A stratagem is a carefully devised plan or scheme, often used to achieve a particular end, especially in the context of warfare or conflict. In the Bible, stratagems are frequently depicted in narratives involving battles, leadership, and divine intervention. These plans can be either righteous or deceitful, depending on the motives and the context in which they are employed.

Biblical Examples of Stratagems:

1. Joshua and the Battle of Ai: One of the most notable examples of a stratagem in the Bible is found in the Book of Joshua. After the initial defeat at Ai, Joshua employs a clever military tactic to capture the city. He sets an ambush behind the city while leading a frontal assault. When the men of Ai pursue Joshua's forces, the ambush is sprung, and the city is taken. "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land'" (Joshua 8:1).

2. Gideon's Victory over the Midianites: In Judges 7, Gideon uses a stratagem to defeat the Midianites with only 300 men. By dividing his men into three companies and equipping them with trumpets and torches hidden in jars, Gideon creates the illusion of a large army. The Midianites are thrown into confusion and defeat themselves. This account highlights the divine guidance in the use of stratagems: "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of one man against another throughout the camp, and the army fled" (Judges 7:22).

3. David's Escape from Saul: David, pursued by King Saul, often used stratagems to evade capture. In 1 Samuel 21, David feigns madness before Achish, the king of Gath, to avoid being seen as a threat. This clever ruse allows him to escape unharmed. "So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting his saliva run down his beard" (1 Samuel 21:13).

4. The Deception of the Gibeonites: In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites use a stratagem to secure a peace treaty with Israel. By pretending to be from a distant land, they deceive Joshua and the Israelites into making a covenant with them. Although the Gibeonites' actions were deceitful, the Israelites honored the treaty due to their oath before God. "The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD" (Joshua 9:14).

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The use of stratagems in the Bible often raises questions about morality and ethics. While some stratagems are divinely sanctioned and lead to victory and deliverance, others are marked by deceit and manipulation. The key distinction lies in the intent and the alignment with God's will. Righteous stratagems are those that align with divine purposes and are executed with integrity and faithfulness to God's commands.

Divine Wisdom and Human Strategy:

The Bible underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom in the formulation and execution of plans. Proverbs 21:30 states, "No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel can prevail against the LORD" . This highlights the supremacy of God's wisdom over human strategy. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in all endeavors, trusting that His plans are ultimately for their good and His glory.

In summary, stratagems in the Bible serve as a testament to the complexity of human decision-making and the necessity of aligning one's plans with God's will. Whether in times of war or peace, the faithful are called to rely on divine wisdom and to act with integrity and righteousness.(n.) An artifice or trick in war for deceiving the enemy; a deceptive device; a secret plot.3803. pagis -- a trap, snare
... Phonetic Spelling: (pag-ece') Short Definition: a snare, trap Definition: a snare,
trap (especially for catching birds) hence, met: stratagem, device, wile. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3803.htm - 7k6193. orem -- craftiness
... Word Origin from arom Definition craftiness NASB Word Usage shrewdness (1). craftiness.
From aram; a stratagem -- craftiness. see HEBREW aram. 6192, 6193. ...
/hebrew/6193.htm - 6k

And by this Stratagem it was that I Gradually Got all the Senate ...
... Section 34. And by this stratagem it was that I gradually got all the senate
of? 34. And by this stratagem it was that I gradually ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 34 and by this.htm

Concerning a Stratagem that was Devised by the Jews, by which they ...
... CHAPTER 3. Concerning A Stratagem That Was Devised By The Jews, By Which They Burnt
Many Of The Romans; With Another Description Of The Terrible Famine That ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning a stratagem.htm

A Stratagem.
... Book X. Chapter LV."A Stratagem. "And when we saw no way of getting out of
the difficulty, there came Cornelius the centurion, being ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lv a stratagem.htm

But Then the Arians, Seeing that Stratagem did not Succeed...
... But then the Arians, seeing that stratagem did not succeed? But then the Arians,
seeing that stratagem did not succeed, determined to proceed by force. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxxviii but then the.htm

The Disturbance which the Greeks and Christians had About Attalus. ...
... The Courageous Saros; Alaric, by a Stratagem, obtains Possession of Rome,
and protected the Sacred Asylum of the Apostle Peter. ...
/.../chapter ix the disturbance which the.htm

Archelaus Procures a Reconciliation Between Alexander Pheroras ...
... Judea, as being affrighted for his son-in-law and his daughter; and he came as a
proper assistant, and in a very prudent manner, and by a stratagem he obliged ...
/.../chapter 25 archelaus procures a.htm

Croesus.
... Candaules is assassinated."Gyges succeeds."The Lydian power extended."The wars of
Alyattes."Destruction of Minerva's temple."Stratagem of Thrasybulus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iv croesus.htm

How the Sedition was Again Revived Within Jerusalem and yet the ...
... called the Serpent's Pool. 3. Now at this very time the Jews contrived the
following stratagem against the Romans. The bolder sort of ...
/.../chapter 3 how the sedition.htm

Counsels and Reminiscences of Soeur Therese, the Little Flower of ...
... The great Saints won it by their works; I wish to be like the thieves and to win
it by stratagem"a stratagem of love which will open its gates both to me and ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/counsels and reminiscences of soeur.htm

Letter xvi. --Fear of Singularity.
... not fail to make use of his ordinary tactics, and if he cannot prevent these gifts
of God, he sets to work to spoil and corrupt them by every kind of stratagem ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xvi fear of singularity.htm

Stratagem (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stratagem (2 Occurrences). Matthew 26:4 and consulted
how to get Jesus into their power by stratagem and put Him to death. (WEY). ...
/s/stratagem.htm - 7k

Plot (53 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Any scheme, stratagem, secret design, or plan, of a complicated nature,
adapted to the accomplishment of some purpose, usually a treacherous and ...
/p/plot.htm - 22k

Capture (53 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of seizing by force, or getting possession of by superior power
or by stratagem; as, the capture of an enemy, a vessel, or a criminal. ...
/c/capture.htm - 23k

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Fig.: A snare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which one may be caught
unawares. ... 13. (vt) Fig.: To ensnare; to take by stratagem; to entrap. 14. ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Policy (3 Occurrences)
... based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor;
hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem. ...
/p/policy.htm - 9k

Ambush (39 Occurrences)
... am'-boosh ('arabh, "to set an ambush"; ma'arabh, "an ambush"): A military stratagem
in which a body of men are placed in concealment to surprise an enemy ...
/a/ambush.htm - 19k

Straps (10 Occurrences)

/s/straps.htm - 9k

Net (91 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make into a net; to make n the style of network; as, to net silk.
2. (vt) To take in a net; to capture by stratagem or wile. ...
/n/net.htm - 36k

Jehu (63 Occurrences)
... By a cunning stratagem he cut off all the worshippers of Baal found in Samaria
(2 Kings 10:19-25), and destroyed the temple of the idol (2 Kings 10:27). ...
/j/jehu.htm - 47k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... lower classes. 19. (superl.) Mean; vulgar; base; dishonorable; as, a person
of low mind; a low trick or stratagem. 20. (superl.) Not ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

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