The term "wilily" is derived from the word "wily," which denotes craftiness, cunning, or deceitfulness. In the context of the Bible, it often describes actions or behaviors characterized by subtlety and trickery, typically with negative connotations. The concept of wiliness is frequently associated with the actions of individuals who employ deceit to achieve their ends, often in opposition to God's will or the well-being of others.

Biblical Instances and Themes

1. The Serpent in the Garden of Eden: One of the earliest and most prominent examples of wiliness in the Bible is the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The serpent is described as "more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made" (Genesis 3:1). The serpent's cunning nature is evident in its deceitful conversation with Eve, leading to the fall of humanity. This account highlights the dangers of wiliness when used to subvert divine commandments and truth.

2. Jacob and Esau: Jacob's acquisition of Esau's birthright and blessing is another example of wiliness. Jacob, whose name itself can mean "supplanter" or "deceiver," uses cunning to obtain the birthright from Esau in exchange for a meal (Genesis 25:29-34) and later, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29). These actions, while part of God's sovereign plan, illustrate the use of deceit to achieve personal gain.

3. The Gibeonites' Deception: In the book of Joshua, the Gibeonites employ wiliness to secure a peace treaty with the Israelites. Fearing destruction, they disguise themselves as travelers from a distant land and present themselves to Joshua and the leaders of Israel, who, without seeking God's counsel, make a covenant with them (Joshua 9:3-15). This incident underscores the importance of discernment and seeking divine guidance to avoid being misled by cunning schemes.

4. Delilah and Samson: Delilah's interactions with Samson in the book of Judges are marked by wiliness. She uses her relationship with Samson to coax him into revealing the secret of his strength, ultimately leading to his downfall (Judges 16:4-21). Delilah's actions serve as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of deceit and manipulation in personal relationships.

5. The Pharisees and Jesus: The New Testament provides examples of wiliness in the actions of the Pharisees and other religious leaders who sought to entrap Jesus with tricky questions and scenarios. In Matthew 22:15-22, the Pharisees attempt to ensnare Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus, aware of their malice, responds with wisdom, exposing their duplicity and avoiding their trap.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays wiliness as a characteristic of those who oppose God's truth and righteousness. It is often associated with deceit, manipulation, and a lack of integrity. Believers are called to be wise and discerning, avoiding the pitfalls of cunning schemes and instead walking in truth and sincerity. The Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16), emphasizing the need for both discernment and purity in navigating a world where wiliness is prevalent.

In summary, the concept of wilily in the Bible serves as a warning against the use of deceit and cunning for selfish purposes. It calls believers to uphold truth, seek God's guidance, and maintain integrity in all their dealings.6195. ormah -- craftiness, prudence
... guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom. Feminine of orem; trickery; or (in a
good sense) discretion -- guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom. ...
/hebrew/6195.htm - 6k

The Greatness of the Soul,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
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The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Wilily (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wilily (1 Occurrence). Joshua 9:4 They did work
wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors ...
/w/wilily.htm - 6k

Will (64996 Occurrences)

/w/will.htm - 13k

Worn (29 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-skins, old and rent and ...
/w/worn.htm - 14k

Wine-skins (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-skins, old and rent and ...
/w/wine-skins.htm - 10k

Wilfulness (2 Occurrences)

/w/wilfulness.htm - 7k

Patched (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 they also did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine-skins, old and rent and ...
/p/patched.htm - 7k

Bottles (12 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and ...
/b/bottles.htm - 9k

Asses (68 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and ...
/a/asses.htm - 29k

Rent (76 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors,
and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and ...
/r/rent.htm - 32k

Wilily: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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