δόλιος G1386
Deceitful, crafty, treacherous; characterized by cunning and deceptive intent
An adjective meaning crafty, deceitful, or treacherous—describing someone who operates through cunning and deception rather than honesty. Paul uses it in 2 Corinthians 11:13 to describe false apostles as 'deceitful workers' who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. Classical Greek applied it to treacherous persons, cunning schemes, or even deities like Hermes and Aphrodite known for trickery. The term emphasizes deliberate, calculated deception designed to mislead others for selfish gain.
Senses
1. sense 1 — 2 Corinthians 11:13 identifies Paul's opponents as 'deceitful workers' masquerading as genuine apostles. The adjective describes those who work through cunning manipulation and deception. English 'deceitful,' Spanish 'engañosos,' French 'trompeur,' and German 'betrügerisch' all emphasize the fraudulent, treacherous character of these false teachers. Their craftiness involves deliberate misrepresentation—appearing righteous while serving selfish or demonic purposes rather than Christ. 1×
AR["ماكِرونَ"]·ben["প্রতারক"]·DE["betruegerisch"]·EN["deceitful"]·FR["trompeur"]·heb["רַמָּאִים"]·HI["छली"]·ID["penipu"]·IT["ingannevole"]·jav["apus"]·KO["속이는"]·PT["fraudulentos"]·RU["лукавые"]·ES["engañosos"]·SW["wadanganyifu,"]·TR["aldatcı"]·urd["فریبی"]
Related Senses
H2896a 1. good (quality or moral) (305×)H7563 1. wicked person (259×)H7451c 1. moral evil or wickedness (234×)H5771 1. iniquity, sin, wrongdoing (222×)H6662 1. righteous person (substantive) (195×)G0266 1. sin, failure, transgression (173×)H2403b 1. sin, transgression (170×)H2617a 1. Covenant faithfulness, steadfast love (167×)H2398 1. Qal: to sin, commit sin (165×)H6666 1. righteousness, moral uprightness (145×)G5485 1. grace, divine favor (141×)H7451a 1. morally evil, wicked (129×)H2403b 2. sin-offering, sacrifice for sin (120×)G2570 1. good, right, excellent (98×)H6588 1. transgression, offense against God (88×)G0018 1. good (moral quality) (85×)H2896b 1. good, what is good (85×)H7451b 1. evil, wickedness (moral) (83×)H7451a 2. evil, harm, calamity (80×)G1342 1. righteous, upright (of persons) (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
δόλιος, α, ον (ος, ον LXX+5th c.BC+: — crafty, deceitful, treacherous, in Refs 8th c.BC+; ὁππότε.. δόλιον περὶ κύκλον ἄγωσιν the treacherous circle, i. e. the net,Refs 4th c.BC+; of persons, Refs 5th c.BC+; epithet of Aphrodite, Refs 5th c.BC+; of Hermes, Refs 5th c.BC+; in later Prose, LXX+2nd c.BC+ W. adverb -ίωςLXX+3rd c.AD+