Deceitful
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:
Deceitfulness is characterized by the act of misleading or deceiving others through falsehoods, trickery, or concealment of the truth. In the biblical context, deceit is often associated with sin and moral corruption, standing in opposition to the truth and righteousness that God desires from His people.

Biblical References and Examples:
The Bible frequently addresses the issue of deceit, warning against its destructive nature and the consequences it brings. In the Old Testament, deceit is often linked with wickedness and is condemned by God. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights the contrast between deceit and faithfulness, emphasizing God's preference for honesty.

The account of Jacob and Esau provides a notable example of deceit. Jacob, whose name itself means "supplanter" or "deceiver," used deceit to obtain his brother Esau's birthright and blessing (Genesis 27). This act of deception led to significant familial strife and serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term consequences of deceitful actions.

In the New Testament, deceit is similarly condemned. Jesus Himself warns against deceit in Mark 7:21-22, where He lists deceit among the evils that come from within a person and defile them. The Apostle Paul also addresses deceit in his epistles, urging believers to put away falsehood and speak truthfully to one another (Ephesians 4:25).

Spiritual Implications:
Deceit is not merely a social or ethical issue but a spiritual one. It is seen as a tool of Satan, the father of lies, who seeks to lead people away from the truth of God. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as "a liar and the father of lies," indicating that deceit is fundamentally opposed to the nature of God, who is truth.

The Bible calls believers to a life of integrity and truthfulness, reflecting the character of God. Psalm 24:3-4 asks, "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully." This passage underscores the importance of purity and honesty in one's relationship with God.

Consequences of Deceit:
The consequences of deceit are both temporal and eternal. In the temporal realm, deceit can lead to broken relationships, loss of trust, and societal discord. Proverbs 19:5 warns, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape." This reflects the biblical principle that deceit ultimately leads to judgment and accountability.

Eternally, deceit can separate individuals from God. Revelation 21:8 lists deceit among the sins that lead to the second death, indicating the severe spiritual ramifications of living a deceitful life. The call to repentance and faith in Christ offers redemption and transformation, enabling believers to turn from deceit and embrace the truth.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate a life of honesty and transparency, aligning their words and actions with the truth of Scripture. This involves a commitment to integrity in all areas of life, including personal relationships, business dealings, and spiritual practices. By doing so, Christians bear witness to the truth of the Gospel and reflect the character of Christ to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Fraudulent; cheating; insincere; serving to mislead or ensnare; trickish.
Greek
1386. dolios -- deceitful
... deceitful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dolios Phonetic Spelling:
(dol'-ee-os) Short Definition: treacherous, deceitful Definition: treacherous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1386.htm - 6k

5571. pseudes -- lying, false
... lying, false. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pseudes Phonetic Spelling:
(psyoo-dace') Short Definition: false, deceitful, lying Definition: false ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5571.htm - 6k

1351. dilogos -- given to repetition, double-tongued
... double-tongued. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dilogos Phonetic Spelling:
(dil'-og-os) Short Definition: double-tongued, deceitful Definition: double ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1351.htm - 7k

4108. planos -- wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver ...
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver
(subst.) NASB Word Usage deceitful (1), deceiver (2), deceivers (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4108.htm - 7k

539. apate -- deceit
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition deceit NASB Word Usage deceit (1),
deceitfulness (3), deception (2), deceptions (1). deceitful, deceiving. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/539.htm - 6k

4106. plane -- a wandering
... See 4105 (). Word Origin fem. of planos Definition a wandering NASB Word Usage
deceitful (1), deception (1), deluding (1), error (7). delusion, error. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4106.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
6121a. aqob -- insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints
... 6121, 6121a. aqob. 6121b . insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints.
Transliteration: aqob Short Definition: deceitful. Word ...
/hebrew/6121a.htm - 5k

8501. takak -- deceitful
... takak. 8502 . deceitful. Transliteration: takak Phonetic Spelling: (taw-kawk')
Short Definition: deceitful. Word Origin the same as tok, qv. deceitful ...
/hebrew/8501.htm - 5k

