The term "surreptitiously" refers to actions done secretly or stealthily, often to avoid notice or detection. In the context of the Bible, surreptitious actions are typically associated with deceit, cunning, or the concealment of true intentions. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who acted surreptitiously, often with negative connotations, as such actions are generally contrary to the values of truth and transparency upheld in Scripture.

Old Testament Examples

1. Jacob and Esau: One of the most notable examples of surreptitious behavior in the Old Testament is Jacob's deception of his father Isaac to receive the blessing intended for his brother Esau. In Genesis 27, Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, disguises himself to appear as Esau, thereby surreptitiously obtaining the blessing. This act of deceit leads to significant familial strife and long-term consequences.

2. Laban's Deception: In Genesis 29, Laban acts surreptitiously by substituting Leah for Rachel on Jacob's wedding night. Jacob, who had worked seven years to marry Rachel, is deceived into marrying Leah instead. This act of stealth and deception results in further complications and tensions within the family.

3. The Gibeonites: In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites act surreptitiously by disguising themselves as travelers from a distant land to make a peace treaty with the Israelites. Their deception is successful, and the Israelites, without seeking God's counsel, make a covenant with them. This incident highlights the importance of discernment and seeking divine guidance.

New Testament Examples

1. Judas Iscariot: Judas's betrayal of Jesus is a prime example of surreptitious behavior in the New Testament. In Matthew 26:14-16, Judas secretly conspires with the chief priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His clandestine actions culminate in the arrest of Jesus, leading to His crucifixion.

2. Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira attempt to deceive the early church by surreptitiously withholding part of the proceeds from the sale of their property while claiming to donate the entire amount. Their deceit is exposed by the Holy Spirit, resulting in their sudden deaths as a divine judgment.

Biblical Teachings on Surreptitious Behavior

The Bible consistently warns against deceit and secretive actions that are intended to mislead or harm others. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a lying tongue" and "a heart that devises wicked schemes" among the things the Lord detests. Ephesians 4:25 exhorts believers to "put away falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor," emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity.

In contrast to surreptitious behavior, the Bible encourages transparency and truthfulness. Jesus, in His teachings, often highlighted the value of living in the light and being open in one's actions and intentions. In John 3:20-21, He states, "Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God."

Overall, the biblical narrative underscores the principle that while surreptitious actions may achieve short-term gains, they ultimately lead to negative consequences and are contrary to the character of God, who is truth and light.3919. pareisago -- to introduce, to bring in secretly
... introduce secretly. From para and eisago; to lead in aside, ie Introduce
surreptitiously -- privily bring in. see GREEK para. see GREEK eisago. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3919.htm - 7k

1455. egkathetos -- hired to lie in wait, lying in wait
... spy. From en and a derivative of kathiemi; subinduced, ie Surreptitiously suborned
as a lier-in-wait -- spy. see GREEK en. see GREEK kathiemi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1455.htm - 6k

Translator's Preface.
... treatise itself when actually completed, informs us that a portion of it, while
it was still unrevised and incomplete, was in fact surreptitiously made public ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the holy trinity/translators preface.htm

Epistle viii. To Boniface, Deacon.
... This, however, we briefly mention, that an order having been surreptitiously obtained
from the late Emperor Mauricius, which order, having been given in ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle viii to boniface deacon.htm

Introduction
... A prosperous uncle proposed to pay it surreptitiously for him, but the honest-minded
youth discovered the plan and refused to accept the well meant kindness ...
/.../pringle/the record of a quaker conscience cyrus pringles diary/introduction.htm

To the Reader
... our selves, I have at present represented unto the world a full and intended Copy
of that Piece, which was most imperfectly and surreptitiously published before ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/to the reader.htm

Men and Mannerisms
... On one occasion some friends surreptitiously cut the particular button off, and
the result was that the speaker when he stood up to address the audience lost ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/men and mannerisms.htm

The Epistle of Judas
... finally and fully entrusted to the saints (ie to those called and set apart by God
for Himself), 4a novel abuse of it has been surreptitiously introduced by ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of judas.htm

Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... unauthorized accretion to the text of Scripture is not a gloss': but only those
explanatory words or clauses which have surreptitiously insinuated themselves ...
/.../chapter xii causes of corruption.htm

Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ...
... Then, setting down his portmanteau on a bench, he surreptitiously tore off the label
on which his name was written, and tearing it up in small bits scattered ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxi meanwhile florian varillo had.htm

The Looks of Jesus
... It told her that she had not surreptitiously stolen healing, but that He had
knowingly given it, and that His loving pity went with it. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the looks of jesus.htm

Letter cxxiv. To Avitus.
... Moreover, since a bulky treatise on an abstruse subject is difficult to reproduce
with accuracy, especially if it has to be taken down surreptitiously and in a ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiv to avitus.htm

Surreptitiously (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Surreptitiously (1 Occurrence). Galatians 2:4 and it
was on account of the false brethren brought in surreptitiously...
/s/surreptitiously.htm - 6k

Surround (39 Occurrences)

/s/surround.htm - 17k

Murderers (9 Occurrences)
... of whom there were bands in the pay of agitators in Rome in the last days of the
Republic, who employed them to remove surreptitiously their political opponents ...
/m/murderers.htm - 10k

Siloam (4 Occurrences)
... The Siloam inscription above referred to was surreptitiously cut from
the wall of the tunnel in 1891 and broken into fragments. ...
/s/siloam.htm - 21k

Surrenders (2 Occurrences)

/s/surrenders.htm - 7k

Salt (45 Occurrences)
... As salt-gathering is a government monopoly in Turkey, the government sends men to
pollute the salt which is being surreptitiously crystallized, so as to make ...
/s/salt.htm - 34k

English
... name of the translator, was shipped to England early in 1526; and by 1530 six editions
of the New Testament in English (three surreptitiously) were distributed ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

Versions
... name of the translator, was shipped to England early in 1526; and by 1530 six editions
of the New Testament in English (three surreptitiously) were distributed ...
/v/versions.htm - 81k

David (1052 Occurrences)
... of other clay than his brothers, and he anointed him as he had done Saul (1 Samuel
10:1). But whereas the anointing of Saul was done surreptitiously and for a ...
/d/david.htm - 93k

Surreptitiously: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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