Original Word: δόλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: dolos
Pronunciation: DO-los
Phonetic Spelling: (dol'-os)
Definition: deceit, guile, treachery.
Meaning: The term δόλος primarily denotes "deceit," "guile," or "treachery." It conveys the idea of cunning or craftiness, often with the intent to deceive or mislead.

Word Origin: Derived from the primary verb δέλλω (dellō), meaning "to decoy."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H4820 מִרְמָה (mirmah): Often translated as "deceit" or "treachery," this Hebrew term shares a similar semantic range with δόλος, emphasizing deception and falsehood.
• H7410 רְמִיָּה (remiyyah): This term can mean "deceit" or "slackness," and is used to describe deceitful actions or intentions.

These Hebrew terms, like their Greek counterpart, highlight the moral and ethical dimensions of deceit, as well as the biblical call to integrity and truthfulness.

Usage: The word δόλος is used in the New Testament to describe deceitful behavior or intentions. It is often associated with moral corruption and is used to highlight the contrast between truthfulness and deception.

Context: The Greek term δόλος appears several times in the New Testament, emphasizing the moral and ethical implications of deceit. In the Berean Standard Bible, δόλος is translated as "deceit" or "guile," reflecting its negative connotations.

• In Mark 7:22, δόλος is listed among the evils that come from within a person, defiling them: "greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness."

• In John 1:47, Jesus describes Nathanael as "an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit," highlighting Nathanael's sincerity and integrity.

• The Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:29, includes δόλος in a list of unrighteous behaviors: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice."

• In 1 Peter 2:1, believers are exhorted to "rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind," indicating that deceit is incompatible with the Christian life.

• Peter also refers to Christ in 1 Peter 2:22, quoting Isaiah 53:9, stating, "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth," underscoring the sinless nature of Jesus.

The use of δόλος in these contexts underscores the biblical teaching that deceit is contrary to the character of God and the life of a believer. It is often associated with other sins and is seen as a manifestation of the fallen human nature. The call to reject deceit and embrace truth is a recurring theme in the New Testament, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.

1388 dólos – properly, bait; (figuratively) deceit (trickery) using bait to alure ("hook") people, especially those already festering in excessive, emotional pain (brought on by themselves).

1388 /dólos ("deceit motivated by guile") uses decoys to snare (deceive) people which implies treachery to exploit the naive (undiscerning) – baiting them through (with) their own greed.

[1388 (dólos) is the root of: 1386 (dólios), 1387 (dolióō) and 1389 (dolóō).]

Word Origin
from the root del-
Definition
a bait, fig. craft, deceit
NASB Translation
deceit (9), stealth (2).

STRONGS NT 1388: δόλος

δόλος, δόλου, ὁ (from δέλω, to catch with a bait ((?); Latindolus, cf. Curtius, § 271); see δελεάζω above); properly, bait, Homer, Odyssey 12, 252; a lure, snare; hence, craft, deceit, guile: Matthew 26:4; Mark 14:1; Mark 7:22; John 1:47 (48); Acts 13:10; 2 Corinthians 12:16; Romans 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 2:3 (οὐκ ἐστι ἐν δόλῳ, there is no deceit under it); 1 Peter 2:(1), 22, and Revelation 14:5 Rec., after Isaiah 53:9; λαλεῖν δόλον to speak deceitfully (Psalm 33:14 ()), 1 Peter 3:10.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

craft, deceit, guile, subtilty.

From an obsolete primary verb, dello (probably meaning to decoy; compare deleazo); a trick (bait), i.e. (figuratively) wile -- craft, deceit, guile, subtilty.

see GREEK deleazo

Forms and Transliterations

δολον δόλον δολος δόλος δολου δόλου δόλους δολω δόλω δόλῳ dolo dolō dóloi dólōi dolon dólon dolos dólos dolou dólou

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts