In the context of the Bible, "tricks" often refer to deceitful actions or schemes intended to mislead or manipulate others. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings regarding the use of trickery, emphasizing the moral and spiritual implications of such behavior.

Old Testament Examples

1. Jacob and Esau: One of the most notable instances of trickery in the Old Testament is the account of Jacob and Esau. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for his elder brother Esau. Genesis 27:35 states, "But Isaac replied, 'Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.'" This act of trickery leads to significant familial strife and long-term consequences for Jacob.

2. Laban and Jacob: Jacob himself becomes a victim of trickery when his uncle Laban deceives him into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, whom he loved. Genesis 29:25 recounts Jacob's realization: "So in the morning, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, 'What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?'"

3. The Gibeonites: In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites use trickery to secure a peace treaty with the Israelites. They disguise themselves as travelers from a distant land to avoid destruction. Joshua 9:4 describes their actions: "they acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying old sacks on their donkeys, and old wineskins, cracked and mended."

New Testament Teachings

1. Jesus and the Pharisees: The New Testament records instances where the Pharisees and other religious leaders attempt to trick Jesus with their questions, hoping to trap Him in His words. In Matthew 22:15 , it is written, "Then the Pharisees went out and plotted to trap Jesus in His words."

2. Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira attempt to deceive the early church by withholding part of the proceeds from the sale of their property while claiming to donate the entire amount. Acts 5:3 states, "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?'"

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently condemns deceit and trickery, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and integrity. Proverbs 12:22 declares, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." The Scriptures encourage believers to live honestly and transparently, reflecting the character of God, who is truth.

Warnings Against Deception

The Bible warns against being deceived by others and cautions believers to be vigilant. Ephesians 5:6 advises, "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience." This admonition underscores the need for discernment and adherence to biblical truth.

Conclusion

While the Bible provides numerous examples of trickery, it consistently upholds the values of honesty and integrity. Believers are called to reject deceitful practices and to live in a manner that honors God and reflects His truth.5231. nekel -- wiliness, craft, knavery
... 5230, 5231. nekel. 5232 . wiliness, craft, knavery. Transliteration: nekel
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-kel) Short Definition: tricks. ...
/hebrew/5231.htm - 6k

More Tricks.
... Homily VIII. Chapter XIV."More Tricks. "Therefore shunning and hating us
they are deceived, not knowing how it happens that they ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xiv more tricks.htm

The Burning ??sculapius; Tricks with Fire.
... Book IV. Chapter XXXIII."The Burning ??sculapius; Tricks with Fire. But after
he discontinues uttering these jests, a fiery ??sculapius ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the burning aesculapius tricks.htm

None of These Answers Will You Give Us. You Turn to Other Things ...
... us. You turn to other things, and by your tricks and shew of words prevent
us from paying close attention to the question. What! ...
/.../5 none of these answers.htm

But Let us See what those Statements of his are which Follow Next ...
... are which follow next in these words: "Nay, we see, indeed, that even those individuals,
who in the market-places perform the most disgraceful tricks, and who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter l but let us.htm

Observe Now with Regard to the Following Statement of Celsus...
... Observe now with regard to the following statement of Celsus, "We see also those
persons who in the market-places perform most disreputable tricks, and collect ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lii observe now with.htm

The Jew Continues his Address to those of his Countrymen who are ...
... Yet how many others are there who practise such juggling tricks, in order to deceive
their simple hearers, and who make gain by their deception?"as was the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lv the jew continues.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Fourth Objection.
... to talk of a real, certain and stupendous miracle, especially where the jugler and
pretended worker of miracles has been detected in some of his other tricks. ...
/.../section iv answer to mr.htm

My Brother Eusebius Writes to Me That, when He was at a Meeting of ...
... It was impossible for him, accomplished as he was, to copy any style and manner
of writing, whatever their value may be; amidst all his tricks and his ...
/.../24 my brother eusebius writes.htm

Book Four this is the Story of his Years among the Manicheans. ...
... And yet, O Lord, thou knowest that I really preferred to have honest scholars (or
what were esteemed as such) and, without tricks of speech, I taught these ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book four this is the.htm

How Moses and Aaron Returned into Egypt to Pharaoh.
... king very angry with him and called him an ill man, who had formerly run away from
his Egyptian slavery, and came now back with deceitful tricks, and wonders ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how moses and.htm

Tricks (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tricks (9 Occurrences). Acts ... shame. We practice
no cunning tricks, nor do we adulterate God's Message. ...
/t/tricks.htm - 9k

Trick (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A sly, dexterous, or ingenious procedure fitted to puzzle or amuse;
as, a bear's tricks; a juggler's tricks. 3. (a.) Mischievous ...
/t/trick.htm - 10k

Knavery (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Dishonesty; deceitfulness; petty tricks; fraud;
trickery; as, a knavish action. 2. (n.) Roguish or mischievous tricks. ...
/k/knavery.htm - 7k

Deceits (9 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:14 So that we may be no longer children, sent this way and that, turned
about by every wind of teaching, by the twisting and tricks of men, by the ...
/d/deceits.htm - 9k

Triclinium

/t/triclinium.htm - 8k

Vicious (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a
vicious horse. 6. (a.) Bitter; spiteful; malignant. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/v/vicious.htm - 7k

Nets (33 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 140:5 The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching
nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah.) (BBE). ...
/n/nets.htm - 15k

Unbalanced (3 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Samuel 21:15 Are there not enough unbalanced men about me, that
you have let this person come and do such tricks before me? ...
/u/unbalanced.htm - 7k

Underhanded (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Sneaky; deceptive; clandestine; as underhanded
negotiating tricks. 2. (a.) Insufficiently provided ...
/u/underhanded.htm - 7k

Wily (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Full of tricks, or stratagems; clever; using craft
or stratagem to accomplish a purpose; mischievously artful; subtle. ...
/w/wily.htm - 7k

How are magicians / illusionists able to levitate / perform levitation tricks? | GotQuestions.org

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Tricks: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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