6121. aqob -- insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints
... insidious, deceitful, tracked by footprints. Transliteration: aqob Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-kobe') Short Definition: crooked. crooked, deceitful, polluted ...
/hebrew/6121.htm - 5k

5230. nakal -- to be crafty, deceitful or knavish
... nakal. 5231 . to be crafty, deceitful or knavish. Transliteration: nakal Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-kal') Short Definition: craftily. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5230.htm - 6k

6280. athar -- to be abundant
... athar. 6281 . to be abundant. Transliteration: athar Phonetic Spelling: (aw-thar')
Short Definition: deceitful. Word Origin a prim. ... deceitful, multiply. ...
/hebrew/6280.htm - 5k

6143. iqqeshuth -- crookedness
... 6142, 6143. iqqeshuth. 6144 . crookedness. Transliteration: iqqeshuth Phonetic
Spelling: (ik-kesh-ooth') Short Definition: deceitful. ...
/hebrew/6143.htm - 6k

3577. kazab -- a lie, falsehood, deceptive thing
... deceitful, false, leasing, liar, lie, lying. From kazab; falsehood; literally (untruth)
or figuratively (idol) -- deceitful, false, leasing, + liar, lie, lying. ...
/hebrew/3577.htm - 6k

4820. mirmah -- deceit, treachery
... Word Origin from ramah Definition deceit, treachery NASB Word Usage deceit (21),
deceitful (6), deceitfully (2), deception (2), deceptive (1), dishonest (1 ...
/hebrew/4820.htm - 6k

8267. sheqer -- deception, disappointment, falsehood
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition deception, disappointment, falsehood
NASB Word Usage deceit (2), deceitful (3), deceiving (4), deception (3 ...
/hebrew/8267.htm - 6k

7423a. remiyyah -- deceit, treachery
... Word Origin from ramah Definition deceit, treachery NASB Word Usage deceit (4),
deceitful (4), treacherous (1), what is deceitful (1). 7423, 7423a. ...
/hebrew/7423a.htm - 5k

Library

The Bloody and Deceitful Man
... Names And Titles of the Antichrist 5. The Bloody and Deceitful Man. ... The Bloody
and Deceitful Man views the Antichrist in relation to the Jews. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/5 the bloody and deceitful.htm

Of a Deceitful Peace.
... LXVI."Of a Deceitful Peace. The arranged time comes to our people; there
is peace in the world; and, at the same time, ruin is ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/lxvi of a deceitful peace.htm

Earthly Prospects Deceitful.
... I. SEASONS NEW-YEAR'S HYMNS. Hymn 6 Earthly prospects deceitful. John Newton
7,7,7,7. Earthly prospects deceitful. Oft in vain the voice of truth,. ...
/.../newton/olney hymns/hymn 6 earthly prospects deceitful.htm

How Deceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is.
... PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER VI. HOW DECEITFUL THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD IS, AND
HOW AMIABLE GOD IS. The Servant."Sweetest God, if I leave ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter vi how deceitful the.htm

And at First, Indeed, that Deceitful and Lawless One...
... Piece XXV. And at first, indeed, that deceitful and lawless one? And at
first, indeed, that deceitful and lawless one, with crafty ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxv and at first.htm

That the Deceitful Demons, While Promising to Conduct Men to God ...
... Book IX. Chapter 18."That the Deceitful Demons, While Promising to Conduct Men to
God by Their Intercession, Mean to Turn Them from the Path of Truth. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 18 that the deceitful demons.htm

The Deceitful Arts and Nefarious Practices of Marcus.
... Against Heresies: Book I Chapter XIII."The deceitful arts and nefarious
practices of Marcus. 1. But [2813] there is another among ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiii the deceitful arts and.htm

The Opinion which the Mind Has of Itself is Deceitful.
... Book X. Chapter 6."The Opinion Which the Mind Has of Itself is Deceitful.
8. But the mind errs, when it so lovingly and intimately ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 the opinion which the.htm

