Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "plot" often refers to a scheme or plan, typically one that is secretive or deceitful, devised by individuals or groups to achieve a particular end. Throughout the Scriptures, plots are frequently depicted as actions taken by those who oppose God's will or seek to harm His people. These narratives serve as moral and spiritual lessons, illustrating the consequences of human scheming against divine purposes.
Old Testament Examples1.
Joseph's Brothers: One of the earliest examples of a plot in the Bible is the conspiracy of Joseph's brothers. Driven by jealousy, they plotted to kill him but ultimately decided to sell him into slavery.
Genesis 37:18-20 recounts, "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, devised a plot to annihilate the Jewish people.
Esther 3:6 states, "And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, Haman scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, he sought to destroy all the Jews, Mordecai’s people, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes."
3.
The Conspiracy Against Daniel: Daniel faced a plot by jealous officials who sought to eliminate him by manipulating King Darius into signing a decree that would lead to Daniel's punishment.
Daniel 6:4-5 describes, "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 Gospels recount the religious leaders' plot to kill Jesus, motivated by fear of His growing influence and challenge to their authority.
Matthew 26:3-4 notes, "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.
The Plot Against Paul: The Apostle Paul faced numerous plots against his life due to his missionary work and preaching of the Gospel.
Acts 23:12-13 records, "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 ImplicationsPlots in the Bible often highlight the tension between human free will and divine sovereignty. While individuals may devise plans for evil, the overarching narrative of Scripture demonstrates that God's purposes ultimately prevail.
Proverbs 19:21 encapsulates this truth: "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail."
These accounts also serve as a reminder of the moral and ethical standards expected of God's people. Believers are called to trust in God's justice and righteousness, even when faced with opposition and deceit. The accounts of Joseph, Esther, Daniel, and others illustrate the importance of faithfulness and integrity in the face of adversity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot.
2. (n.) A plantation laid out.
3. (n.) A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, etc., drawn to a scale.
4. (v. t.) To make a plot, map, pr plan, of; to mark the position of on a plan; to delineate.
5. (n.) Any scheme, stratagem, secret design, or plan, of a complicated nature, adapted to the accomplishment of some purpose, usually a treacherous and mischievous one; a conspiracy; an intrigue; as, the Rye-house Plot.
6. (n.) A share in such a plot or scheme; a participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
7. (n.) Contrivance; deep reach of thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
8. (n.) A plan; a purpose.
9. (n.) In fiction, the story of a play, novel, romance, or poem, comprising a complication of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
10. (v. i.) To form a scheme of mischief against another, especially against a government or those who administer it; to conspire.
11. (v. i.) To contrive a plan or stratagem; to scheme.
12. (v. t.) To plan; to scheme; to devise; to contrive secretly.
Greek
1748. enedreuo -- to lie in wait for, toplot... to lie in wait for, to
plot. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enedreuo Phonetic
Spelling: (en-ed-ryoo'-o) Short Definition: I lie in wait for, seek to
...4945. sunomosia -- a swearing together, ie a conspiracy
... conspiracy. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sunomosia Phonetic Spelling:
(soon-o-mos-ee'-ah) Short Definition: a conspiracy,plot Definition: a...
1917. epiboule -- a plan against
... a plan against. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epiboule Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-boo-lay') Short Definition: aplot, design against Definition...
1747. enedra -- a lying in wait, an ambush
... in wait, an ambush. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: enedra Phonetic
Spelling: (en-ed'-rah) Short Definition: an ambush,plot, treachery, fraud...
2684. kataskopeo -- to view closely, spy out
... closely, spy out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataskopeo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-as-kop-eh'-o) Short Definition: I spy out,plot against Definition: I...
5564. chorion -- a place, property
... field, land, parcel of ground. Diminutive of chora; a spot orplot of ground --
field, land, parcel of ground, place, possession. see GREEK chora....
4237. prasia -- a garden bed
... Perhaps from prason (a leek, and so an onion-patch); a gardenplot, ie (by implication,
of regular beds) a row (repeated in plural by Hebraism, to indicate an...
2212. zeteo -- to seek
... Of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism)
to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) toplot (against life) -- be (go...
4116. platus -- broad, subst. a street
... a street NASB Word Usage street (4), streets (5), wide (1). wide. From plasso;
spread out "flat" ("plot"), ie Broad -- wide. see GREEK plasso....
4823. sumbouleuo -- to take counsel together, advise
... Word Usage advise (1), advised (1), plotted together (2). deliberate,plot,
advise. From sun and bouleuo; to give (or take) advice...
Strong's Hebrew
2665. chephes -- a device,plot... 2664, 2665. chephes. 2666 . a device,
plot. Transliteration: chephes
Phonetic Spelling: (khay'-fes) Short Definition:
plot. Word
...2161. zamam -- to consider, purpose, devise
... consider, devise, imagine,plot, purpose, think evil. A primitive root; to
plan, usually in a bad sense -- consider, devise, imagine...
4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... thought, device NASB Word Usage design (1), designs (3), devised (1), intentions*
(1), invented (1), inventive (1), plan (2), plans (14),plot (1), plots (1...
