In the context of the Bible, the term "liers" typically refers to those who lie in wait, often with the intent to ambush or deceive. This concept is frequently associated with treachery, deceit, and the hidden dangers posed by those who seek to harm others through stealth and cunning.

Old Testament References

The notion of lying in wait is vividly illustrated in the Old Testament, where it often describes military tactics or personal treachery. In the book of Judges, the account of the ambush against the city of Ai provides a clear example. Joshua 8:4-5 states, "And he commanded them, saying, 'Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.'"

Similarly, in the narrative of Samson, the Philistines use liers in wait to capture him. Judges 16:9 recounts, "While the men were hidden in the room, she called to him, 'Samson, the Philistines are upon you!' But he snapped the bowstrings as a strand of yarn snaps when it touches a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered."

Moral and Ethical Implications

The act of lying in wait is often condemned in the Scriptures as it embodies deceit and betrayal. Proverbs 1:11-12 warns against joining those who plot harm: "If they say, 'Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.'"

The ethical teachings of the Bible consistently discourage deceit and treachery, urging believers to live in truth and integrity. The Psalms frequently contrast the righteous with the wicked, who are described as those who lie in wait to shed innocent blood. Psalm 10:8 describes such individuals: "He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "liers," the concept of deceit and hidden malice is addressed. Jesus warns His followers about false prophets and those who would lead them astray through deception. In Matthew 7:15 , He cautions, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."

The apostle Paul also speaks against deceit and the hidden schemes of those who oppose the truth. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 , he writes, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness."

Spiritual Warfare

The concept of liers in wait can also be understood in the context of spiritual warfare. Believers are admonished to be vigilant against the schemes of the devil, who seeks to deceive and destroy. Ephesians 6:11 instructs, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes."

In summary, the biblical portrayal of liers in wait serves as a powerful metaphor for the dangers of deceit and the importance of vigilance and righteousness in the life of a believer. The Scriptures consistently call for a life of integrity, truth, and awareness of the spiritual battles that believers face.

Holding Fast and Held Fast
... for His mercy endureth for ever.' That was all that men had to do in the battle,
for as the shrill song rose in the morning air 'the Lord set liers in wait for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/holding fast and held fast.htm

Whether Effeminacy* is Opposed to Perseverance? [*Mollities ...
... For a gloss on 1:Cor.6:9,10, "Nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor liers with
mankind," expounds the text thus: "Effeminate"-ie obscene, given to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether effeminacy is opposed to.htm

The Crowning of Abimelech
... And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him on the tops of the mountains, and
they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the crowning of abimelech.htm

The First Epistle. To all the Ministers of the Church Catholic.
... Watch the nooses of the liers in wait, by which they are wont to strangle associates
and comrades. Follow not such, but keep them far off from you. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/the first epistle to all.htm

1 Timothy i. 7-May
... of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them
that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liers, for perjured ...
/.../homily ii 1 timothy i.htm

Psalm LVI.
... However "they shall sojourn and hide," however deceitful they be, however dissemblers
and liers in wait they be; do thou pray for them, and do not say, Shall ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lvi.htm

The Properties of Sanctifying Grace
... but expressly designates certain mortal sins as a bar to Heaven: "Neither fornicators,
nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the properties of.htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... Why fill thy vessel with overwhelming cargoes? If thou be lightly equipped, thou
shalt have nothing to fear, no envy, no robbers, no liers in wait. ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 1
... of all most easily taken through their natural timidity, but the wild boar, and
the bull, and the lion, would not easily fall in the way of the liers-in-wait ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxv 1 cor xiv.htm

Liers (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Liers (11 Occurrences). Luke 20:20 And, having watched
'him', they sent forth liers in wait, feigning themselves ...
/l/liers.htm - 10k

Liers-in-wait (10 Occurrences)
Liers-in-wait. Liersinwait, Liers-in-wait. Lies . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia LIERS-IN-WAIT. li-erz-in-wat' (Judges ...
/l/liers-in-wait.htm - 10k

Wait (223 Occurrences)
... Luke 20:20 And, having watched 'him', they sent forth liers in wait, feigning
themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his word, to deliver him ...
/w/wait.htm - 41k

Liersinwait
Liersinwait. Liers, Liersinwait. Liers-in-wait . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LIERS-IN-WAIT. li-erz-in-wat' (Judges 9:25; Judges 16:12; Judges 20:36). ...
/l/liersinwait.htm - 6k

Rear (46 Occurrences)
... Joshua 8:4 and commandeth them, saying, 'See, ye are liers in wait against the city,
at the rear of the city, ye go not very far off from the city, and all of ...
/r/rear.htm - 21k

Brake (80 Occurrences)
... Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake
them from off his arms like a thread. (KJV ASV). Judges ...
/b/brake.htm - 34k

Hasted (35 Occurrences)
... of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time
appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush ...
/h/hasted.htm - 17k

Haste (106 Occurrences)
... of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time
appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush ...
/h/haste.htm - 41k

Hastened (48 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:37 And the liers-in-wait hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah; and the
liers-in-wait drew themselves along, and smote all the city with the edge of the ...
/h/hastened.htm - 20k

Lier-in-wait (2 Occurrences)
Lier-in-wait. Lier, Lier-in-wait. Liers . Multi-Version Concordance
Lier-in-wait (2 Occurrences). ... (ASV JPS). Lier, Lier-in-wait. Liers . Reference
/l/lier-in-wait.htm - 7k

Can God lie? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus lie to His brothers in John 7:8 10? | GotQuestions.org

Is it ever right to lie? | GotQuestions.org

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