Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextTo conspire is to secretly plan with others to commit an unlawful or harmful act. In the biblical context, conspiracy often involves plotting against individuals, leaders, or even God’s plans. The Bible provides several instances where conspiracy is depicted as a manifestation of human sinfulness and rebellion against divine authority.
Old Testament ReferencesConspiracy is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often associated with political intrigue and rebellion. One notable example is the conspiracy against King David by his son Absalom. Absalom's rebellion is described in
2 Samuel 15:12-13: "While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his city of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing."
Another significant instance is the conspiracy against King Joash, as recorded in
2 Kings 12:20: "His servants conspired against him and killed Joash at Beth-millo, on the road that goes down to Silla." This act of treachery highlights the instability and danger that often accompanied the reigns of Israelite and Judean kings.
The prophet Jeremiah also faced conspiracies during his ministry. In
Jeremiah 11:9, the Lord reveals to him, "A conspiracy exists among the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem." This conspiracy was against God’s covenant, illustrating the spiritual rebellion of the people.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, conspiracy is evident in the plot against Jesus Christ. The religious leaders conspired to arrest and kill Him, as seen in
Matthew 26:3-4: "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."
The Apostle Paul also encountered conspiracies during his ministry. In
Acts 23:12-13, a group of Jews formed a plot against him: "The next morning 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 ImplicationsConspiracy in the Bible often reflects the broader theme of human opposition to God’s will. It underscores the reality of sin and the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their own ends, often in defiance of divine authority. Despite human schemes, the Bible consistently demonstrates that God’s purposes ultimately prevail, as seen in the thwarting of conspiracies against His chosen leaders and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan through Christ.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsFrom a moral standpoint, the Bible condemns conspiracy as an act of deceit and betrayal. It is a violation of trust and an affront to justice and righteousness. Believers are called to live in truth and integrity, avoiding the snares of conspiratorial thinking and actions.
Proverbs 3:29 advises, "Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully beside you."
In summary, the biblical portrayal of conspiracy serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of secretive and malicious plotting. It calls believers to trust in God’s sovereignty and to pursue righteousness in all their dealings.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To plot secretly; as, to conspire to commit murder; to make an agreement, esp. a secret agreement, to do some act, as to commit treason or a crime, or to do some unlawful deed; to plot together.
2. (v. i.) To concur to one end; to agree.
3. (v. t.) To plot; to plan; to combine for.
Strong's Hebrew
7194. qashar -- to bind, league together,conspire... qashar. 7195 . to bind, league together,
conspire. Transliteration: qashar Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-shar') Short Definition: conspired. Word Origin a prim.
...5230. nakal -- to be crafty, deceitful or knavish
... beguile,conspire, deceiver, deal subtilly. A prim root; to defraud, ie Act
treacherously -- beguile,conspire, deceiver, deal subtilly. 5229, 5230....
3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... root Definition to advise, counsel NASB Word Usage advise (1), advisers (1),conspire
(1), conspired (1), consult (2), consulted (8), counsel (4), counsel do...
Library
(Of those whoConspire against Bishops, or who Take Part with Such...
... The Second Epistle. I. (Of those whoconspire against bishops, or who take
part with such.). Now we have heard that the crime of...
On the Contrary, they Deserve the Name of Faction whoConspire to...
... Chapter XL. On the contrary, they deserve the name of faction whoconspire
to bring odium on? On the contrary, they deserve the...
The Vagaries of Basilides and Valentinus as to Fear Being the...
... And if the fear of the pre-existent man made the angelsconspire against their own
handiwork, under the idea that an invisible germ of the supernal essence was...
Observe Also the Superficiality and Manifest Falsity of Such a...
... the superficiality and manifest falsity of such a statement of Celsus, when he asserts
"that he who was partaker of a man's table would notconspire against him...
Appendix (A).
... The advocates of the popular Theory ask,"But why should the four oldest MSS., together
with the Latin and the Gothic Versions,conspire in reading eudokias...
"That which we have Heard and Seen of the Word of Life, Declare we...
... were, men of great simplicity, whose education was so mean, and expectations in
the world so low that they could not be supposed toconspire together to a...
Appendix (A). On the Importance of Attending to Patristic...
... The advocates of the popular Theory ask,"But why should the four oldest MSS., together
with the Latin and the Gothic Versions,conspire in reading {GREEK...
Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These...
... is throughout, they yet, strange to say,conspire every here and there in exhibiting
minute corruptions of such an unique and peculiar kind as to betray a...
Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
...conspire in omitting them.... Both MSS.conspire in exhibiting Matthew
15:8, as follows:"ho lao`s houtos tois chei'lesi'n me tima....
Apology
... Christian society? Chapter XL. On the contrary, they deserve the name of
faction whoconspire to bring odium on? Chapter XLI. You...
Thesaurus
Conspire (18 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To plot secretly; as, to
conspire to commit
murder; to make an agreement, esp.
...Conspire (18 Occurrences).
...Plot (53 Occurrences)
... 10. (vi) To form a scheme of mischief against another, especially against
a government or those who administer it; toconspire. 11....
Conspired (32 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofConspire. Multi-Version Concordance
Conspired (32 Occurrences). Matthew 12:14 But the Pharisees...
Lurk (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lurk (5 Occurrences). Psalms 56:6 Theyconspire and lurk,
watching my steps, they are eager to take my life. (WEB NAS RSV NIV)....
Is'sachar (40 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 15:27 Andconspire against him doth Baasha son of Ahijah, of the house of
Issachar, and Baasha smiteth him in Gibbethon, which 'is' to the Philistines...
Injury (21 Occurrences)
... DBY). Nehemiah 4:8 and theyconspire, all of them together, to come in
to fight against Jerusalem, and to do to it injury. (YLT)....
Drunkard (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:9 andconspire against him doth his servant Zimri (head of the half of
the chariots) and he 'is' in Tirzah drinking -- a drunkard in the house of...
Dictates (1 Occurrence)
... The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil
desire of his soul. Thus theyconspire together. (WEB)....
Draweth (52 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Genesis 37:18 And they see him from afar, even before he draweth near unto
them, and theyconspire against him to put him to death. (YLT)....
Demands (12 Occurrences)
... The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil
desire of his soul. Thus theyconspire together. (See NIV)....
Resources
What is a Gentile? | GotQuestions.orgWhich psalms predict the coming of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about predetermination? | GotQuestions.orgConspire: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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