The term "subtil" is an archaic spelling of "subtle," which appears in the King James Version of the Bible and is often associated with cunning, craftiness, or shrewdness. In the context of the Bible, "subtil" is most notably used to describe the serpent in the Garden of Eden narrative.

Genesis 3:1 : "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?'"

In this passage, the serpent's subtilty is highlighted as it engages Eve in conversation, leading to the fall of man. The serpent's craftiness is characterized by its ability to deceive and manipulate, casting doubt on God's command and enticing Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. This act of deception is foundational to the understanding of sin entering the world, as it demonstrates the serpent's role in undermining God's authority and introducing disobedience.

The concept of subtilty is not limited to the serpent but is also seen in various biblical characters and narratives where cunning or shrewdness is employed, sometimes with negative connotations and other times as a demonstration of wisdom or prudence.

Proverbs 1:4 : "to impart prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—"

In Proverbs, subtilty is associated with wisdom and prudence, suggesting that a certain level of craftiness can be virtuous when used to navigate life's complexities and avoid pitfalls. The book of Proverbs often contrasts the wise and the foolish, indicating that subtilty, when aligned with righteousness, can be a valuable trait.

2 Samuel 13:3 : "But Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man."

In the account of Amnon and Tamar, Jonadab's shrewdness is depicted in a negative light. His cunning advice leads to the tragic events that unfold, demonstrating how subtilty can be used for selfish and destructive purposes.

The dual nature of subtilty in the Bible reflects the broader theme of human free will and moral responsibility. While subtilty can be a tool for good, leading to wise decision-making and protection from harm, it can also be a means of deception and sin when used with malicious intent. The biblical narrative encourages discernment in the use of subtilty, aligning it with godly wisdom and integrity.SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY

sub'-til, sut'-'-l, sut'-'-l-ti (chakham, nakhal, mirmah; dolos): These words are used

(1) in a good sense: 2 Samuel 13:3, chakham, "wise," "Jonadab was a very subtle (the American Standard Revised Version "subtle") man" (discreet); Proverbs 1:4, `ormah, "prudence," "to give subtlety to the simple," the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version margin "prudence"; The Wisdom of Solomon 7:22, leptos, "thin," said of the spirit in Wisdom (very fine or refined); 8:8, strophe, "winding," "subtilties of speeches"; Ecclesiasticus 39:2, "subtil parables," the Revised Version (British and American) "the subtleties of parables";

(2) in a bad sense: Genesis 3:1, `arum, "crafty," "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field," the American Standard Revised Version "subtle."

Genesis 27:35, mirmah, "deceit," "fraud," "Thy brother came with subtlety," the Revised Version (British and American) "with guile"; Psalm 105:25, nakhal, "to deceive," the King James Version "deal subtlely," the American Standard Revised Version "subtly"; Proverbs 7:10, natsar, "to watch," "guard," "to be hidden or subtle of heart," the Revised Version (British and American) "wily," margin " `close,' Hebrew `guarded' "; 2 Kings 10:19, `oqebhah, "deceit" or "treachery" (here only); Judith 5:11, katasophizo, "to use subtlety"; Ecclesiasticus 19:25, panourgia, "cunning," "unscrupulousness," "There is an exquisite subtlety, and the same is unjust"; 2 Corinthians 11:3, "The serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety," the Revised Version (British and American) "in his craftiness"; Matthew 26:4, dolos, "deceit," "that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him"; Acts 13:10, "O full of all subtlety and all mischief," the Revised Version (British and American) "all guile and all villany."

English Revised Version has "subtilty" for "wisdom" (Proverbs 8:5, 12), margin and the American Standard Revised Version, "prudence"; for "with subtlety" (the English Revised Version Mark 14:1, the King James Version "by craft") the American Standard Revised Version has "with subtlety."

