Understanding δολιόω (dolioō) Strong’s G1387: The Deceptive Speech that Reveals the Human Heart’s Corruption

Pronunciation Guide: dol-ee-OH-oh (emphasize the third syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1387: δολιόω (dolioō) refers to the act of deceiving through cunning speech or actions. It describes the deliberate use of trickery, craftiness, or guile to mislead others. In biblical contexts, it often characterizes speech that is intentionally deceptive, highlighting the corrupt nature of fallen humanity. This word reveals the subtle yet destructive power of deceitful communication.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Word: δόλος (dolos) – deceit, craft, guile
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Moral and ethical teachings, particularly in contexts describing human sinfulness
• Semantic Domain: Moral and ethical behavior, specifically negative qualities

δολιόω Morphology:

• δολιόω (1st person singular present) – I deceive
• δολιοῖς (2nd person singular present) – you deceive
• δολιοῖ (3rd person singular present) – he/she/it deceives
• ἐδολιοῦσαν (3rd person plural imperfect) – they were deceiving
• δεδολιωμένος (perfect passive participle) – having been deceived

Origin & History

The verb δολιόω derives from the noun δόλος (dolos), which has a long history in Greek literature dating back to Homer. In the Iliad and Odyssey, δόλος described crafty schemes and clever deceptions, often with a sense of admiration for the cunning involved. The famous Trojan Horse was described as a δόλος – a clever trick that achieved victory through deception rather than direct confrontation.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, δολιόω and related terms appear frequently in the Psalms and wisdom literature, where they take on a more negative moral connotation. The term transitions from potentially admirable craftiness to morally reprehensible deception. This shift reflects the Hebrew Bible’s emphasis on truth and integrity as divine attributes, with deception viewed as contrary to God’s character. The transformation of meaning continues in New Testament usage, where the word family consistently carries negative ethical implications.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Deliberate Deception – To intentionally mislead or deceive through calculated speech or behavior
• Verbal Trickery – To use language as a tool for manipulation and deception
• Moral Corruption – To manifest the inner corruption of the heart through dishonest speech
• Strategic Falsification – To craft lies with premeditation and purpose

δολιόω Translation Options:

• “To use deceit” – Emphasizes the active employment of deception as a tool
• “To speak with guile” – Highlights the verbal aspect of the deception, focusing on speech
• “To practice craftiness” – Captures the calculated, premeditated nature of the deception
• “To act deceitfully” – Broadens the concept beyond speech to include deceptive actions
• “To corrupt with falsehood” – Emphasizes the morally corrupting nature of deceptive behavior

Biblical Usage

The verb δολιόω appears explicitly only once in the New Testament, in Romans 3:13, where Paul quotes from Psalm 5:9 (LXX) as part of his indictment of universal human sinfulness. This powerful passage combines several Old Testament quotations to portray the depth of human corruption, particularly focusing on speech as a revealer of the heart’s condition. The context is significant as it occurs within Paul’s extended argument that both Jews and Gentiles stand condemned before God’s righteousness.

While the specific verbal form δολιόω is rare, the root word δόλος and its derivatives appear throughout the New Testament, particularly in contexts discussing moral character and ethical behavior. Jesus commends Nathanael as an Israelite “in whom there is no δόλος” (John 1:47), and Peter admonishes believers to put away “all δόλος” (1 Peter 2:1), showing that freedom from deceptive speech characterizes those who follow the Messiah.

• “Their throat is an open grave; they use deceit [ἐδολιοῦσαν].” Romans 3:13
• “His mouth is full of cursing and deceit [δόλου] and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.” Psalm 10:7 (LXX)
• “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter [ἐδολιοῦσαν] with their tongue.” Psalm 5:9 (LXX)
• “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit [δόλος] found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22
• “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin, and in whose mouth there is no deceit [δόλος].” Psalm 32:2 (LXX)

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the concept of deception (δόλος) had complex cultural connotations. Unlike modern Western societies that generally value straightforward communication, ancient Greek culture sometimes admired clever deception when used against enemies. The mythological figure Odysseus was praised for his πολύτροπος (polytropos – “man of many turns/devices”) nature, which included his masterful use of δόλος. This cultural background helps explain why biblical writers needed to explicitly condemn deceptive speech as contrary to godly character.

