dragon, which is the offspring of him who is guarded by the...
John x. 22-24
... doth He merely expend words about it, but also teacheth it by His actions; at one
time buffeted and bearing it, at another reproached andplotted against; yet...
Justin the Philosopher Preaches the Word of Christ in Rome and...
... 3. His words are as follows: [1174] "I, too, [1175] therefore, expect to beplotted
against and put in the stocks [1176] by some one of those whom I have named...
Refutation of the Jews
... Theyplotted evil against Me, saying, 'Come, let us cast wood into His bread, and
wipe Him out from the land of the living." [48] And, again, "They pierced My...
John x. 14, 15
... from us. Now this was not the case with Christ, but even when othersplotted
against Him, He had power not to lay it down. Having...
In Pilate's Judgment Hall
... He did not believe that the prisoner hadplotted against the government....
They had longplotted and waited for this opportunity....
Choked Channels.
... Yonder he sits with the others, listening while his friend Jesus is being discussed
and His removal"by force if need be"is beingplotted. What does he do?...
This is the Chief Passage which those who were Sent from the East...
... What is that you ask. It is this, that those who are guilty should become the judges,
that those whoplotted the accusation should also pronounce the sentence....
Thesaurus
Plotted (21 Occurrences)... (imp. & pp) of Plot. Multi-Version Concordance
Plotted (21 Occurrences).
... (See NAS
NIV). Acts 9:23 At length the Jews
plotted to kill Saul; (WEY NAS RSV).
...Mischief (64 Occurrences)
... mis'-chif: The word, in the sense of "hurt" or "evil" befalling,plotted against,
or done to, anyone, represents a variety of Hebrew terms (eg 'acon, the King...
Plots (20 Occurrences)
Josephus
... Annas, the high priest (62). Accordingly, the Zealots (see ZEALOTS)plotted
against Roman rule. Rebellion simmered, and many of...
Length (135 Occurrences)
... brought him up as her own son. (WEY). Acts 9:23 At length the Jewsplotted
to kill Saul; (WEY). Acts 10:37 the story, I mean, which...
Lazarus (19 Occurrences)
... Him (John 12:9, 11, 17, 18). For that reason the priestsplotted to murder
Lazarus (John 12:10). This is all that we really know...
Ishmael (44 Occurrences)
... (2.) The son of Nethaniah, "of the seed royal" (Jeremiah 40:8, 15). Heplotted
against Gedaliah, and treacherously put him and others to death....
Flavius
... Annas, the high priest (62). Accordingly, the Zealots (see ZEALOTS)plotted
against Roman rule. Rebellion simmered, and many of...
Theodotus
... Maccabees 14:19). (2) One whoplotted to assassinate Ptolemy Philopator,
but was prevented by a Jew, Dositheos (3 Maccabees 1:2)....
Remaliah (13 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 7:5 Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, haveplotted evil
against you, saying, (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)....
Resources
Summary of the Book of Esther - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Lot offer up his daughters to be gang raped? Why did God allow Lot's daughters to later have sex with their father? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Joseph in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgPlotted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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