The term "suborned" refers to the act of secretly inducing someone to commit an unlawful act, particularly perjury. In a biblical context, suborning is often associated with false testimony and deceit, which are condemned throughout Scripture. The concept of suborning is closely related to the broader biblical themes of truth, justice, and righteousness.

Biblical Instances of Suborning

One of the most notable instances of suborning in the Bible is found in the account of Naboth's vineyard. King Ahab desired Naboth's vineyard, but Naboth refused to sell it to him. Ahab's wife, Jezebel, then orchestrated a plot to acquire the vineyard by suborning false witnesses. She wrote letters in Ahab's name, instructing the elders and nobles of Naboth's city to "seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death" (1 Kings 21:10). This act of suborning led to Naboth's unjust execution and is a stark example of the misuse of power and the perversion of justice.

Another significant example is found in the trial of Jesus Christ. The chief priests and the Sanhedrin sought to put Jesus to death and resorted to suborning false witnesses to achieve their goal. "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death" (Matthew 26:59). Despite their efforts, the false witnesses could not provide consistent testimony, highlighting the futility and moral bankruptcy of their actions.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The act of suborning is fundamentally opposed to the biblical principles of truth and justice. The Ninth Commandment explicitly states, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). Suborning false testimony is a direct violation of this commandment and is seen as an affront to God's character, who is described as a God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4).

The Bible consistently upholds the value of truthfulness and integrity. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a false witness who pours out lies" as one of the seven things the Lord detests. The act of suborning not only harms the individual who is falsely accused but also corrupts the judicial process and undermines societal trust.

Consequences and Divine Justice

Scripture assures that those who engage in deceitful practices, including suborning, will ultimately face divine justice. Psalm 5:6 declares, "You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man" . The account of Naboth's vineyard concludes with divine retribution against Ahab and Jezebel, demonstrating that God does not overlook acts of injustice and deceit.

In the New Testament, the early church faced challenges from those who sought to undermine its mission through deceit. Ananias and Sapphira's attempt to deceive the apostles about the proceeds of a land sale resulted in their immediate judgment (Acts 5:1-11). This account serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views deceit and falsehood.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently condemns the act of suborning as a violation of God's law and an affront to His nature. Through various accounts, Scripture illustrates the destructive consequences of deceit and the certainty of divine justice. Believers are called to uphold truth and integrity, reflecting the character of God in their lives and interactions.(imp. & p. p.) of Suborn.1455. egkathetos -- hired to lie in wait, lying in wait
... spy. From en and a derivative of kathiemi; subinduced, ie Surreptitiously suborned
as a lier-in-wait -- spy. see GREEK en. see GREEK kathiemi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1455.htm - 6k

But Upon those who have Used Dissimulation Like David...
... children; for they deceived the impious heathen, in that they seemed to sacrifice,
although they did not sacrifice, or perhaps they suborned heathens and ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon v but upon those.htm

Acts vi. 8
... Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against
Moses, and against God." (v.9-12.) That they may establish the charge ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

Arrest and Trial of Jesus.
... criminals. When a man was accused of being a "corrupter," two witnesses
were suborned who were concealed behind a partition. It ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxiv arrest and trial.htm

The Christians Defamed a Sarcastic Description of Fame; Its ...
... See, now, what a witness [551] you have suborned against us: it has not been able
up to this time to prove the report it set in motion, although it has had so ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter vii name christians defamed.htm

Boastings and Quarrels of the Philosophers.
... It is not we who eat human flesh [493] "they among you who assert such a thing have
been suborned as false witnesses; it is among you that Pelops is made a ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxv boastings and quarrels of.htm

What was the Character of his Brother in Empire...
... Whenever he stood in need of more, the richest senators were presently charged,
by suborned evidences, as guilty of aspiring to the empire; so that the chief ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap viii what was the.htm

The Life of Mr. George Wishart.
... After this he suborned a priest to forge a will of K. James 5.who died about this
time, declaring himself, with the earls of Huntly, Argyle and Murray to be ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george.htm

The Malice of Antipater and Doris. Alexander is Very Uneasy on ...
... passage by his calumnies with the greatest shrewdness; while he put on a face as
if he were a kind brother to Alexander and Aristobulus, but suborned other men ...
/.../chapter 24 the malice of.htm

2 Thessalonians
... a kind of anchor, when he was not able to persuade them that the things to come
were false, went to work another way, and having suborned certain pestilential ...
/.../homily i 2 thessalonians.htm

Such were the Things Accomplished by Helena, While, under a ...
... There remained, however, in their hearts, a deep-seated hatred against the Catholics,
and they assailed, with suborned accusers and trumped-up charges, those ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxxv such were the.htm

Suborned (2 Occurrences)
...Suborned (2 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Acts 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We
have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. ...
/s/suborned.htm - 7k

Subscribe (2 Occurrences)

/s/subscribe.htm - 8k

Persons (156 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 And having watched him, they sent out suborned persons, pretending to
be just men, that they might take hold of him in his language, so that they ...
/p/persons.htm - 38k

Post (26 Occurrences)
... (2.) This word sometimes also is used for lintel or threshold (Isaiah 6:4). Noah
Webster's Dictionary. 1. (a.) Hired to do what is wrong; suborned. ...
/p/post.htm - 19k

Pretending (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 And having watched him, they sent out suborned persons, pretending to
be just men, that they might take hold of him in his language, so that they ...
/p/pretending.htm - 7k

Suborn

/s/suborn.htm - 7k

Regard (230 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 6:11 then they suborned men, saying -- 'We have heard him speaking
evil sayings in regard to Moses and God.' (YLT). Acts ...
/r/regard.htm - 36k

Sayings (134 Occurrences)
... YLT). Acts 6:11 then they suborned men, saying -- 'We have heard him speaking
evil sayings in regard to Moses and God.' (YLT). Acts ...
/s/sayings.htm - 41k

Speaking (376 Occurrences)
... NAS). Acts 6:11 Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking
blasphemous words against Moses and God. (DBY YLT). Acts ...
/s/speaking.htm - 34k

Law (670 Occurrences)
... But this was the testimony of suborned witnesses, having doubtless its foundation
in the fact that Stephen's teaching emphasized the grace of the gospel. ...
/l/law.htm - 101k

Why did the crowds shout, “Crucify Him!” when Pilate wanted to release Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Suborned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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