2803. chashab -- to think, account
... A primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, ie (literally) to weave
or (gen.) To fabricate; figuratively, toplot or contrive (usually in a...
2513a. chelqah -- a portion (of ground)
... Word Origin from chalaq Definition a portion (of ground) NASB Word Usage field
(5), part (2), piece (2), piece of land (3),plot (4), portion (3), property (4...
2162. zamam -- a plan, device
... Word Origin from zamam Definition a plan, device NASB Word Usage device (1). wicked
device. From zamam; aplot -- wicked device. see HEBREW zamam. 2161, 2162...
1697. dabar -- speech, word
... matters (2), message (18), nothing* (21), oath (1), obligations (1), one of the
promises (1), order (1), parts (1), pertains (2), plan (2),plot (2), portion (3...
4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion, device
... from zamam Definition purpose, discretion, device NASB Word Usage devises evil
(1), discretion (5), evil devices (1), intent (1), plans (1),plot (1), plots (1...
3738. karah -- to dig
... dig, make a banquet, open A primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, toplot;
generally, to bore or open -- dig, X make (a banquet), open. 3737, 3738....
4204. mazor -- perhaps a net
... wound. From zuwr in the sense of turning aside from truth; treachery, ie Aplot --
wound. see HEBREW zuwr. 4203, 4204. mazor. 4205 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
APlot Detected
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END APLOT DETECTED. 'And when it was day, certain
of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under...
An Account of thePlot Formed against the Holy Athanasius.
... The ECCLESIASTICAL HistorY of Theodoret. Book I. Chapter XXV."An account
of theplot formed against the Holy Athanasius. Alexander...
AnotherPlot against Athanasius.
... The ECCLESIASTICAL HistorY of Theodoret. Book I. Chapter XXVI."Another
plot against Athanasius. The calumniators of Athanasius...
Success of thePlot.
... Book X. Chapter LXV."Success of thePlot. Meantime, while Peter was daily,
according to his custom, teaching the people, and working...
ThePlot of the Pharisees.
... THE CRISIS IN CAPERNAUM THEPLOT OF THE PHARISEES. And it came to pass on
a sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught...
Jesus Predicts, the RulersPlot For, and Judas Bargains for his...
... CXVI. Jesus Predicts, the RulersPlot for, and Judas Bargains for His Death.
(Mount of Olives, Bethany, and Jerusalem. Tuesday After Sunset,...
Account of the Bishops Euphratas and vincentius, and of thePlot...
... Book II. Chapter VII."Account of the Bishops Euphratas and Vincentius,
and of theplot formed in Antioch against them. The wonted...
Antipater is Accused Before Varus, and is Convicted of Laying a...
... CHAPTER 32. Antipater Is Accused Before Varus, And Is Convicted Of Laying
APlot [Against His Father] By The Strongest Evidence....
In Jericho and at Bethany - Jericho - a Guest with Zacch??us - the...
... IN JERICHO AND AT BETHANY - JERICHO - A GUEST WITH ZACCH??US - THE HEALING OF BLIND
BARTIM??US - THEPLOT AT JERUSALEM - AT BETHANY, AND IN THE HOUSE OF SIMON...
Of Justina, the Wife of Valentinianus, and of HerPlot against...
... Book V. Chapter XIII."Of Justina, the wife of Valentinianus, and of her
plot against Ambrosius. At this time Justina, [864] wife...
Thesaurus
Plot (53 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden
plot.
... 4. (vt) To make a
plot,
map, pr plan, of; to mark the position of on a plan; to delineate.
...Conspire (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Toplot secretly; as, to conspire to commit murder;
to make an agreement, esp.... 3. (vt) Toplot; to plan; to combine for....
Intrigue (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A complicatedplot or scheme to accomplish a purpose
by secret means. 2. (vi) To carry on a secret and illicit love or amour....
Jizreel (30 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Kings 9:10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in theplot of Jizreel, and
none shall bury her. And he opened the door and fled. (DBY)....
Naboth (18 Occurrences)
... Jezebel, Ahab's wife, was grievously offended at Naboth's refusal to part with his
vineyard. By a crafty and cruelplot she compassed his death....
Plan (58 Occurrences)
... Acts 9:24 but theirplot became known to Saul.... Psalms 64:6 Theyplot injustice, saying,
"We have made a perfect plan!" Surely man's mind and heart are cunning....
Pick (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 9:25 Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, "Pick him up, and throw him in
theplot of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember how, when you...
Yesterday (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 9:26 'Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of
his sons,' says Yahweh;'and I will repay you in thisplot of ground,' says...
Onto (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 9:26 'Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of
his sons,' says Yahweh;'and I will repay you in thisplot of ground,' says...
Jizreelite (7 Occurrences)
... And Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot;
and they went out to meet Jehu, and met him in theplot of Naboth the...
Resources
Was the Apostle Paul actually a false prophet? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about false accusations? | GotQuestions.orgIs the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar biblical? | GotQuestions.orgPlot: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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