Topical Bible: Devise

Jump to: Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "devise" in the Bible often refers to the act of planning or plotting, whether for good or evil purposes. It is a concept that appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, highlighting the intentions and thoughts of individuals and groups.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as "devise" is "חָשַׁב" (chashab), which means to think, plan, or calculate. This term is frequently used in the context of both righteous and wicked plans.

1. Righteous Plans: In Proverbs 16:3, the idea of devising is linked to committing one's works to the Lord: "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved." Here, the emphasis is on aligning one's plans with God's will, suggesting that righteous devising involves seeking divine guidance and approval.

2. Wicked Schemes: Conversely, the Bible warns against devising evil. Proverbs 6:18 lists "a heart that devises wicked schemes" among the things the Lord hates. Similarly, in Micah 2:1, the prophet condemns those who "devise iniquity and work out evil on their beds." These passages illustrate the moral implications of devising plans that are contrary to God's commandments.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "ἐπινοέω" (epinoeo) is used, which also means to think or plan. The New Testament continues the theme of contrasting godly and ungodly devising.

1. Godly Wisdom: James 3:17 speaks of the wisdom from above, which is "first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere." This wisdom guides believers in devising plans that reflect God's character and purposes.

2. Evil Intentions: The New Testament also addresses the devising of evil, as seen in Acts 4:25, where the apostles quote Psalm 2:1, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?" This reflects the futility of devising plans against God's anointed.

Theological Implications

The concept of devising in the Bible underscores the importance of the heart's intentions. Jeremiah 17:9 warns, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This highlights the need for believers to seek God's wisdom and guidance in their planning.

Practical Application

For Christians, the act of devising should be approached with prayer and a desire to align with God's will. 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 encourages believers to submit their plans to God, ensuring that their devising is rooted in faith and obedience.

In summary, the biblical concept of devising encompasses both the potential for righteous planning and the danger of wicked scheming. It calls believers to examine their hearts and seek God's guidance in all their plans.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. t.) To formulate by thought; to contrive; to invent; to scheme; as, to devise a plan of defense, or an argument.

2. (v. t.) To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain.

3. (v. t.) To say; to relate; to describe.

4. (v. t.) To imagine; to guess.

5. (v. t.) To give by will; -- used of real estate; formerly, also, of chattels.

6. (v. i.) To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider.

7. (n.) The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; -- sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal estate.

8. (n.) A will or testament, conveying real estate; the clause of a will making a gift of real property.

9. (n.) Property devised, or given by will.

10. (n.) Device. See Device.

Greek

3191. meletao -- to care for, practice, study
... to care for, practice, study. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: meletao Phonetic
Spelling: (mel-et-ah'-o) Short Definition: I devise, plan Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3191.htm - 6k

4679. sophizo -- to make wise
... Word Origin from sophos Definition to make wise NASB Word Usage cleverly
devised (1), give...wisdom (1). cunningly devise, make wise. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4679.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

2161. zamam -- to consider, purpose, devise
... 2160, 2161. zamam. 2162 . to consider, purpose, devise. Transliteration: zamam
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-mam') Short Definition: purposed. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/2161.htm - 6k

908. bada -- to devise, invent
... 907, 908. bada. 909 . to devise, invent. Transliteration: bada Phonetic Spelling:
(baw-daw') Short Definition: devised. Word Origin a prim. ... devise, feign. ...
/hebrew/908.htm - 5k

2790. charash -- to cut in, engrave, plow, devise
... 2789, 2790. charash. 2790a . to cut in, engrave, plow, devise. Transliteration:
charash Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-rash') Short Definition: altogether. ...
/hebrew/2790.htm - 6k

2790a. charash -- to cut in, engrave, plow, devise
... 2790, 2790a. charash. 2790b . to cut in, engrave, plow, devise.
Transliteration: charash Short Definition: plow. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2790a.htm - 5k

2803. chashab -- to think, account
... Usage accounting (1), calculate (5), composed (1), consider (3), considered (13),
counted (1), counts (1), designer (1), determined (1), devise (13), devised (8 ...
/hebrew/2803.htm - 6k

3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... advertise, take advise, advise well, consult, give, take counsel, determine,
devise,. A primitive root; to advise; reflexively, to ...
/hebrew/3289.htm - 6k

