Brief overview of δόλος (G1388: dólos)

• δόλος (dólos) [DOH-los]
• Etymology: The word δόλος (dólos) comes from a primary root that means “to decoy,” “to bait,” or “to craft.” The root of this word is connected to the idea of being deceptive or cunning.
• Part of Speech: Noun (masculine).
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Primary Meanings

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• Deceit: The primary meaning of δόλος (dólos) is “deceit” or “deception.” It refers to the act of deceiving someone by lying or trickery.
• Cunning: The word also conveys the idea of cunning, implying the use of clever but dishonest strategies to achieve one’s goals.
• Guile: Another related meaning is “guile,” which is often used to describe a form of deceitfulness that is artfully subtle and insidious.

Further Insights:

• Morphological Composition: The noun δόλος (dólos) is derived from a root that implies an act of setting a bait or a trap, emphasizing the deceptive nature of the action. It is a masculine noun and is often used in contexts where the focus is on trickery or betrayal.
• Usage in Context: δόλος (dólos) is commonly used in both secular and biblical Greek to describe the concept of deceit, especially in contexts where the act is premeditated and involves cunning.
• Connotation: The word carries a negative connotation, often associated with moral wrongdoing and dishonesty.

Lexicon Insights:

• BDAG: The lexicon defines δόλος (dólos) as “deceit” or “treachery,” emphasizing the word’s use in contexts where dishonest actions are highlighted. It is often associated with insincerity and dishonesty.
• Thayer’s Lexicon: Thayer’s describes δόλος (dólos) as “craft, deceit, guile,” and notes its frequent use in the New Testament to denote the concept of deception, particularly in moral and ethical discussions.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s identifies δόλος (dólos) as “a trick” or “a lure,” focusing on the deceptive nature of the word. It underscores the element of deceit or trickery involved.
• Scripture References:
• John 1:47: “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile (δόλος)!'”
• 1 Peter 2:22: “Who did no sin, neither was guile (δόλος) found in His mouth.”
• Romans 1:29: “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit (δόλος), malignity; whisperers.”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature:

• Homer, Iliad: In the Iliad, δόλος (dólos) is used to describe the cunning and deceitful tactics employed by warriors and gods alike to achieve victory or to deceive opponents.
• Sophocles, Philoctetes: In this tragedy, δόλος (dólos) refers to the deceitful plan devised to trick Philoctetes into giving up his bow, which was essential for the Greeks to win the Trojan War.
• Herodotus, Histories: In Herodotus’ Histories, δόλος (dólos) is often used to describe the deceitful strategies of political leaders or generals who use cunning rather than brute force to achieve their goals.

Summary of δόλος (G1388: dólos)

The Greek noun δόλος (dólos), transliterated as dólos and pronounced [DOH-los], primarily means “deceit” or “guile.” Derived from a root that implies trickery or setting a bait, dólos captures the essence of cunning deception. It is used extensively in both the New Testament and classical Greek literature to describe acts of deceit, trickery, or guile, often with a strong negative connotation. Whether in the context of moral wrongdoing in the Bible or the clever strategies of warriors in ancient epics, dólos signifies the deliberate and often insidious nature of deception.