Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, plots often refer to secret plans or schemes devised by individuals or groups to achieve a particular end, usually through deceit or treachery. The Bible provides numerous accounts of plots, both against individuals and against God’s chosen people, illustrating the moral and spiritual battles that characterize human history.
Old Testament Examples1.
Joseph and His Brothers: One of the earliest examples of a plot in the Bible is the conspiracy of Joseph's brothers against him. Driven by jealousy, they plotted to kill him but ultimately sold him into slavery. This event is recorded in
Genesis 37:18-20: "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, plotted to annihilate the Jewish people. His scheme was ultimately thwarted by Queen Esther, who revealed the plot to King Xerxes.
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, the people of Mordecai, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes."
3.
The Conspiracy Against Daniel: Daniel faced a plot against him 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 records, "Thus the administrators and satraps sought to find 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 plot by the religious leaders to kill Jesus, which ultimately led to His crucifixion. In
Matthew 26:3-4, it is written, "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 during his ministry. One such plot is described in
Acts 23:12-13: "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 conflict between human sinfulness and divine sovereignty. While human beings may devise schemes for evil, God’s providential plan ultimately prevails. This is evident in the account of Joseph, where what his brothers intended for harm, God used for good (
Genesis 50:20). Similarly, the plot against Jesus, though intended for evil, resulted in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
The Bible also warns against engaging in deceitful schemes.
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a heart that devises wicked schemes" among the things the Lord detests. Believers are called to live with integrity and trust in God’s justice, knowing that He will bring every deed into judgment (
Ecclesiastes 12:14).
Moral LessonsThe accounts of plots in the Bible serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of envy, pride, and deceit. They remind believers of the importance of faithfulness, integrity, and reliance on God’s wisdom and protection. As seen in the lives of Joseph, Esther, and Daniel, God’s faithful servants are often vindicated, and His purposes are accomplished despite human machinations.
Greek
4189. poneria -- iniquity... iniquity, wickedness. From poneros; depravity, ie (specially), malice; plural
(concretely)
plots, sins -- iniquity, wickedness. see GREEK poneros.
...1917. epiboule -- a plan against
... Word Origin from epi and boule Definition a plan against NASB Word Usage
plot (2), plot...against (1),plots (1). lying in wait....
Strong's Hebrew
2161. zamam -- to consider, purpose, devise... root Definition to consider, purpose, devise NASB Word Usage considers (1), intended
(1),
plots (1), plotted (1), purpose (1), purposed (7), schemed (1).
...4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... device NASB Word Usage design (1), designs (3), devised (1), intentions* (1), invented
(1), inventive (1), plan (2), plans (14), plot (1),plots (1), plotting...
4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion, device
... Definition purpose, discretion, device NASB Word Usage devises evil (1), discretion
(5), evil devices (1), intent (1), plans (1), plot (1),plots (1), purpose...
Library
HeathenPlots
... After the Exile Chapter 55 HeathenPlots. [This chapter is based on Nehemiah
6..] Sanballat and his confederates dared not make open...
November the Eleventh Foiling the Enemy'sPlots
... NOVEMBER The Eleventh FOILING THE ENEMY'SPLOTS. LUKE xxii.24-34. I do not meet
my tempter alone. The engagement has been foreseen by my Lord....
Bad Ecclesiastics and BasePlots
... BOOK III CHAPTER XXXIX BAD ECCLESIASTICS AND BASEPLOTS. The priests thereof
teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for...
Or Haply is it So, that He whoPlots in this Way to Find...
... Section 13. Or haply is it so, that he whoplots in this way to find?
13. Or haply is it so, that he whoplots in this way to...
Concerning John of Gichala. Josephus Uses Stratagems against the...
... Concerning John Of Gichala. Josephus Uses Stratagems Against ThePlots John Laid
Against Him And Recovers Certain Cities Which Had Revolted From Him....
Flight of Constantine to his Father Because of thePlots of...
... eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter XX."Flight of Constantine to his Father
because of thePlots of Diocletian. The emperors then...
Calamities Suffered by the People after the Expulsion of John. The...
... Book VIII. Chapter XXI."Calamities suffered by the People after the Expulsion
of John. ThePlots against him of Assassination....
Concerning Zamaris, the Babylonian Jew; Concerning thePlots Laid...
... CHAPTER 2. Concerning Zamaris, The Babylonian Jew; Concerning ThePlots Laid By
Antipater Against His Father; And Somewhat About The Pharisees....
The Subsequent Wickedness of Licinius, and his Death.
... 5. But Licinius, on the contrary, pursued a course directly opposite to this; forming
daily all kinds ofplots against his superior, and devising all sorts of...
Matt. vii. 21
... floods," and "winds," He is expressing metaphorically the calamities and afflictions
that befall men; such as false accusations,plots, bereavements, deaths...
Thesaurus
Plots (20 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Plots (20 Occurrences).
... (See RSV). Psalms 36:4 He
plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good.
...Plot (53 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Psalms 37:12 The wickedplots against the just, and gnashes at him
with his teeth. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Plotted (21 Occurrences)
Lowliness (9 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:19 serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with
trials which befell me by theplots of the Jews; (ASV DBY)....
Gnashes (4 Occurrences)
... eyes upon me. (See NIV). Psalms 37:12 The wickedplots against the just,
and gnashes at him with his teeth. (WEB NAS RSV). Psalms 112...
Gnash (12 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 37:12 The wicked
plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth....
Irrigation
... The water is brought in channels to the gardens, where it is distributed in turn
to the different squareplots bounded by banks of earth, or along the rows of...
Felix (11 Occurrences)
... But Lysias, finding that Paul was a Roman citizen, and that therefore the secret
plots against the life of his captive might entail serious consequences upon...
Trials (11 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials
which happened to me by theplots of the Jews; (WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV)....
Treachery (18 Occurrences)
... all day long. (See NAS RSV). Psalms 52:2 Your tongueplots destruction, like
a sharp razor, working deceitfully. (See RSV). Psalms 55...
Resources
What is a cupbearer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from Psalm 119? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is grave sucking / grave soaking / mantle grabbing? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