5779. uts -- to counsel, plan
... 5778, 5779. uts. 5780 . to counsel, plan. Transliteration: uts Phonetic
Spelling: (oots) Short Definition: devise. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5779.htm - 5k

1819. damah -- to be like, resemble
... compare, devise, liken, mean, think, use similitudes. A primitive root;
to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider ...
/hebrew/1819.htm - 6k

2664. chaphas -- to search
... root Definition to search NASB Word Usage devise (1), disguise (2), disguised (5),
distorted (1), examine (1), hide (1), ponders (1), ransacked (1), search (6 ...
/hebrew/2664.htm - 6k

1897. hagah -- to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse
... root Definition to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse NASB Word Usage declare (1),
devise (2), devising (1), growls (1), make a sound (1), meditate (5), meditates ...
/hebrew/1897.htm - 6k

Library

Indiscreet Importunity.
... We take our ideas of happiness from what we see in other people, and have little
originality to devise any special and more appropriate enjoyment or success. ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/indiscreet importunity.htm

Gifts and Talents.
... and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and
in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise cunning works, to ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii gifts and talents.htm

Gregory Then Makes an Explanation at Length Touching the Eternal ...
... Since then this doctrine is put forth by the Truth itself, it follows that anything
which the inventors of pestilent heresies devise besides to subvert this ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 gregory then makes.htm

Whether Guile is a Sin Pertaining to Craftiness?
... with his servants." Guile is also in the heart, according to Ecclus.19:23, "His
interior is full of deceit," but this is to devise deceits, according to Ps.37 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether guile is a sin.htm

Two Senses of the Word Son, 1 Adoptive; 2 Essential; Attempts of ...
... constitution. And though we were to devise another, we must first devise
his Mediator, so that we shall never come to an end. And ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter iii two senses of the.htm

Section 11, 12. Marcellus and his Disciples, Like Arians, Say that ...
... For either He will ever be silent, or He will again beget, and will devise a different
creation (for He will not make the same, else that which was made would ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 11 12 marcellus and.htm

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... If these positions are true, it is easy to see that all fictitious worship, which
we ourselves devise for the purpose of serving God, is not in the least ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

His Charge of Cowardice is Baseless: for Basil Displayed the ...
... and promises, royal favours and ecclesiastical power to obedience, but to resistance
all that a cruel spirit which has got the power to work its will can devise ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 12 his charge of.htm

Unionism in the Ascendency.
... A committee was also appointed to confer with the German Reformed, and to devise
plans for utilizing Franklin College as a theological seminary, in order to ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/unionism in the ascendency.htm

Of Councils and their Authority.
... everything at their own pleasure, who, not contented with the oracles of Scripture,
that is, with the only rule of perfect wisdom, devise some novelty out of ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 of councils and.htm

Thesaurus

Devise (41 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To formulate by thought; to contrive; to invent; to scheme; as, to devise
a plan of defense, or an argument. ...Devise (41 Occurrences). ...
/d/devise.htm - 19k

Imagine (24 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To contrive in purpose; to scheme; to devise; to compass; to purpose. See
Compass. ... 4. (vi) To form images or conceptions; to conceive; to devise. ...
/i/imagine.htm - 14k

Devices (43 Occurrences)
... his devices. (KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT). Exodus 31:4 to devise devices to work
in gold, and in silver, and in brass, (YLT). Exodus 35:32 ...
/d/devices.htm - 18k

Device (17 Occurrences)
... But more frequently it is used in an evil sense, of a wicked purpose or plot, "Let
us devise devices against Jeremiah" (Jeremiah 18:18); "For we are not ...
/d/device.htm - 14k

Forecast (2 Occurrences)
... in the first sense that it is used in Daniel 11:24, 25 (the King James Version)
as the translation of chashabh, "to think," "meditate," "devise," "plot," "He ...
/f/forecast.htm - 8k

Plots (20 Occurrences)
... NIV). Psalms 10:2 In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are
caught in the schemes that they devise. (See NAS). Psalms ...
/p/plots.htm - 11k

Artistic (14 Occurrences)
... artistic work. (DBY). Exodus 31:4 to devise artistic work to work in gold,
and in silver, and in copper, (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 35 ...
/a/artistic.htm - 10k

Curious (18 Occurrences)
... the ephod. (KJV WBS). Exodus 31:4 To devise curious works, to work in gold,
and in silver, and in brass, (WBS). Exodus 35:32 And to ...
/c/curious.htm - 14k

