ἐπιβουλή
epiboulē
plot
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐπιβουλή (G1917), transliterated as epiboulē, is defined as a plot. It falls under the semantic domain of Cognition & Perception, which suggests that this word is related to mental processes involving plotting, scheming, or planning. In its four occurrences in the Bible, ἐπιβουλή is used to describe a deliberate and often secret plan to do harm to someone or something. This word carries a sense of malicious intent, implying a desire to bring about negative consequences through cunning or deceit. Its usage in the Bible indicates that plotting is a significant concern, suggesting that the author is highlighting the dangers of secret schemes and the importance of honesty and loyalty. The range of usage for ἐπιβουλή appears to be limited, but its significance lies in its connotation of deliberate and often hidden plotting. Its limited occurrences in the Bible do not diminish its importance, as it is used to emphasize the gravity of a particular action or attitude.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences across the text
but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
Acts 20:3When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
Acts 20:19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
Acts 23:30When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.”