Lexical Summary dolioó: To deceive, to beguile, to ensnare Original Word: δολιόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance use deceit. From dolios; to be guileful -- use deceit. see GREEK dolios HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1387 dolióō (from 1388 /dólos, "bait") – properly, to lure, using bait to pull someone in; to deceive, preying on people who are blinded by their own bitterness, greed or lust. (This makes them "easy prey" to ensnare.) See 1388 (dolos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dolios Definition to deceive NASB Translation deceiving (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1387: δολιόωδολιόω: (δόλιος); to deceive, use deceit: in Romans 3:13, from Psalm 5:10, imperfect ἐδολιοῦσαν an Alexandrian form for ἐδολιουν, see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 349; Winers Grammar, § 13, 2 f.; Mullach, p. 16; Buttmann, 43 (37); (cf. ἔχω). (Not found in secular writings; (Numbers 25:18; Psalm 104:25 Topical Lexicon Root concept and semantic range Strong’s Greek 1387 expresses the action of luring or ensnaring by treachery. It portrays speech that sets a hidden hook—language crafted to mislead, manipulate, or betray confidence. The verb pictures deliberate, calculated guile rather than an impulsive falsehood. Old Testament background (LXX) The Septuagint employs the root in poetic and prophetic texts to expose the moral rot that accompanies covenant violation. Psalm 5:9 (LXX 5:10) laments, “with their tongues they deceived” (ἐδολιοῦσαν), setting the pattern Paul will later cite. Similar imagery appears in Jeremiah 9 where deceit saturates Judah’s everyday speech. Throughout the LXX, δολιόω unveils a heart posture intent on exploiting neighbor and God alike. New Testament usage Romans 3:13 contains the verb’s lone New Testament occurrence: “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit”. Paul inserts the quotation in a catena of Old Testament testimonies (Romans 3:10-18) to prove that both Jew and Gentile stand guilty under sin. The perfect harmony between Psalmist and Apostle underscores Scripture’s unified witness to human depravity. Theological significance 1. Sin’s universality: δολιόω crowns a list of bodily members (throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet) recruited into rebellion, illustrating how comprehensive corruption is. Practical implications for ministry today • Guarded speech: James warns, “the tongue…sets the whole course of one’s life on fire” (James 3:6). Believers pursue transparent, edifying communication (Ephesians 4:25, 29). Related terms and concepts ἀπάτη (deception), δόλος (guile), ψεύδομαι (to lie). Together they form a biblical theology of falsehood that contrasts sharply with ἀλήθεια (truth) embodied in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Illustrative examples in Church history • Early apologists like Justin Martyr denounced pagan philosophers who “practiced deceit” through sophistry, echoing Romans 3:13. Homiletical pointers 1. Exposition: Walk the congregation through Romans 3:10-18, highlighting how δολιόω fits Paul’s anatomy of sin. Summary Strong’s Greek 1387 confronts the believer with the sobering reality that the tongue can become an instrument of treachery. Its solitary appearance in Romans 3:13, buttressed by rich Old Testament precedent, serves the grand redemptive purpose of exposing sin so that grace may abound. Forms and Transliterations δολιούσθαι δολιούσιν δολίως εδολιουσαν εδολιούσαν ἐδολιοῦσαν edoliousan edolioûsanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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