In the biblical narrative, plots often refer to secret plans or schemes devised by individuals or groups to achieve a particular end, usually through deceit or treachery. The Bible provides numerous accounts of plots, both against individuals and against God’s chosen people, illustrating the moral and spiritual battles that characterize human history.

Old Testament Examples

1. Joseph and His Brothers: One of the earliest examples of a plot in the Bible is the conspiracy of Joseph's brothers against him. Driven by jealousy, they plotted to kill him but ultimately sold him into slavery. This event is recorded in Genesis 37:18-20: "When Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. 'Here comes that dreamer!' they said to one another. 'Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!'"

2. Haman’s Plot Against the Jews: In the book of Esther, Haman, an official in the Persian Empire, plotted to annihilate the Jewish people. His scheme was ultimately thwarted by Queen Esther, who revealed the plot to King Xerxes. Esther 3:6 states, "And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, Haman scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, he sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes."

3. The Conspiracy Against Daniel: Daniel faced a plot against him by jealous officials who sought to eliminate him by manipulating King Darius into signing a decree that would lead to Daniel’s punishment. Daniel 6:4-5 records, "Thus the administrators and satraps sought to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Finally these men said, 'We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless it is against the law of his God.'"

New Testament Examples

1. The Plot to Kill Jesus: The Gospels recount the plot by the religious leaders to kill Jesus, which ultimately led to His crucifixion. In Matthew 26:3-4, it is written, "At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him."

2. The Plot Against Paul: The Apostle Paul faced numerous plots against his life during his ministry. One such plot is described in Acts 23:12-13: "When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty of them were involved in this plot."

Theological Implications

Plots in the Bible often highlight the conflict between human sinfulness and divine sovereignty. While human beings may devise schemes for evil, God’s providential plan ultimately prevails. This is evident in the account of Joseph, where what his brothers intended for harm, God used for good (Genesis 50:20). Similarly, the plot against Jesus, though intended for evil, resulted in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

The Bible also warns against engaging in deceitful schemes. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a heart that devises wicked schemes" among the things the Lord detests. Believers are called to live with integrity and trust in God’s justice, knowing that He will bring every deed into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

Moral Lessons

The accounts of plots in the Bible serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of envy, pride, and deceit. They remind believers of the importance of faithfulness, integrity, and reliance on God’s wisdom and protection. As seen in the lives of Joseph, Esther, and Daniel, God’s faithful servants are often vindicated, and His purposes are accomplished despite human machinations.4189. poneria -- iniquity
... iniquity, wickedness. From poneros; depravity, ie (specially), malice; plural
(concretely) plots, sins -- iniquity, wickedness. see GREEK poneros. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4189.htm - 7k

1917. epiboule -- a plan against
... Word Origin from epi and boule Definition a plan against NASB Word Usage
plot (2), plot...against (1), plots (1). lying in wait. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1917.htm - 6k

2161. zamam -- to consider, purpose, devise
... root Definition to consider, purpose, devise NASB Word Usage considers (1), intended
(1), plots (1), plotted (1), purpose (1), purposed (7), schemed (1). ...
/hebrew/2161.htm - 6k

4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... device NASB Word Usage design (1), designs (3), devised (1), intentions* (1), invented
(1), inventive (1), plan (2), plans (14), plot (1), plots (1), plotting ...
/hebrew/4284.htm - 6k

4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion, device
... Definition purpose, discretion, device NASB Word Usage devises evil (1), discretion
(5), evil devices (1), intent (1), plans (1), plot (1), plots (1), purpose ...
/hebrew/4209.htm - 6k

Heathen Plots
... After the Exile Chapter 55 Heathen Plots. [This chapter is based on Nehemiah
6..] Sanballat and his confederates dared not make open ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 55 heathen plots.htm

November the Eleventh Foiling the Enemy's Plots
... NOVEMBER The Eleventh FOILING THE ENEMY'S PLOTS. LUKE xxii.24-34. I do not meet
my tempter alone. The engagement has been foreseen by my Lord. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/november the eleventh foiling the.htm

Bad Ecclesiastics and Base Plots
... BOOK III CHAPTER XXXIX BAD ECCLESIASTICS AND BASE PLOTS. The priests thereof
teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for ...
/.../chapter xxxix bad ecclesiastics and.htm

Or Haply is it So, that He who Plots in this Way to Find...
... Section 13. Or haply is it so, that he who plots in this way to find?
13. Or haply is it so, that he who plots in this way to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 13 or haply is.htm

Concerning John of Gichala. Josephus Uses Stratagems against the ...
... Concerning John Of Gichala. Josephus Uses Stratagems Against The Plots John Laid
Against Him And Recovers Certain Cities Which Had Revolted From Him. ...
/.../chapter 21 concerning john of.htm

Flight of Constantine to his Father Because of the Plots of ...
... eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter XX."Flight of Constantine to his Father
because of the Plots of Diocletian. The emperors then ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xx flight of constantine to.htm

Calamities Suffered by the People after the Expulsion of John. The ...
... Book VIII. Chapter XXI."Calamities suffered by the People after the Expulsion
of John. The Plots against him of Assassination. ...
/.../chapter xxi calamities suffered by the.htm

Concerning Zamaris, the Babylonian Jew; Concerning the Plots Laid ...
... CHAPTER 2. Concerning Zamaris, The Babylonian Jew; Concerning The Plots Laid By
Antipater Against His Father; And Somewhat About The Pharisees. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning zamaris the.htm

The Subsequent Wickedness of Licinius, and his Death.
... 5. But Licinius, on the contrary, pursued a course directly opposite to this; forming
daily all kinds of plots against his superior, and devising all sorts of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter viii the subsequent wickedness of.htm

Matt. vii. 21
... floods," and "winds," He is expressing metaphorically the calamities and afflictions
that befall men; such as false accusations, plots, bereavements, deaths ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxiv matt vii 21.htm

Plots (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Plots (20 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Psalms 36:4 He plots
iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. ...
/p/plots.htm - 11k

Plot (53 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Psalms 37:12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him
with his teeth. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/plot.htm - 22k

Plotted (21 Occurrences)

/p/plotted.htm - 12k

Lowliness (9 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:19 serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with
trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; (ASV DBY). ...
/l/lowliness.htm - 8k

Gnashes (4 Occurrences)
... eyes upon me. (See NIV). Psalms 37:12 The wicked plots against the just,
and gnashes at him with his teeth. (WEB NAS RSV). Psalms 112 ...
/g/gnashes.htm - 7k

Gnash (12 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 37:12 The wicked
plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. ...
/g/gnash.htm - 12k

Irrigation
... The water is brought in channels to the gardens, where it is distributed in turn
to the different square plots bounded by banks of earth, or along the rows of ...
/i/irrigation.htm - 9k

Felix (11 Occurrences)
... But Lysias, finding that Paul was a Roman citizen, and that therefore the secret
plots against the life of his captive might entail serious consequences upon ...
/f/felix.htm - 15k

Trials (11 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials
which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; (WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV). ...
/t/trials.htm - 9k

Treachery (18 Occurrences)
... all day long. (See NAS RSV). Psalms 52:2 Your tongue plots destruction, like
a sharp razor, working deceitfully. (See RSV). Psalms 55 ...
/t/treachery.htm - 12k

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