W. L. Walker

2450. chakam -- wise
... cunning man, subtil, wisehearted,. From chakam; wise, (ie Intelligent, skilful or
artful) -- cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted), man). ...
/hebrew/2450.htm - 6k

6175. arum -- crafty, shrewd, sensible
... crafty, prudent, subtil. Passive participle of aram; cunning (usually in a bad sense) --
crafty, prudent, subtil. see HEBREW aram. 6174, 6175. arum. 6176 . ...
/hebrew/6175.htm - 6k

5341. natsar -- to watch, guard, keep
... protect, maintain, obey, etc.) Or a bad one (to conceal, etc.) -- besieged, hidden
thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man ...
/hebrew/5341.htm - 6k

Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
... he could not do what successfully he did, bring him to his senses again: Or might
not a piece of fraud be concerted between Jesus, a subtil youth, and his ...
/.../section vi answer to mr.htm

Estimate of St. Augustin.
... Son esprit subtil et vigoureux a souvent consum?? dans des probl??mes mystiques une
force de sagacit?? qui suffirait aux plus sublimes conceptions." Fr??d??ric ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii estimate of st augustin.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... The Scripture affirms that "the serpent was more subtil (phronimoatos) than any
beast of the field" (Genesis 3:1); and our Lord, addressing his apostles, said ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

How Sin came In
... GENESIS HOW SIN CAME IN. 'Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast
of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/how sin came in.htm

On the Fall of Man
... I.1. In the First place let us briefly consider the preceding part of this chapter.
"Now the serpent was more subtil," or intelligent, "than any beast of the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 57 on the fall.htm

Watch and Pray. --Mark. xiv. 38
... We fall into neglect of prayer; Or, while we pray, and watch not, sin. Creep
like a subtil serpent in. When by an evil world beset,. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn clxii watch and pray mark.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... 3:3). CHAPTER III. Ver.1. "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast
of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Parental Duties Considered and Urged.
... By nature disposed to error"assaulted by subtil enemies, whose temptations fall
in with their natural bias, and are strengthened by the conduct of those whom ...
/.../sermon xxii parental duties considered.htm

God's Approbation of his Works
... Meantime, the reptiles of every kind were equally harmless, and more intelligent
than they; yea, one species of them "was more subtil," or knowing, "than any ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 56 gods approbation of.htm

section v.
... Those acute and subtil spirits, in all their sagacity, can hardly divine who shall
be saved; which if they could Prognostick, their labour were at an end, nor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section v.htm

Subtil (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY. sub ...
Multi-Version Concordance Subtil (3 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/s/subtil.htm - 10k

Subtlety (3 Occurrences)
... discrimination. 3. (n.) Something that is sly, crafty, or delusive. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY. sub ...
/s/subtlety.htm - 10k

Subtilty (9 Occurrences)
... or artifice; a trick; subtlety. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SUBTIL;
SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY. sub'-til, sut'-'-l, sut'-'-l ...
/s/subtilty.htm - 12k

Subtle (5 Occurrences)
... apprehension; elusive. 4. (superl.) Smooth and deceptive. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. SUBTIL; SUBTLE; SUBTLETY; SUBTILTY. sub'-til ...
/s/subtle.htm - 11k

Jehonadab (2 Occurrences)
... It was he who gave the fatal wicked advice to Amnon, the heir to the throne
(2 Samuel 13:3-6). He was very "subtil," but unprincipled. ...
/j/jehonadab.htm - 11k

Policy (3 Occurrences)
... "readiness for anything," here in a good sense; Revised Version "subtil devices.".
Multi-Version Concordance Policy (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/policy.htm - 9k

Subtile (4 Occurrences)

/s/subtile.htm - 8k

Substitution (1 Occurrence)

/s/substitution.htm - 7k

Yea (867 Occurrences)
... Amen: come, Lord Jesus. (ASV DBY). Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil
than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. ...
/y/yea.htm - 37k

Beast (243 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more
subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. ...
/b/beast.htm - 50k

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