In Jewish thought, speech was understood to reveal one’s true nature. The rabbinic tradition emphasized that the tongue could be an instrument of either life or death. One ancient Jewish teaching states, “The world stands on three things: justice, truth, and peace” (Pirkei Avot 1:18). The use of δολιόω violated two of these pillars—truth and peace—and was therefore seen as undermining the very foundations of society. This perspective aligns with biblical wisdom literature, which consistently condemns deceptive speech as both harmful to community and offensive to יהוה (Yahweh), who is the source of truth.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of δολιόω are profound, particularly in understanding human sinfulness and divine character. In Romans 3:13, Paul’s use of this term contributes to his comprehensive portrait of human depravity. The fact that our speech is characterized by deception reveals that sin has corrupted us at the deepest level. As Yeshua (Jesus) taught, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Our deceptive speech testifies to the corruption of our hearts.

This understanding of human corruption through deceptive speech stands in stark contrast to the character of God, who is described as unable to lie (Titus 1:2). The Messiah embodies this divine truthfulness perfectly, as “no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). The redemptive work of Yeshua not only provides forgiveness for our sins of deception but also begins the process of transforming us into people whose speech, like His, is characterized by truth rather than guile. Thus, the concept of δολιόω highlights both the depth of our need for salvation and the nature of the transformation that salvation brings.

Personal Application

Understanding the significance of δολιόω invites us to examine our own speech patterns. How often do we engage in subtle forms of deception—half-truths, strategic omissions, or manipulative language? The biblical witness challenges us to recognize that such speech patterns reveal the continuing presence of sin in our lives and our ongoing need for sanctification.

The good news is that through the redemptive work of Messiah Yeshua, we can be transformed into people who speak with integrity. As we grow in our relationship with Him who is the Truth, our speech can increasingly reflect His character rather than the deception that characterizes fallen humanity. This transformation begins with honesty before God about our own tendencies toward deception, followed by a daily choice to speak truth in love, even when truth-telling comes at personal cost.

Related Words

• δόλος (dolos) (DOH-los) – the noun form meaning “deceit, guile, treachery”; this is the root word from which δολιόω derives and appears more frequently in the New Testament. See G1388
• δόλιος (dolios) (DOH-lee-os) – the adjective meaning “deceitful, crafty”; describes a person or action characterized by deception. See G1386
• ἀπάτη (apatē) (ah-PAH-tay) – a related term for “deception” but often with connotations of seduction or allurement rather than just craftiness. See G539
• πλάνη (planē) (PLAH-nay) – “error, wandering, deception”; suggests being led astray rather than the calculated deception of δολιόω. See G4106
• ψεῦδος (pseudos) (PSOO-dos) – “falsehood, lie”; directly refers to that which is false, while δολιόω emphasizes the act of deceiving. See G5579

Did You Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Greek dramatic performances, characters who used δόλος (the root of δολιόω) often wore specific masks that signaled to the audience their deceptive nature? This theatrical tradition reflected the Greek understanding that deception was not merely an act but revealed something essential about a person’s character.
• Did you know that in the famous Jewish rabbinic commentary Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel taught that the world exists through three things: justice (din), truth (emet), and peace (shalom)? The use of δολιόω violates two of these pillars—truth and peace—showing why truthful speech was considered so foundational to Jewish ethics and why Paul, as a trained rabbi, emphasized deceptive speech in his catalog of sins.
• Did you know that modern psychology has identified deceptive speech patterns (what the Bible calls δολιόω) as one of the primary indicators of certain personality disorders? What Scripture identified thousands of years ago as a moral failing has been recognized by contemporary science as destructive to healthy relationships and community functioning.

Remember This

δολιόω reveals that our words are not merely sounds but windows into our souls, exposing either the corruption of sin or the transforming presence of the One who is Truth incarnate.