In the Bible, disguises are often used as a means to achieve a particular end, whether for protection, deception, or divine purpose. The use of disguises is depicted in various narratives, illustrating both human cunning and divine intervention.

Old Testament Instances

1. Jacob and Esau: One of the earliest instances of disguise in the Bible is found in the account of Jacob and Esau. Rebekah, Jacob's mother, helps him disguise himself as his brother Esau to receive the blessing from their father Isaac. Genesis 27:15-16 states, "Then Rebekah took the finest clothes of her older son Esau, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. She also put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck."

2. Tamar and Judah: Tamar, the daughter-in-law of Judah, disguises herself as a prostitute to secure her rights and lineage. In Genesis 38:14 , it is written, "So she removed her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah."

3. David and the Philistines: David, fleeing from King Saul, feigns madness to disguise his true identity when he seeks refuge with the Philistines. 1 Samuel 21:13 records, "So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands, scribbling on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard."

4. King Saul and the Witch of Endor: In a desperate attempt to seek guidance, King Saul disguises himself to visit the witch of Endor. 1 Samuel 28:8 states, "So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman by night, and Saul said, 'Consult a spirit for me.'"

5. Ahab and the Battle of Ramoth-gilead: King Ahab of Israel disguises himself in battle to avoid being targeted. However, his efforts are in vain as he is ultimately struck down. 1 Kings 22:30 says, "The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, 'I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal attire.' So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle."

New Testament Reference

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention disguises in the same narrative sense as the Old Testament, the concept of spiritual deception is addressed. Believers are warned against false prophets and teachers who disguise themselves as righteous. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 warns, "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness."

Theological Implications

The use of disguises in the Bible often highlights themes of deception, identity, and divine sovereignty. While some disguises are used for protection or to fulfill God's purposes, others reveal the moral complexities and consequences of deceit. The narratives serve as a reminder of God's omniscience and the ultimate futility of attempting to hide from His will.3345. metaschematizo -- to change in fashion or appearance
... meta and schematizo (to give a certain form to something) Definition to change in
fashion or appearance NASB Word Usage disguise (1), disguises (1), disguising ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3345.htm - 7k5235a. nakar -- to act or treat as foreign or strange, to disguise
... from nekar Definition to act or treat as foreign or strange, to disguise NASB Word
Usage another woman (2), delivered (1), disguised (1), disguises (1), made ...
/hebrew/5235a.htm - 5k

7760. sum -- to put, place, set
... 2), changes (2), charge* (1), charged (1), charges (2), consider (4), consider*
(6), considered* (2), determine* (1), determined (1), disguises* (1), establish ...
/hebrew/7760.htm - 7k

5643a. sether -- a covering, hiding place, secrecy
... Word Origin from sathar Definition a covering, hiding place, secrecy NASB Word Usage
backbiting (1), covert (1), disguises* (1), hidden part (1), hiding place ...
/hebrew/5643a.htm - 5k

A Question for a Questioner
... one question of his opponents by another, so may we also silence the questions of
unbelief by further questions which shall strip our doubt of all disguises. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/a question for a questioner.htm

By Faith the Operation of God is Recognised.
... with love. I cannot describe what the heart feels when it accepts the divine
will in such humble, poor, and mean disguises. Ah! how ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section ii by faith the operation.htm

Diversity of Grace.
... They understand how impenetrable are His ways, how impossible it is to guess His
enigmas, to find out His disguises, or to receive consolation when it is His ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section ii diversity of grace.htm

Psalm 50:6. To the Old Proper Tune. The Last Judgment.
... "Are my eyes charm'd thy vestments to behold, "Glaring in gems, and gay in woven
gold?" God is the judge of hearts; no fair disguises Can screen the guilty ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 50 6 0 to the old.htm

Psalm 50 the Last Judgment.
... God is the Judge of hearts, no fair disguises. Can screen the guilty when his vengeance
rises. "Unthinking wretch! ... God is the Judge of hearts, no fair disguises. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 50 the last judgment.htm

Book ii Then for a While She Held Her Peace. ...
... The change of one of her this alone has overturned your peace of mind through your
own imagination. I understand the varied disguises of that unnatural state. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book ii then for a.htm

Happiness and goodness, according to canting moralists, stand in ...
... duties. Ill-temper and envy and revenge find here an arsenal of pious
disguises; this is the playground of inverted lusts. With ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stevenson/a christmas sermon/iii.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... specious attainments, I have reason to suspect, that they are all but the effects
of nature, the issues of self-love acting under several disguises; and this ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

The Strife for Precedence.
... the deepest and most subtle motives in the soul of man. It is prolific
of disguises. It is not merely under the mask which we may ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse iii the strife for.htm

How Deceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is.
... As to the great multitude, the beasts in human form, they are worldly hearts under
spiritual disguises, who, in the vain pursuit of transitory things, drive Me ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter vi how deceitful the.htm

Disguises (3 Occurrences)
...Disguises (3 Occurrences). ... (See NAS RSV). Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer
waits for the twilight, saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. ...
/d/disguises.htm - 7k

Disguised (7 Occurrences)

/d/disguised.htm - 9k

Waits (21 Occurrences)
... Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight,
saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/w/waits.htm - 11k

Watches (23 Occurrences)
... BBE). Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight,
saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. (See NIV). ...
/w/watches.htm - 14k

Dusk (21 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight,
saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. (See NIV). ...
/d/dusk.htm - 12k

Disguiseth (5 Occurrences)

/d/disguiseth.htm - 8k

Malicious (13 Occurrences)
... tongue. (See NIV). Proverbs 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his
lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. (WEB NIV). Isaiah ...
/m/malicious.htm - 10k

Mask (3 Occurrences)
... fencer's mask; a ball player's mask. 2. (n.) That which disguises; a pretext
or subterfuge. 3. (n.) A festive entertainment of dancing ...
/m/mask.htm - 8k

Adulterer (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer
waits for the twilight, saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. ...
/a/adulterer.htm - 8k

Strip (33 Occurrences)
... to remove; to wrest away; as, to strip the skin from a beast; to strip the bark
from a tree; to strip the clothes from a man's back; to strip away all disguises...
/s/strip.htm - 18k

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