The concept of "entices" in the Bible often refers to the act of luring or tempting someone into sin or wrongdoing. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, highlighting the moral and spiritual dangers of being led astray from God's commandments and wisdom.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "entice" is "patah," which means to persuade or seduce. One of the earliest mentions is found in Exodus 22:16, where it addresses the consequences for a man who entices a virgin: "If a man entices a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and lies with her, he must pay the bride price, and she will be his wife."

The book of Proverbs frequently warns against the enticement of sinners and the seductive allure of folly. Proverbs 1:10 advises, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent." This verse underscores the importance of resisting peer pressure and the seductive pull of sinful behavior.

Proverbs 16:29 further illustrates the danger of enticement: "A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good." Here, the text warns against the influence of those who would lead others into violence and moral corruption.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "deleazo" is used to describe the act of enticing or luring. James 1:14-15 provides a vivid depiction of how enticement leads to sin: "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 temptation and the progression from enticement to sin and ultimately to spiritual death.

The apostle Peter also warns against false teachers who entice others with empty promises. 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." This serves as a caution against those who would use persuasive words to lead believers away from the truth of the Gospel.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays enticement as a tool of the wicked, used to lead the righteous away from God's path. It is often associated with deception, seduction, and the exploitation of human desires. Believers are called to be vigilant and discerning, recognizing the subtlety of enticement and the importance of adhering to God's wisdom and commandments.

The Scriptures encourage believers to seek wisdom and understanding, as seen in Proverbs 2:10-12: "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." By cultivating a heart of wisdom, believers can resist the enticements of sin and remain steadfast in their faith.5186. natah -- to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
... bow (1), bowed (3), came to stumbling (1), cast down (1), decline (1), defraud
(1), deprive (2), deviated (1), distort (1), distorts (1), entices (1), extend ( ...
/hebrew/5186.htm - 7k

6601b. pathah -- to be simple
... from pethi Definition to be simple NASB Word Usage allure (1), became...enticed
(1), deceive (2), deceived (5), entice (9), enticed (1), entices (1), persuaded ...
/hebrew/6601b.htm - 5k

The Allies of the Tempter.
... of Egypt? And will not its votaries find now, as then, that it entices
with the embrace of death and the fascination of hell? Why ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse vi the allies of.htm

There are Therefore in us Evil Desires, by Consenting not unto ...
... But the perfection of good is not fulfilled, so long as by the flesh serving the
law of sin, evil lust entices, and, although it be restrained, is yet moved. ...
/.../augustine/on continence/section 20 there are therefore.htm

On the Feast of Martyrs
... Now, when God sees that by sweetness only, and in no other way, can He lead them,
He entices them on by wounded love, and then by imprisoned love, so that they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxx on the feast.htm

On the Nativity of Our Lady
... Wisdom: "Come over to me, all ye that desire me, that ye may be filled with my fruits."
These are the words of the Heavenly Father Who guides and entices us to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xix on the nativity.htm

Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... in perplexity, not knowing to which we are first to give our consideration, as each
of the things we see draws us away from its neighbours, and entices the eye ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on s ignatius and.htm

The Twentieth Chapter: the Love of Solitude and Silence
... Why wish to see what you are not permitted to have? "The world passes away and the
concupiscence thereof." Sensual craving sometimes entices you to wander ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twentieth chapter the love.htm

To Act Well of Greater Consequence than to Speak Well.
... deeds. Accordingly discourse refreshes the soul and entices it to nobleness;
and happy is he who has the use of both his hands. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter x to act well of.htm

Of the Devil, the World, God, Providence, Man, and his Wisdom.
... became evil by his own act, is called by the Greeks diabolus: [207] we call him
accuser, because he reports to God the faults to which he himself entices us. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ix of the devil the.htm

Simon's Explanation of the Three Last Books of the Pentateuch.
... the only one that is changed by Circe into a beast; but also, employing the power
of such a fruit, he forms anew and moulds afresh, and re-entices into that ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xi simons explanation of the.htm

Cyprian's Testimonies Concerning the Imperfection of Our Own ...
... If ambition is despised, anger exasperates, pride puffs up, wine-bibbing entices;
envy breaks concord; jealousy cuts friendship; you are constrained to curse ...
/.../anti-pelagian writings/chapter 27 x cyprians testimonies concerning.htm

Entices (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Entices (5 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Proverbs 16:29 A man
of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. ...
/e/entices.htm - 7k

Enticement (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) That which entices, or incites to evil; means of allurement; alluring
object; as, an enticement to sin. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/enticement.htm - 6k

Tempter (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who tempts or entices; especially, Satan, or
the Devil, regarded as the great enticer to evil. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/tempter.htm - 7k

Enticeth (3 Occurrences)

/e/enticeth.htm - 7k

Enticing (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Entice. 2. (a.) That entices;
alluring. Multi-Version Concordance Enticing (6 Occurrences). ...
/e/enticing.htm - 8k

Engaged (31 Occurrences)
... Exodus 22:16 "If a man entices a virgin who isn't pledged to be married, and lies
with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. (See NAS). ...
/e/engaged.htm - 15k

Entice (15 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 22:16 "If a man entices a virgin who isn't pledged to be married,
and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. ...
/e/entice.htm - 11k

Dowry (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 22:16 "If a man entices a virgin who isn't pledged to be married, and lies
with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. ...
/d/dowry.htm - 11k

Pledged (19 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Exodus 22:16 "If a man entices a virgin who isn't pledged to be married,
and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. ...
/p/pledged.htm - 12k

Bonnet (1 Occurrence)
... 11. (n.) The second stomach of a ruminating animal. 12. (n.) An accomplice of a
gambler, auctioneer, etc., who entices others to bet or to bid; a decoy. 13. ...
/b/bonnet.htm - 10k

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