Schemes (25 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Psalms 10:2 In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They
are caught in the schemes that they devise. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/s/schemes.htm - 12k

Cunning (43 Occurrences)
... James Version "a man cunning to work in gold"; 2 Chronicles 2:13 Isaiah 3:3 the
King James Version, etc.); chashabh, "to think," "devise," "desire" (Exodus 26:1 ...
/c/cunning.htm - 22k

Resources

What does the Bible say about false accusations? | GotQuestions.org

What impact did Friedrich Nietzsche have on the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being passive-aggressive? | GotQuestions.org

Devise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Devise (41 Occurrences)

Mark 3:6
But no sooner had the Pharisees left the synagogue than they held a consultation with the Herodians against Jesus, to devise some means of destroying Him.
(WEY)

Mark 11:18
This the High Priests and Scribes heard, and they began to devise means to destroy Him. For they were afraid of Him, because of the deep impression produced on all the people by His teaching.
(WEY)

Acts 4:25
who by the mouth of your servant, David, said,'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
(See NAS)

Exodus 31:4
to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 35:32
And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Exodus 35:35
Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

2 Samuel 14:14
For we must die, and are as water split on the ground, which can't be gathered up again; neither does God take away life, but devises means, that he who is banished not be an outcast from him.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 2:14
the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any manner of engraving, and to devise any device; that there may be a place appointed to him with your skillful men, and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT)

Psalms 10:2
In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise.
(WEB YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 21:11
For they stretched out against Thee evil, They devised a wicked device, they prevail not,
(Root in YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 35:4
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Psalms 35:20
For they don't speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Psalms 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me; and they that seek my hurt speak crafty devices, and utter deceits all the day.
(See NAS)

Psalms 40:17
And I 'am' poor and needy, The Lord doth devise for me. My help and my deliverer 'art' Thou, O my God, tarry Thou not.
(YLT)

Psalms 41:7
All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Psalms 52:2
The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
(Root in KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Psalms 58:2
No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.
(See RSV NIV)

Psalms 62:3
Till when do ye devise mischief against a man? Ye are destroyed all of you, As a wall inclined, a hedge that is cast down.
(YLT)

Psalms 62:4
They only consult to thrust him down from his dignity; They delight in lies; They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah
(See JPS)

Psalms 64:6
They devise iniquities: We have it ready, the plan is diligently sought out. And each one's inward thought and heart is deep.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Psalms 140:2
those who devise mischief in their hearts. They continually gather themselves together for war.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS NIV)

Psalms 140:4
Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of the wicked man, preserve me from the violent man, who devise to overthrow my steps.
(DBY YLT)

Proverbs 3:29
Don't devise evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
(ASV DBY JPS NAS RSV)

Proverbs 14:22
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Proverbs 16:30
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Proverbs 24:2
For the purposes of their hearts are destruction, and their lips are talking of trouble.
(See NAS RSV)

Isaiah 8:10
Let your designs be formed, and they will come to nothing; give your orders, and they will not be effected: for God is with us.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 18:11
Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahweh: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return you now everyone from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Jeremiah 18:18
Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Ezekiel 11:2
He said to me, Son of man, these are the men who devise iniquity, and who give wicked counsel in this city;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 38:10
Thus says the Lord Yahweh: It shall happen in that day, that things shall come into your mind, and you shall devise an evil device:
(WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 11:24
In time of security shall he come even on the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance: yes, he shall devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Daniel 11:25
He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall war in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall devise devices against him.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hosea 7:15
Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise mischief against me.
(ASV JPS NAS RSV)

Amos 6:5
that sing idle songs to the sound of the viol; that invent for themselves instruments of music, like David;
(See JPS)

Micah 2:1
Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Micah 2:3
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Nahum 1:9
What do ye devise against Jehovah? he will make a full end; affliction shall not rise up the second time.
(ASV JPS YLT NAS)

Zechariah 7:10
Don't oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.'
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Zechariah 8:17
and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate," says Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Devise

Related Terms

Devices (43 Occurrences)

Device (17 Occurrences)

Planned (34 Occurrences)

Devise (41 Occurrences)

Plot (53 Occurrences)

Numerous (88 Occurrences)

Dragged (19 Occurrences)

Plotted (21 Occurrences)

Ag'agite (5 Occurrences)