The concept of "entice" in the Bible often carries a negative connotation, referring to the act of luring or seducing someone into sin or wrongdoing. This term is frequently associated with temptation and the moral struggles faced by individuals in their spiritual journey.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "entice" is "pāṯâ," which means to persuade or seduce. One of the earliest mentions of enticement is found in the context of idolatry and false prophets. Deuteronomy 13:6-8 warns the Israelites against being enticed by close family members or friends to worship other gods: "If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, 'Let us go and worship other gods'... you must not yield to him or listen to him."

The book of Proverbs frequently addresses the dangers of being enticed by sinful behavior. Proverbs 1:10 advises, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent." This verse underscores the importance of resisting temptation and remaining steadfast in righteousness.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "deleazō" is used to describe the act of enticing. James 1:14-15 provides insight into the process of temptation and enticement: "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This passage highlights the internal nature of enticement, emphasizing personal responsibility in the face of temptation.

The apostle Peter also warns against false teachers who entice believers with deceptive words. In 2 Peter 2:18, he writes, "For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error."

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Enticement is a recurring theme in the Bible, often linked to the broader struggle between good and evil. It serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required to maintain one's faith and integrity. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and discernment to recognize and resist enticement. Proverbs 2:10-12 states, "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity."

The biblical narrative consistently calls for reliance on God's strength and guidance to overcome the allure of sin. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul reassures believers, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it."

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of enticement, it also offers hope and guidance for those who seek to live a life pleasing to God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom found in Scripture, believers are equipped to resist the seductive pull of sin and remain steadfast in their faith.(v. t.) To draw on, by exciting hope or desire; to allure; to attract; as, the bait enticed the fishes. Often in a bad sense: To lead astray; to induce to evil; to tempt; as, the sirens enticed them to listen.1185. deleazo -- to lure
... to lure. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: deleazo Phonetic Spelling:
(del-eh-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I allure, entice by a bait Definition: I allure ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1185.htm - 6k

1828. exelko -- to draw out or away
... to draw out or away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exelko Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-el'-ko) Short Definition: I entice Definition: (lit: I draw out of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1828.htm - 6k

4624. skandalizo -- to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to ...
... to cause to stumble. From skandalon; to entrap, ie Trip up (figuratively, stumble
(transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) -- (make to) offend. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4624.htm - 8k

3985. peirazo -- to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt
... tempt, examine, try. From peira; to test (objectively), ie Endeavor, scrutinize,
entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3985.htm - 9k

5496. suth -- to incite, allure, instigate
... root Definition to incite, allure, instigate NASB Word Usage diverted (1), entice
(2), enticed (1), incited (3), inciting (1), induced (1), mislead (2 ...
/hebrew/5496.htm - 6k

6601. pathah -- to be spacious, wide or open
... allure, deceive, enlarge, entice, flatter, persuade, silly one A primitive
root; to open, ie Be (causatively, make) roomy; usually ...
/hebrew/6601.htm - 5k

6601b. pathah -- to be simple
... 6601a, 6601b. pathah. 6602 . to be simple. Transliteration: pathah Short
Definition: entice. Word Origin denominative verb from ...
/hebrew/6601b.htm - 5k

Allow Me to Fall a Prey to the Wild Beasts.
... Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing
of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep [in death], I may be no ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter iv allow me to fall.htm

I Desire to Die.
... justified." [852] May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray
they may be found eager to rush upon me, which also I will entice to devour ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter v i desire to die.htm

Commandments to Men.
... 2553] and treat her honourably and obligingly, endeavouring to be agreeable to her;
(III.) not adorning thyself in such a manner as may entice another woman to ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii commandments to men.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Consider how many testimonies the wise king, in his Proverbs, gives against it.
Chap. i. from ver.10, to 19. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Whether Certain Blessings are Necessary in Order to Excuse ...
... Hence, in order to entice a man to take food which supplies a defect of the individual,
it is enough that he feel this defect; but in order to entice him to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether certain blessings are necessary.htm

How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... Now some submitted to him out of their fear of him, and others out of their
good-will to him; for he was a shrewd man to entice men to him, both by deluding ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm

Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
... Said he to the king, " You cannot overthrow these people in battle, for God is with
them; try and entice them from their God." And ye know how with wanton ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/confession of sina sermon with.htm

The New Testament view of the Old Testament
... And Jehovah said, Who shall entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?
And one said on this manner; and another said on that manner. ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter i the new testament.htm

Letter xiv. To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica.
... limits of his present post. X. Bishops are not to entice or receive the
clergy of another diocese. A cleric from another diocese ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xiv to anastasius bishop.htm

The Introduction, and Exhortation to Demetrianus.
... He employs all these things which are able to entice as snares, and with such subtilty
that they escape the notice of the eyes of the mind, so that they cannot ...
/.../on the workmanship of god/chap i the introduction and exhortation.htm

Entice (15 Occurrences)
... Often in a bad sense: To lead astray; to induce to evil; to tempt; as, the sirens
enticed them to listen. Multi-Version Concordance Entice (15 Occurrences). ...
/e/entice.htm - 11k

Allure (1 Occurrence)
... draw; to tempt by a lure or bait, that is, by the offer of some good, real or apparent;
to invite by something flattering or acceptable; to entice; to attract. ...
/a/allure.htm - 7k

Prevail (50 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:5 The lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, "Entice
him, and see in which his great strength lies, and by what means we may ...
/p/prevail.htm - 22k

Enticing (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Entice. 2. (a.) That entices; alluring. ... And He said: Thou
shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also; go forth, and do so. (See NIV). ...
/e/enticing.htm - 8k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... the King James Version "filthy conversation"); and (2 Peter 2:18) of "lasciviousness"
(the King James Version "wantonness"), as a means "to entice in the lusts ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Lure (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) To draw to the lure; hence, to allure or invite by means of anything
that promises pleasure or advantage; to entice; to attract. ...
/l/lure.htm - 7k

Train (17 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To draw along; to trail; to drag. 2. (vt) To draw by persuasion, artifice,
or the like; to attract by stratagem; to entice; to allure. ...
/t/train.htm - 14k

Enticed (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Entice. Multi-Version Concordance
Enticed (11 Occurrences). James 1:14 But each one is tempted ...
/e/enticed.htm - 9k

Seduce (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To entice to evil; to lead astray; specifically,
to induce to surrender chastity; to debauch by means of solicitation. Int. ...
/s/seduce.htm - 12k

Suggested (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:20 Yahweh said,'Who shall entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at
Ramoth Gilead?' One said one thing; and another said another. (See NIV). ...
/s/suggested.htm - 8k

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