Psalm CXX.
... ascent. 3. "Deliver my soul, O Lord, from unrighteous lips, and from a
deceitful tongue" (ver.2). What is a deceitful tongue? A ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxx.htm

Psalm CIX.
... 2. The Psalm, then, beginneth thus: "O God, be not silent as to my praise; for the
mouth of the ungodly, yea, the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me" (ver ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cix.htm

Thesaurus
Deceitful (46 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Deceitful (46 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such
men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles. ...
/d/deceitful.htm - 18k

Deceptive (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Proverbs 11:18 The wicked earneth deceitful wages; but he that soweth
righteousness hath a sure reward. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/deceptive.htm - 9k

Dainties (14 Occurrences)
... with a ruler" (Proverbs 23:1-3) is counseled, "If thou be a man given to appetite,
be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they are deceitful food" (compare ...
/d/dainties.htm - 12k

Deceit (160 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading
as Christ's apostles. ... Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. ...
/d/deceit.htm - 35k

Deceitfully (22 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Micah 6:12 Whose rich ones have been full of violence, And its inhabitants
have spoken falsehood, And their tongue 'is' deceitful in their mouth. ...
/d/deceitfully.htm - 13k

Unreliable (2 Occurrences)
... They were turned aside like a deceitful bow. (See NIV). ... will you indeed be
to me as a deceitful brook, as waters that fail? (See NAS). ...
/u/unreliable.htm - 7k

Incurable (13 Occurrences)
... will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook, as waters that fail? ... Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and incurable; who can know it? ...
/i/incurable.htm - 10k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... with a ruler" (Proverbs 23:1-3) is counseled, "If thou be a man given to appetite,
be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they are deceitful food" (compare ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Meats (9 Occurrences)
... with a ruler" (Proverbs 23:1-3) is counseled, "If thou be a man given to appetite,
be not desirous of his dainties; seeing they are deceitful food" (compare ...
/m/meats.htm - 11k

Bloodthirsty (6 Occurrences)
... Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (WEB RSV NIV). ... Bloodthirsty and
deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you. ...
/b/bloodthirsty.htm - 8k

Resources
How can I know if the desires of my heart are from God? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible say to follow your heart? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about motives? | GotQuestions.org

Deceitful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Deceitful (46 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 11:13
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 4:14
So that we may be no longer children, sent this way and that, turned about by every wind of teaching, by the twisting and tricks of men, by the deceits of error;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 4:22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(KJV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 4:1
But the Spirit says clearly that in later times some will be turned away from the faith, giving their minds to spirits of deceit, and the teachings of evil spirits,
(See NAS RSV)

Titus 1:10
For there are many that spurn authority--idle, talkative and deceitful persons, who, for the most part, are adherents of the Circumcision.
(WEY)

Hebrews 3:13
but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today;" lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
(Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Peter 2:22
He never sinned, and no deceitful language was ever heard from His mouth.
(WEY)

1 Peter 3:10
For "He who wishes to be well-satisfied with life and see happy days-- let him restrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from deceitful words;
(WEY NIV)

Revelation 21:27
There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
(See NIV)

Job 11:11
For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it.
(See NIV)

Job 13:7
Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 5:6
You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV NIV)

Psalms 17:1
A Prayer by David. Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn't go out of deceitful lips.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Psalms 26:4
I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Psalms 35:20
For they don't speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Psalms 36:3
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; he hath left off to be wise, to do good.
(See NIV)

Psalms 43:1
Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 52:4
You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 55:23
But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NIV)

Psalms 78:57
but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Psalms 109:2
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
(KJV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 120:2
Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 120:3
What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 144:8
In whose mouths are false words, and whose right hand is a right hand of deceit.
(See NIV)

Psalms 144:11
Make me free, and take me out of the hands of strange men, in whose mouths are false words, and whose right hand is a right hand of deceit.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 4:24
Put away from you an evil tongue, and let false lips be far from you.
(See NAS)

