The term "treacherous" in the Bible is often associated with betrayal, deceit, and unfaithfulness. It is used to describe actions and attitudes that are contrary to the covenantal faithfulness expected by God from His people. The concept of treachery is significant in understanding the moral and spiritual failures that lead individuals and nations away from God's will.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "treacherous" is "בָּגַד" (bagad), which conveys the idea of betrayal or deceit. This term is frequently used in the prophetic books to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. For instance, in Jeremiah 3:20, the prophet laments, "But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD. This imagery of marital unfaithfulness underscores the gravity of Israel's spiritual adultery.

The book of Malachi also addresses treachery in the context of marriage and covenant relationships. Malachi 2:14-16 warns against dealing treacherously with the wife of one's youth, highlighting the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness: "You ask, 'Why?' It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant."

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of treachery is exemplified in the actions of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ. The Greek word "προδίδωμι" (prodidomi) is used to describe Judas's betrayal. In Matthew 26:48-49, Judas's treacherous act is recounted: "Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: 'The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.' Going directly to Jesus, he said, 'Greetings, Rabbi,' and kissed Him."

The New Testament also warns believers against treacherous behavior within the Christian community. In 2 Timothy 3:1-4, Paul describes the characteristics of people in the last days, including being "treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." This passage serves as a caution against allowing such traits to infiltrate the church.

Theological Implications

Treachery is fundamentally a violation of trust and covenant. In the biblical narrative, it is often linked to idolatry, injustice, and moral decay. The treacherous actions of individuals and nations are depicted as affronts to God's holiness and righteousness. The Bible consistently calls for repentance and a return to faithfulness, emphasizing God's desire for a sincere and loyal relationship with His people.

The theme of treachery also highlights the need for vigilance and integrity among believers. The call to faithfulness is not only a personal mandate but also a communal responsibility, as the actions of individuals can have far-reaching consequences for the body of Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of treachery serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of deceit and unfaithfulness. It calls believers to examine their own hearts and to strive for integrity and loyalty in their relationship with God and with one another.(a.) Like a traitor; involving treachery; violating allegiance or faith pledged; perfidious in private life; betraying a trust; faithless.802. asunthetos -- not keeping covenant
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asunthetos Phonetic Spelling: (as-oon'-thet-
os) Short Definition: untrue to an agreement, treacherous Definition: not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/802.htm - 6k

1386. dolios -- deceitful
... deceitful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dolios Phonetic Spelling:
(dol'-ee-os) Short Definition: treacherous, deceitful Definition: treacherous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1386.htm - 6k

4273. prodotes -- a betrayer
... Word Origin from prodidomi Definition a betrayer NASB Word Usage betrayers
(1), traitor (1), treacherous (1). betrayer, traitor. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4273.htm - 6k

94. adikos -- unjust, unrighteous
... From a (as a negative particle) and dike; unjust; by extension wicked; by implication,
treacherous; specially, heathen -- unjust, unrighteous. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/94.htm - 7k

901. bagod -- treacherous
... 900, 901. bagod. 902 . treacherous. Transliteration: bagod Phonetic Spelling:
(baw-gode') Short Definition: treacherous. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/901.htm - 6k

4604. maal -- an unfaithful or treacherous act
... 4603, 4604. maal. 4605 . an unfaithful or treacherous act. Transliteration:
maal Phonetic Spelling: (mah'-al) Short Definition: unfaithfully. ...
/hebrew/4604.htm - 6k

7796b. shorer -- (treacherous) watcher
... (treacherous) watcher. Transliteration: shorer Short Definition: foes. Word Origin
from shur Definition (treacherous) watcher NASB Word Usage foes (5). ...
/hebrew/7796b.htm - 5k

898. bagad -- to act or deal treacherously
... 897, 898. bagad. 899 . to act or deal treacherously. Transliteration: bagad
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-gad') Short Definition: treacherous. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/898.htm - 6k

900. bogedoth -- treachery
... 899b, 900. bogedoth. 901 . treachery. Transliteration: bogedoth Phonetic Spelling:
(bohg-ed-ohth) Short Definition: treacherous. ... treacherous. ...
/hebrew/900.htm - 6k

7451a. ra -- bad, evil
... 1), harmful (3), man (1), miserable (1), misfortune* (1), sad (4), selfish* (1),
serious (1), severe (2), sore (2), threats* (1), treacherous (1), trouble* (1 ...
/hebrew/7451a.htm - 6k

4820. mirmah -- deceit, treachery
... treachery NASB Word Usage deceit (21), deceitful (6), deceitfully (2), deception
(2), deceptive (1), dishonest (1), false (3), treacherous (1), treachery (2). ...
/hebrew/4820.htm - 6k

