Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the theme of being tricked or deceived appears in various contexts, often highlighting human fallibility, the consequences of sin, and the sovereignty of God. The Bible provides numerous accounts where individuals are deceived, leading to significant outcomes in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
Old Testament Examples1.
Jacob and Esau: One of the most notable instances of trickery in the Old Testament involves Jacob and Esau. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau, the firstborn.
Genesis 27:35 records Isaac's realization: "But he replied, 'Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.'" This act of deception sets off a chain of events that affects the future of the Israelite nation.
2.
Laban and Jacob: Jacob himself becomes a victim of trickery when his uncle Laban deceives him into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, whom he loved.
Genesis 29:25 states, "So in the morning, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, 'What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?'" This incident illustrates the principle of reaping what one sows and serves as a turning point in Jacob's life.
3.
The Gibeonites: In
Joshua 9, the Gibeonites trick the Israelites into making a peace treaty by pretending to be from a distant land.
Joshua 9:14-15 notes, "Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD. And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them." This deception leads to the Gibeonites becoming servants to the Israelites, demonstrating the importance of seeking God's guidance.
New Testament Examples1.
Ananias and Sapphira: In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira attempt to deceive the apostles by withholding part of the proceeds from the sale of their property while claiming to donate the entire amount.
Acts 5:3 records Peter's confrontation: "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?'" Their deceit results in their immediate deaths, serving as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of the church.
2.
False Prophets and Teachers: The New Testament warns believers about false prophets and teachers who seek to deceive the faithful. Jesus cautions in
Matthew 24:24 , "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible." The epistles further admonish Christians to remain vigilant and grounded in the truth to avoid being led astray.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical accounts of trickery underscore the pervasive nature of sin and the human propensity to deceive and be deceived. They also highlight the necessity of discernment and reliance on God's wisdom. While human deception can lead to temporary setbacks, God's ultimate purposes prevail, demonstrating His sovereignty and faithfulness. The Bible encourages believers to walk in truth and integrity, reflecting the character of Christ in a world prone to deception.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Trick.
Greek
1702. empaizo -- to mock at... Word Origin from en and paizo Definition to mock at NASB Word Usage mock (2),
mocked (5), mocking (4), ridicule (1),
tricked (1). mock.
...Library
Of Elaborate Dressing of the Hair in Other Ways, and Its Bearing...
... see whether you will rise with (your) ceruse and rouge and saffron, and in all that
parade of headgear: [201] whether it will be women thustricked out whom...
The Son of the Murket
... It was ivorytricked with gold; but small and young as the fan-bearer's daughter
was, there was none in that assembly who might queen it as royally as she from...
Job.
... For an indirectness and a slipperiness attaches to the whole book, even in the Hebrew;
and, as orators say in Greek, it [5401] istricked out with figures of...
Admitting that all These Things which do the Immortal Gods...
... adduce only one of these stories which are so numerous; that in which Jupiter himself
is brought on the stage as stupid and inconsiderate, beingtricked by the...
Of Theophilus, Bishop of Alexandria, and what Happened at the...
... Then coming up from their secret chambers they got inside the statues, and through
them gave any order they liked and the hearers,tricked and cheated, obeyed....
Of Other Confessors.
... They rose from the banquet, and ran through the Forum exclaiming that they were
Christians, that they had beentricked by the emperor's contrivances, that they...
Of the Reign of Julianus; How from a Child He was Brought
... sort, good sir;" said the magician, "they were not afraid as you make out, but they
went away because they abominated what you did." So hetricked the wretched...
Synodical Act of Damasus, Bishop of Rome, and of the Western...
... And this is the more significant, since, as has been already said, the very men
who seemed to betricked into surrender, themselves, in their wiser moments...
Wrong Derivation of the Word Theos the Name Indicative of the True...
... afforded to us, notwithstanding the strong confidence of its assertions, by the
useless affectation of a scrupulous curiosity, [846] which istricked out with...
The Return of Kallias
... He first intrigued and bribed to get Constantius banished, and thentricked the
Christians by going to the church with a handful of bishops and people when the...
Thesaurus
Tricked (25 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Tricked (25 Occurrences).
... (BBE NAS RSV). Matthew 24:4 And
Jesus said to them in answer, Take care that you are not
tricked. (BBE).
...Deceit (160 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I have a fear, that in some way, as Eve wastricked by the
deceit of the snake, your minds may be turned away from their simple and holy...
Snake (43 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I have a fear, that in some way, as Eve wastricked by the
deceit of the snake, your minds may be turned away from their simple and holy...
Trick (11 Occurrences)
False (303 Occurrences)
... NAS NIV). 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not betricked by false words: evil company
does damage to good behaviour. (Root in BBE). 2 Corinthians...
Zo'an (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 19:13 The chiefs of Zoan have become foolish, the chiefs of Noph aretricked,
the heads of her tribes are the cause of Egypt's wandering out of the way....
Lets (31 Occurrences)
... James 1:26 If a man seems to have religion and has no control over his tongue but
lets himself betricked by what is false, this man's religion is of no value....
Got (764 Occurrences)
... Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had beentricked by the wise men, was
very angry; and he sent out, and put to death all the male children in Beth...
Wrongdoer (16 Occurrences)
... man's position. (BBE RSV). 1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not taken by deceit,
but the woman, beingtricked, became a wrongdoer. (BBE). 1...
Well-said (1 Occurrence)
... not servants of the Lord Christ, but of their stomachs; and by their smooth and
well-said words the hearts of those who have no knowledge of evil aretricked....
Resources
Why did God sometimes change a person's name in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does God allow deception? | GotQuestions.orgTricked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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