Topical Encyclopedia
The term "stealthily" refers to actions performed in a secretive or surreptitious manner, often with the intent to avoid detection. In the context of the Bible, stealthy actions are frequently associated with deceit, cunning, and sometimes with divine strategy. The concept of acting stealthily can be seen in various narratives throughout the Scriptures, where individuals or groups employ secrecy to achieve their goals, whether for righteous or unrighteous purposes.
Old Testament Instances1.
Jacob and Esau: One of the earliest examples of stealthy behavior is found in the account of Jacob and Esau. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. This act of deception is carried out with careful planning and stealth.
Genesis 27:35 records Isaac's realization: "But he replied, 'Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.'"
2.
The Spies in Jericho: In the book of Joshua, the Israelite spies sent to Jericho act stealthily to gather intelligence about the city. Rahab, the harlot, hides the spies on her roof, protecting them from the king's men.
Joshua 2:4 states, "But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them." This stealthy act ultimately contributes to the Israelites' victory over Jericho.
3.
David and Saul: David's stealthy actions are evident when he spares King Saul's life. In
1 Samuel 24, David secretly cuts off a corner of Saul's robe while he is in a cave, demonstrating his ability to act with discretion and mercy.
1 Samuel 24:4 recounts, "Then David crept up stealthily and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe."
New Testament Instances1.
The Betrayal of Jesus: Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus is a prime example of stealthy behavior with malevolent intent. Judas conspires with the chief priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Matthew 26:16 notes, "So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."
2.
Paul's Escape from Damascus: In
Acts 9, the apostle Paul escapes from Damascus with the help of his disciples, who lower him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. This stealthy escape is a strategic move to avoid the plots of those who sought to kill him.
Acts 9:25 describes, "One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall."
Theological ImplicationsStealthy actions in the Bible often highlight the tension between human cunning and divine providence. While some stealthy acts are condemned as deceitful and unrighteous, others are portrayed as necessary strategies within God's sovereign plan. The Bible presents a nuanced view of stealth, recognizing both its potential for sin and its role in the unfolding of divine purposes.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsFrom a moral and ethical standpoint, the Bible encourages believers to act with integrity and honesty. Stealthy actions that involve deceit and betrayal are generally condemned, as seen in the negative portrayal of Judas Iscariot. However, when stealth is used to protect life or fulfill God's commands, as in the case of Rahab or David, it is viewed more favorably. Believers are called to discern the motives and outcomes of their actions, ensuring they align with God's righteousness and truth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a stealthy manner.
Greek
5260. hupoballo -- to throw or put under... secretly instigate, suborn. From hupo and ballo; to throw in
stealthily, ie Introduce
by collusion -- suborn. see GREEK hupo. see GREEK ballo.
...3921. pareisduo -- to settle in alongside
... creep in unawares. From para and a compound of eis and duno; to settle in alongside,
ie Lodgestealthily -- creep in unawares. see GREEK para. see GREEK eis....
Strong's Hebrew
7520. ratsad -- to watch (stealthily)... 7519, 7520. ratsad. 7521 . to watch (
stealthily). Transliteration: ratsad Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-tsad') Short Definition: envy. Word Origin a prim.
...1589. ganab -- to steal
... root Definition to steal NASB Word Usage actually stolen (1), brought to mestealthily
(1), carries away (1), deceive (1), deceived (1), deceiving (1), fact...
6845. tsaphan -- to hide, treasure up
... 2), hid (1), hidden (1), hide (2), keep them secretly (1), kept (1), lurk (1), restrain
her restrains (1), saved (1), secret place (1),stealthily watch (1...
Library
The Christians Defamed a Sarcastic Description of Fame; Its...
... account). Our domestic servants (perhaps) listened, and peeped through crevices
and holes, andstealthily got information of our ways....
The Law Anterior to Moses.
... 1145] by falling [1146] from immortality, by contravening God's precept; from theft
also they would have abstained, if they had notstealthily tasted of the...
Betrayed by a Kiss.
... Conspicuous among the watch were Malchus, the high priest's servant, and Balbus.
They approachedstealthily, and Judas addressed them, saying, "Now be careful!...
Visitors and Pastimes
... This hestealthily brought to his sister's new home, confiding his secret to no
one except John; and by generous promises he persuaded John to say nothing...
Why Christ must Depart
... Suddenly a shadow falls over this scene. A sinister figure risesstealthily,
takes the bag, and makes for the door unobserved. Jesus...
Of the Apostle's Language Concerning Food.
... which He has not chosen: "for in the days," he says, "of your fasts your own wills
are found (indulged), and all who are subject to you yestealthily sting; or...
Chastisements.
... false friend hurries from the bedside to talk of his hopeless illness""he goeth
abroad, he telleth it." The tidings spread, and arestealthily passed from...
Jeroboam
... At the same time he won influence with the tribe, by expressing secret sympathy
with his fellow-tribesmen, and hestealthily fostered their discontent until...
By the Wayside
... He turned to look up at the faint column of illumination in the little
copse of cedars and presently,stealthily, went that way....
Treatise x. On Jealousy and Envy.
... and charged us to watch with careful solicitude, lest the adversary, who is always
on the watch and always lying in wait, should creepstealthily into our...
Thesaurus
Stealthily (4 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a stealthy manner. Multi-Version
Concordance
Stealthily (4 Occurrences). Luke 17:20 Being asked
...Jael (6 Occurrences)
... which fastened down the cords of the tent, and in her right hand the mallet, or
"hammer," used for driving it into the ground, andstealthily approaching her...
Teraphim (14 Occurrences)
... the house of David. Probably they had beenstealthily brought by Michal
from her father's house. "Perhaps," says Bishop Wordsworth...
Prowling (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Prowl. 2. (a.) Accustomed to prowl, or engaged in roving
stealthily, as for prey. Multi-Version Concordance Prowling (3 Occurrences)....
Prowl (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To collect by plunder; as, to prowl money. 3. (vi) To rove or wanderstealthily,
esp. for prey, as a wild beast; hence, to prey; to plunder....
Betray (29 Occurrences)
... 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 itstealthily by night, and (c...
Stealth (3 Occurrences)
Sisera (18 Occurrences)
... While he lay asleep Jael creptstealthily up to him, and taking in her hand one
of the tent pegs, with a mallet she drove it with such force through his...
Stedfast (84 Occurrences)
Watch (203 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God was coming, He answered,
"The Kingdom of God does not so come that you canstealthily watch for...
Resources
Who was Absalom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the good Shepherd?” | GotQuestions.orgStealthily: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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