Lexical Summary enedreuó: To lie in wait, to ambush Original Word: ἐνεδρεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lay wait for. From enedra; to lurk, i.e. (figuratively) plot assassination -- lay wait for. see GREEK enedra NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom enedra Definition to lie in wait for, to plot NASB Translation lying in wait (1), plotting against (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1748: ἐνεδρεύωἐνεδρεύω; (ἔνεδρα); to lie in wait for, to lay wait for, prepare a trap for: τινα, a person, Luke 11:54 (G omits ἐνεδρεύω αὐτόν, T omits αὐτόν); Acts 23:21. (Thucydides, Xenophon, and following; the Sept..) Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term Strong’s Greek 1748 conveys the action of setting an ambush, lying in wait with hostile intent, or stalking one’s target with hidden malice. The imagery is military and predatory: patient concealment, followed by a sudden strike. Scripture deploys this rare verb to portray deliberate, pre-meditated schemes against the servants of God. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Luke 11:54 – Religious leaders “waited to catch Him in something He might say”, hoping to trap Jesus through His own words. Historical Context First-century Judea and the wider Roman world were no strangers to covert violence. Political zealots, brigands along travel routes, and factions within religious groups often employed ambush tactics. Against that background, Luke’s Gospel and Acts draw attention to ambush not merely as a social reality but as a manifestation of spiritual hostility toward divine revelation. The same clandestine violence that haunted wilderness roads now shadows the public ministry of Jesus and the missionary journeys of Paul. Theological and Practical Insights • Opposition to God’s Word is intentional and calculated. Luke 11:54 highlights how spiritual blindness can weaponize religious fervor. Jesus’ opponents marshal patience and strategy, underscoring the depth of their resistance. • Divine providence frustrates hidden plots. In Acts 23:16-22 a young relative of Paul uncovers the scheme, prompting the Roman commander to intervene. God’s sovereignty overrides human ambush, moving silently behind human events to preserve His servant (cf. Psalm 121:4). • The righteous answer covert hostility with integrity. Jesus continues teaching openly (Luke 12:1-3); Paul submits to lawful protection without retaliation (Acts 23:23-35). Truth and transparency prove more powerful than secret violence. • Spiritual warfare includes ambush tactics. Satan is likened to a prowling lion (1 Peter 5:8) and false teachers “secretly introduce destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1). Believers are urged to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) so as not to be taken unawares. • Vigilance in ministry is indispensable. Pastors and missionaries must heed Paul’s later counsel to Timothy: “Be sober-minded, endure hardship” (2 Timothy 4:5). Modern ambushes may arise through hostile questioning, litigation, or media distortion, yet the pattern remains: stand firm, speak truth, trust the Lord. Ministry Applications • Apologetics: Expect carefully crafted challenges. Equip God’s people to answer with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15), while avoiding verbal snares. • Pastoral care: Encourage believers facing covert opposition—workplace intrigue, family hostility, or social media harassment. Remind them that God sees the ambush before it is sprung. • Intercession: Pray for exposure of hidden plots against persecuted Christians worldwide and for wisdom among authorities charged with their protection, as in Acts 23. • Personal holiness: Refuse to employ underhanded tactics (2 Corinthians 4:2). Christian mission advances through open proclamation, not secret manipulation. Related Biblical Themes • Ambush in Old Testament warfare: Joshua 8; Judges 20. Summary Strong’s Greek 1748 depicts a stealthy, malevolent waiting for an opportune moment to strike. In the New Testament it frames the hostile strategies mounted against both the Master and His apostle. Scripture uses this vivid verb to reassure believers that no ambush escapes the Lord’s notice. Faith responds with vigilance, integrity, and unwavering confidence in God’s overruling care. Forms and Transliterations ενέδρευε ενεδρεύει ενεδρεύοντας ενεδρευοντες ενεδρεύοντες ἐνεδρεύοντες ενεδρεύουσα ενεδρεύουσι ενεδρευουσιν ἐνεδρεύουσιν ενεδρεύσατε ενεδρεύση ενεδρεύων ενήδρευσαν ενήδρευσεν enedreuontes enedreúontes enedreuousin enedreúousinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 11:54 V-PPA-NMPGRK: ἐνεδρεύοντες αὐτὸν θηρεῦσαί NAS: plotting against Him to catch KJV: Laying wait for him, and INT: watching him to catch Acts 23:21 V-PIA-3P Strong's Greek 1748 |
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