2519. chalaqlaqqoth -- smoothness
... flattery, slippery. By reduplication from chalaq; properly, something very smooth;
ie A treacherous spot; figuratively, blandishment -- flattery, slippery. ...
/hebrew/2519.htm - 6k

7423a. remiyyah -- deceit, treachery
... Word Origin from ramah Definition deceit, treachery NASB Word Usage deceit (4),
deceitful (4), treacherous (1), what is deceitful (1). 7423, 7423a. ...
/hebrew/7423a.htm - 5k

Treacherous Friendship, and Idolatrous Practices of Licinius.
... Book II. Chapter XV."Treacherous Friendship, and Idolatrous Practices of
Licinius. And inasmuch as he who had lately fled before ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xv treacherous friendship and idolatrous.htm

Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded ...
... CHAPTER XV. HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION ASSISTED BY SENSIBLE OBJECTS, AND GUARDED
AGAINST A TREACHEROUS HEART. It is difficult to maintain ...
/.../the saints everlasting rest/chapter xv heavenly contemplation assisted.htm

Again they are Treacherous, and are Ready to Change Themselves ...
... Life of Antony. Section 25. Again they are treacherous, and are ready
to change themselves into all forms and? 25. Again they ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 25.htm

But the Inhabitants of this City Having Determined to Continue in ...
... When I had given him that leave, which I did without the least knowledge of his
treacherous intentions beforehand, he took his band of robbers, and made haste ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 22 but the inhabitants.htm

To Act Well of Greater Consequence than to Speak Well.
... of speech devoid of superfluity and nicety, must be cultivated by him who has adopted
the true life, if we are to abandon luxury as treacherous and profligate ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter x to act well of.htm

His Earliest Oracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. )
... there playing the harlot.7. And I said, After she has done all these things can
she return to Me?"and she did not return.8. And her treacherous sister Judah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 his earliest oracles ii.htm

How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; and How their Father ...
... your endeavors, as you have promised, to receive us into your fortress." After this
writing was produced, Herod had no doubt about the treacherous designs of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how eurycles falsely.htm

Ephesians iv. 31
... Have ye a mind that I again make what I am saying plain to you by an instance, by
setting before you the portraits of a treacherous and a guileless man? ...
/.../homily xv ephesians iv 31.htm

Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved?
... only flatterers and base, in vehemently pretending that things which are disagreeable
give them pleasure, but also godless and treacherous; godless, because ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/who is the rich man.htm

On the Use of Ointments and Crowns.
... shall teach us that Judas the deceitful is meant: "He that dippeth with Me in the
dish, the same shall betray Me." [1458] You see the treacherous guest, and ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter viii on the use of.htm

Treacherous (34 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Treacherous (34 Occurrences). Acts ... Macedonia. (DBY).
2 Timothy 3:4 treacherous, headstrong, self-important. ...
/t/treacherous.htm - 16k

Dealers (16 Occurrences)
... Psalms 25:3 Also let none waiting on Thee be ashamed, Let the treacherous dealers
without cause be ashamed. ... Favour not any treacherous dealers of iniquity. ...
/d/dealers.htm - 11k

Faithless (46 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Not true to allegiance, duty, or vows; perfidious; treacherous; disloyal;
not of true fidelity; inconstant, as a husband or a wife. ...
/f/faithless.htm - 20k

Treachery (18 Occurrences)
... And I say, 'Leanness 'is' to me, Leanness 'is' to me, wo 'is' to me.' Treacherous
dealers dealt treacherously, Yea, treachery, treacherous dealers dealt ...
/t/treachery.htm - 12k

Dealer (5 Occurrences)
... saying. (WEY NIV). Proverbs 21:18 The wicked 'is' an atonement for the righteous,
And for the upright the treacherous dealer. (YLT). ...
/d/dealer.htm - 8k

Treacherously (42 Occurrences)
... Favour not any treacherous dealers of iniquity. Selah. (See RSV). ... But I said, "I
pine away! I pine away! woe is me!" The treacherous have dealt treacherously. ...
/t/treacherously.htm - 19k

Judas (42 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The disciple who betrayed Christ. Hence: A treacherous person; one who betrays
under the semblance of friendship. 2. (a.) Treacherous; betraying. Int. ...
/j/judas.htm - 45k

Leanness (4 Occurrences)
... the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous
dealers have dealt very treacherously. (KJV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/l/leanness.htm - 7k

Backsliding (19 Occurrences)
... I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery,
I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce, yet treacherous Judah, her ...
/b/backsliding.htm - 12k

Spoiler (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS WBS). Isaiah 21:2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous
dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. ...
/s/spoiler.htm - 11k

What can ordinary people do about sinful religious leaders (Zephaniah 3:4)? | GotQuestions.org

Why does God allow the innocent to suffer? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Judas Iscariot? | GotQuestions.org

Treacherous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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