Proverbs 11:18
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Proverbs 12:5
The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Proverbs 14:25
A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
(WEB KJV WBS YLT NIV)

Proverbs 15:4
A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 17:20
One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
(WEB NIV)

Proverbs 23:3
Don't be desirous of his dainties, seeing they are deceitful food.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
(KJV WBS NAS)

Proverbs 29:13
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
(KJV WBS)

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Isaiah 30:9
For they are an uncontrolled people, false-hearted, who will not give ear to the teaching of the Lord:
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 10:14
Then every man becomes like a beast without knowledge; every gold-worker is put to shame by the image he has made: for his metal image is deceit, and there is no breath in them.
(See NAS)

Jeremiah 15:18
Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook, as waters that fail?
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 51:17
Then every man becomes like a beast without knowledge; every gold-worker is put to shame by the image he has made: for his metal image is deceit, and there is no breath in them.
(See NAS)

Hosea 7:16
They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Hosea 10:2
Their heart is divided. Now they will be found guilty. He will demolish their altars. He will destroy their sacred stones.
(See NIV)

Micah 1:14
Therefore you will give a parting gift to Moresheth Gath. The houses of Achzib will be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel.
(WEB JPS ASV RSV)

Micah 6:11
Shall I be pure with dishonest scales, and with a bag of deceitful weights?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Micah 6:12
Her rich men are full of violence, her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their speech.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Zephaniah 3:13
The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Deceitful

Related Terms

Deceit (160 Occurrences)

Guile (21 Occurrences)

Deceitful (46 Occurrences)

Deceitfulness (7 Occurrences)

Hidden (181 Occurrences)

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Practice (71 Occurrences)

Dealt (130 Occurrences)

Vanish (21 Occurrences)

Venom (8 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Unrighteously (6 Occurrences)

Undependable (1 Occurrence)

Unfairness (1 Occurrence)

Underhanded (1 Occurrence)

Overflow (43 Occurrences)

Lies (208 Occurrences)

Letting (41 Occurrences)

Graves (37 Occurrences)

Grandson (14 Occurrences)

Wadis (3 Occurrences)

Wadi (11 Occurrences)

Intermittent (1 Occurrence)

Faithlessly (5 Occurrences)

Fortifying (3 Occurrences)

Freshets (1 Occurrence)

Foreigners (76 Occurrences)

Foreign (65 Occurrences)

Flies (16 Occurrences)

Torrents (17 Occurrences)

Tamper (1 Occurrence)

Treachery (18 Occurrences)

Throats (5 Occurrences)

Torrent-bed (1 Occurrence)

Resemble (15 Occurrences)

Razor (8 Occurrences)

Renounce (12 Occurrences)

Recommending (2 Occurrences)

Redeemed (78 Occurrences)

Espoused (7 Occurrences)

Disgraceful (17 Occurrences)

Deception (24 Occurrences)

Devises (11 Occurrences)

Designated (22 Occurrences)

Distort (8 Occurrences)

Deviseth (12 Occurrences)

Doubly (2 Occurrences)

Dishonesty (3 Occurrences)

Despising (25 Occurrences)

Displeasing (31 Occurrences)

Defraud (11 Occurrences)

Mischiefs (6 Occurrences)

Manifestation (11 Occurrences)

Mistake (5 Occurrences)

Plotting (13 Occurrences)

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Plainly (25 Occurrences)

Pitfall (3 Occurrences)

Betrothed (19 Occurrences)

Brooks (28 Occurrences)

Craftiness (8 Occurrences)

Commending (4 Occurrences)

Channel (3 Occurrences)

Abubus

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Shameful (27 Occurrences)

Subtly (3 Occurrences)

Sojournest (2 Occurrences)

Swarms (18 Occurrences)

Selected (23 Occurrences)

Sharpened (13 Occurrences)

Devise (41 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Tomorrow (57 Occurrences)

Setting (82 Occurrences)

Vanity (100 Occurrences)

Wickedly (34 Occurrences)

Paul's (34 Occurrences)

Commend (22 Occurrences)

Deceit: Work
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