In the biblical context, "plottings" refer to the secretive and often deceitful plans or schemes devised by individuals or groups to achieve a particular end, usually one that is contrary to God's will or harmful to others. The Bible provides numerous examples of such plottings, highlighting the moral and spiritual dangers they pose.

Old Testament Examples

1. Joseph's Brothers: One of the earliest examples of plottings in the Bible is found in the account of Joseph and his brothers. Motivated by jealousy, Joseph's brothers conspired to kill him but ultimately decided to sell him into slavery. Genesis 37:18-20 states, "Now 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 driven by personal vendetta against Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow to him. Esther 3:6 records, "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 downfall. Daniel 6:4-5 notes, "Thus the administrators and satraps sought 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 Pharisees and Jesus: The Pharisees frequently plotted against Jesus, seeking to trap Him in His words and ultimately to kill Him. Matthew 12:14 states, "But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus."

2. Judas Iscariot's Betrayal: Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus is one of the most infamous plots in the New Testament. Motivated by greed, Judas conspired with the chief priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-16 recounts, "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus."

3. The Plot to Kill Paul: The Apostle Paul also faced numerous plots against his life. In Acts 23:12-13 , it is recorded, "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."

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays plottings as actions that stem from sinful desires such as jealousy, greed, and hatred. These schemes are often carried out in secret, reflecting a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and justice. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a heart that devises wicked schemes" among the things the Lord detests. The biblical narrative warns believers to guard their hearts against such deceit and to trust in God's righteous plans.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, plottings are shown to be ultimately futile against the sovereign will of God. Despite human schemes, God's purposes prevail, as seen in the accounts of Joseph, Esther, Daniel, and Jesus. Believers are called to live with integrity, trusting in God's justice and timing, and to avoid the pitfalls of deceitful plottings.

Priestly Plottings
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 59 Priestly Plottings. [This chapter is based
on John 11:47-54.] Bethany was so near Jerusalem that the ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 59 priestly plottings.htm

2 Cor. xiii. 1
... Persecutions, plottings, insults, trials, assaults. ... xii.8, 9.) What is "in weakness?"
In persecutions, in dangers, in trials, in plottings, in deaths. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxix 2 cor xiii.htm

The Desire of Ages
... Chapter 57 "One Thing Thou Lackest". Chapter 58 "Lazarus, Come Forth". Chapter 59
Priestly Plottings. Chapter 60 The Law of the New Kingdom. Chapter 61 Zacchaeus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thadd??us,
... the lame, and the paralytic, and curest all the demoniacs; and on this account I
entreat thy goodness to come even to us, and escape from the plottings of the ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thaddaeus/acts of the holy apostle.htm

Since These Things are So, Suffer Me Awhile...
... O servants of God, soldiers of Christ, is it thus ye dissemble the plottings of
our most crafty foe, who fearing your good fame, that so goodly odor of Christ ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 36 since these things.htm

Zacchaeus
... It was known that the Galilean Rabbi who had so lately brought Lazarus to life was
in the throng; and though whispers were rife as to the plottings of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 61 zacchaeus.htm

Of Justice Known to All, but not Embraced; of the True Temple of ...
... of one God; and, therefore, among those who were connected by the sacred and inviolable
bond of divine relationship, there would be no plottings, inasmuch as ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap viii of justice known to.htm

Epistle xxxi. To Phocas, Emperor .
... processes at law being exposed. Let plottings about wills cease, and
benevolences exacted by force. Let secure possession of their ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxi to phocas emperor.htm

John i. 11
... Wherefore continually [233] he treats of his persecution, his plottings, his wars
against the Church, at one time saying, "I am not meet to be called an Apostle ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily x john i 11.htm

2 Cor. v. 1
... The word "of good courage" is used with reference to the persecutions, the plottings,
and the continual deaths: as if he had said, Doth any vex and persecute ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily x 2 cor v.htm

Plottings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Plottings (1 Occurrence). Psalms 31:20 In the covert
of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the plottings...
/p/plottings.htm - 6k

Plotting (13 Occurrences)

/p/plotting.htm - 9k

Plough (11 Occurrences)

/p/plough.htm - 11k

Plots (20 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 31:20 Thou hidest them in the covert of Thy presence from the
plottings of man; Thou concealest them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. ...
/p/plots.htm - 11k

Concealest (1 Occurrence)
... Psalms 31:20 In the covert of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the plottings
of man: Thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues ...
/c/concealest.htm - 6k

Covert (18 Occurrences)
... Psalms 31:20 In the covert of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the plottings
of man: Thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues ...
/c/covert.htm - 12k

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