The concept of outwitting, which involves using cleverness or cunning to gain an advantage over others, is addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible. While the term "outwit" itself may not appear frequently in the Berean Standard Bible, the idea is present in numerous narratives and teachings.

Biblical Examples of Outwitting:

1. Jacob and Esau: One of the most prominent examples of outwitting in the Bible is the account of Jacob and Esau. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, outwits his brother Esau and their father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for the firstborn. Genesis 27:35 recounts Isaac's realization: "But he replied, 'Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.'" This act of cunning, though successful, led to significant familial strife and consequences for Jacob.

2. The Gibeonites: In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites use deception to outwit the Israelites. Fearing the Israelites' military might, they pretend to be from a distant land and secure a peace treaty. Joshua 9:4 states, "they acted craftily and set out as envoys with worn-out sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins, cracked and mended." This account illustrates the use of cunning to achieve protection, though it later led to servitude.

3. Samson and the Philistines: Samson's interactions with the Philistines are filled with instances of outwitting. In Judges 14, Samson poses a riddle to the Philistines, which they cannot solve without deceitfully obtaining the answer from his wife. Judges 14:18 records their response: "Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to him, 'What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?' And he said to them, 'If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!'"

4. David and Saul: David, while fleeing from King Saul, often used his wits to escape danger. In 1 Samuel 24, David spares Saul's life in a cave, demonstrating his ability to outmaneuver Saul's attempts to capture him. David's actions are marked by a reliance on God's guidance rather than deceit, highlighting a righteous form of outwitting.

Wisdom and Cunning:

The Bible often contrasts godly wisdom with worldly cunning. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom over relying solely on human cunning.

Warnings Against Deception:

Scripture warns against deceitful practices, emphasizing integrity and truthfulness. Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." The Bible encourages believers to act with honesty and integrity, reflecting God's character in their interactions.

Jesus and the Pharisees:

Jesus often outwitted the Pharisees and religious leaders who sought to trap Him with their questions. In Matthew 22:15-22, the Pharisees attempt to ensnare Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus responds with wisdom, saying, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21). His response leaves them amazed and unable to accuse Him.

Conclusion:

The Bible presents outwitting as a tool that can be used for both righteous and unrighteous purposes. While cleverness and cunning can achieve short-term goals, the Scriptures consistently advocate for wisdom, integrity, and reliance on God as the foundation for true success and righteousness.1. (v. t.) To surpass in wisdom, esp. in cunning; to defeat or overreach by superior craft.

2. (n.) The faculty of acquiring wisdom by observation and experience, or the wisdom so acquired; -- opposed to inwit.

2686. katasophizomai -- to deal craftily with
... Transliteration: katasophizomai Phonetic Spelling: (kat-as-of-id'-zom-ahee) Short
Definition: I circumvent by trickery Definition: I deal craftily with, outwit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2686.htm - 6k

Prosperity under Persecution
... In their opposition to the Christian church, the men of the world might certainly
have been as well able to outwit her by the variety of their manoeuvres as to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/prosperity under persecution.htm

Love Never Tests.
... We're not in the same class. In his keen subtlety and cunning he can outmatch the
keenest of us; outwit and befool without doing any extra thinking. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/love never tests.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... his making of shrubs to stand, and his suffering of cedars to fall; his infatuating
of the counsels of men, and his making of the devil to outwit himself; his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

The Motives to this Oversight
... solicitations, and violent assaults. As wise and learned as you are, take
heed to yourselves, lest he outwit you. The devil is a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 2 the motives to.htm

Security of Christians.
... way; hut perhaps thy ignorance about; it is so great, and those that tempt thee
to turn aside are so many and so subtle, that, they seem to outwit thee and ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xvi security of christians.htm

The Revocation of the Rulers.
... with the most virulent hatred"; neither does it "lay the blame upon the Christians
because they had forsaken Christ," nor aim to "dupe and outwit the angry ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xvii the revocation of the.htm

Trials of the Christian
... others; his making shrubs to stand, and his suffering cedars to fall; his infatuating
the counsels of men, and his making the devil to outwit himself; his ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xiv trials of the christian.htm

Acts ii. 1, 2
... about lakes, so mastered them, as if it cost him not so much ado as even a contest
with dumb fishes: for just as if the opponents he had to outwit were indeed ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily iv acts ii 1.htm

Soul Winning
... Their enemy is a fowler possessed of the basest and most astounding cunning; we
must outwit him with the guile of honesty, the craft of grace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/soul winning.htm

Chapter xxxi
... the heart of Laban." But since the heart is the centre of mental activity, this
idiom signifies to "trick" or "deceive" (BDB), not yet, however, "outwit" (Meek ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Outwit (3 Occurrences)
... the wisdom so acquired; -- opposed to inwit. Multi-Version Concordance Outwit
(3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 2:11 So that Satan may ...
/o/outwit.htm - 7k

Outwitted (2 Occurrences)

/o/outwitted.htm - 6k

Outwent (1 Occurrence)

/o/outwent.htm - 6k

Overreach (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To reach too far; to defeat oneself by setting a goal too high. 2. (vt)
To deceive, or get the better of, by artifice or cunning; to outwit; to cheat. ...
/o/overreach.htm - 7k

Harps (27 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee secretly, and outwit me; and didst not tell
me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth and with songs, with tabret ...
/h/harps.htm - 16k

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