Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "plotters" refers to individuals or groups who devise schemes or plans, often with malicious intent, against others. The Bible provides numerous examples of plotters, highlighting their actions, motivations, and the consequences of their schemes. These narratives serve as moral and spiritual lessons, warning against deceit and treachery while emphasizing God's justice and sovereignty.
Old Testament Examples1.
Joseph's Brothers: One of the earliest examples of plotters in the Bible is found in the account of Joseph and his brothers. Motivated by jealousy, Joseph's brothers conspired to kill him but ultimately decided to sell him into slavery.
Genesis 37:18-20 states, "Now 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, a high-ranking official in the Persian Empire, plotted to annihilate the Jewish people. His scheme was driven by personal vendetta against Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow to him.
Esther 3:6 records, "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 kingdom of Xerxes."
3.
The Conspiracy Against Daniel: Daniel, a faithful servant of God, 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 downfall.
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 Pharisees and Sadducees Against Jesus: The religious leaders of Jesus' time frequently plotted against Him, seeking to undermine His ministry and ultimately bring about His death.
Matthew 12:14 notes, "But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus."
2.
Judas Iscariot's Betrayal: Judas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, plotted to betray Him to the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver. This act of treachery is recorded in
Matthew 26:14-16 : "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."
3.
The Plot Against Paul: The Apostle Paul faced numerous plots against his life as he spread the Gospel. In
Acts 23:12-13 , a group of Jews conspired to kill him: "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."
Moral and Spiritual LessonsThe Bible's accounts of plotters serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of deceit, jealousy, and malice. They illustrate the destructive nature of sin and the futility of opposing God's will. Despite the schemes of plotters, God's providence and justice prevail, as seen in the deliverance of Joseph, the Jews in Esther's time, Daniel, and the ultimate triumph of Jesus through His resurrection. These accounts encourage believers to trust in God's protection and righteousness, even in the face of human treachery.
Library
The Traitors
... The speaker paused again. Seti's breast labored and his gaze was fixed upon the
Hebrew. "The ire of Jambres was kindled against theplotters, and he called an...
On Bk. viii. Chap. 2, 4 (Note 3, Continued). The Causes of the...
... Finally, sufficient proof was gathered to convince even Diocletian that there was
some sort of a plot on foot, and that theplotters were Christians....
The Cruelty of the Sacrifices to the Gods.
... But though you perceive and understand demons to be deadly and wicked,plotters,
haters of the human race, and destroyers, why do you not turn out of their way...
In Travel-Worn Garb Vergilius Went Early to See the King. ...
... them. "O Salome, daughter of Herod," said one, "the king would have you come
to-morrow. He is in ill humor with theplotters.". "And...
The Real Jewish Ruler.
... Theseplotters have been so absorbed in getting Jesus actually into their power
that they seem to have over-looked the details of making out a strong case...
'The Rulers Take Counsel Together'
... picture we have here of the ferocity of the hatred, which turned the very fountains
of justice and guardians of a nation into lyingplotters against innocence...
The History of the Spurious Alexander. Archelaus is Banished and...
... Aristobulus, he said that he was also preserved alive, and was left on purpose in
Cyprus, for fear of treachery, because it would be harder forplotters to get...
Nero Adds Four Cities to Agrippas Kingdom; but the Other Parts of...
... themselves, they were slain. Such was the celerity of theplotters against
them, and so cunning was their contrivance. 4. There was...
How the Sedition was Again Revived Within Jerusalem and yet the...
... out of their own private enmity and hatred, as if they were opposite to the seditious;
and all those that had formerly offended any of theseplotters were now...
John xiv. 31; xv. 1
... Or perhaps He feared lest he should come and seize them, and lest theplotters should
be upon him before he had furnished his most excellent teaching." Away...
Thesaurus
Plotters (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Plotters (1 Occurrence). Psalms 59:5 Yea, do
thou, Jehovah, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise
...Plotted (21 Occurrences)
Plotteth (1 Occurrence)
Zimri (16 Occurrences)
... record of the deeds of violence that ushered in the change of dynasties in the Northern
Kingdom, for the foul crime was abhorred even among archplotters....
Plot (53 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Psalms 59:5 Yea, do thou, Jehovah, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise
to visit all the nations: be not gracious to anyplotters of iniquity....
Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... He did not escape the suspicion of Sargon (died 705), who for his Egyptian leanings
counted him among the "plotters of sedition" (compare COT, 100); while the...
Cyrus (20 Occurrences)
... of the land seem to have been closed, possibly to prevent the followers of Nabonidus
from taking sanctuary there, or else to preventplotters from coming forth...
Gracious (106 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS). Psalms 59:5 Yea, do thou, Jehovah, the God of hosts, the God of Israel,
arise to visit all the nations: be not gracious to anyplotters of iniquity....
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