Understanding δόλος (dolos) Strong’s G1388: The Deceptive Craft that Reveals the Heart’s True Nature

Pronunciation Guide: DOH-los (δό-λος)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1388: δόλος (dolos) refers to craftiness, deceit, guile, or treachery. It describes a deliberate attempt to mislead others through trickery, often with malicious intent. The term conveys the idea of baiting a trap or setting a snare with the purpose of catching or ensnaring an unsuspecting victim. In biblical contexts, δόλος represents the antithesis of sincerity and truthfulness that characterizes those who walk in the light of God’s truth.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Masculine noun
• Root Connection: Related to the verb δελεάζω (deleazō), meaning “to entice” or “to lure with bait”
• Language Origin: Ancient Greek
• Primary Usage: Appears in narrative, ethical teachings, and epistolary literature
• Semantic Field: Deception, falsehood, treachery, craftiness
• Frequency: Appears 11 times in the New Testament

δόλος Morphology:

• δόλος (nominative singular) – deceit, guile
• δόλου (genitive singular) – of deceit
• δόλῳ (dative singular) – with/by deceit
• δόλον (accusative singular) – deceit (as direct object)
• δόλοι (nominative plural) – deceits
• δόλων (genitive plural) – of deceits
• δόλοις (dative plural) – with/by deceits
• δόλους (accusative plural) – deceits (as direct object)

Origin & History

The term δόλος has a rich history in classical Greek literature, where it originally referred to a fishing bait or lure. Homer uses the word in the Odyssey to describe the cunning schemes of Odysseus, highlighting its association with clever but potentially deceptive strategies. In Sophocles’ works, δόλος appears as a calculated deception used to achieve one’s ends. The term evolved to encompass any form of craftiness or deceit intended to mislead others.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δόλος translates several Hebrew words related to deception, most notably מִרְמָה (mirmah) and רְמִיָּה (remiyyah). It appears prominently in passages like Psalm 32:2, where David speaks of the blessedness of the one “in whose spirit there is no deceit.” The concept is consistently portrayed negatively in the Hebrew Scriptures, characterizing those who oppose יהוה (Yahweh) and His righteous ways.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Bait or Trap – The original sense of something used to entice and capture
• Craftiness – Clever manipulation of circumstances to achieve one’s ends
• Deception – Deliberate misrepresentation of truth to mislead others
• Treachery – Betrayal of trust through hidden motives and actions
• Guile – Cunning intelligence used for deceptive purposes

δόλος Translation Options:

• Deceit – Best captures the deliberate nature of the deception involved
• Guile – Emphasizes the craftiness and cunning aspect of δόλος
• Treachery – Highlights the breach of trust inherent in δόλος
• Craftiness – Focuses on the calculated, planned nature of the deception
• Trickery – Conveys the manipulative element without necessarily implying malice

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δόλος consistently carries negative connotations, representing a character flaw opposed to godliness and integrity. The term first appears in Matthew 26:4, where the chief priests and elders conspired to arrest Yeshua (Jesus) “by deceit” (δόλῳ), revealing their malicious intent. The absence of δόλος is notably highlighted as a virtue in John 1:47, where Yeshua describes Nathanael as “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit” (δόλος).

The Apostle Peter draws on this concept extensively in his epistles, contrasting the deceptive nature of the world with the sincerity expected of believers. He quotes from Psalm 34:13 in 1 Peter 3:10, instructing believers to keep their lips from speaking deceit (δόλον). Perhaps most significantly, Peter emphasizes that in the Messiah, the perfect example was set, as “no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22), highlighting the absolute integrity of the Messiah in contrast to the deceptive nature of fallen humanity.

Key verses featuring δόλος include:

• “And they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth [δόλῳ] and kill Him.” Matthew 26:4
• “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit [δόλος]!'” John 1:47
• “For He who desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit [δόλον].” 1 Peter 3:10
• “Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit [δόλος] found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22
• “Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit [δόλου], malice; they are gossips.” Romans 1:29
• “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit [δόλῳ].” 1 Thessalonians 2:3
• “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit [δόλος].” Psalm 32:2 (LXX)

Cultural Insights

In ancient Mediterranean culture, δόλος had nuanced applications that illuminate its biblical usage. Fishing was a common occupation in first-century Galilee, and fishermen used various baits (δόλος) to catch fish. This imagery would have been immediately recognizable to Yeshua’s disciples, many of whom were fishermen. When Yeshua called them to become “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17), He was transforming their understanding of “catching” people—not through deception, but through the transparent truth of the Gospel.

The concept of δόλος also played a significant role in Jewish legal thought. The Hebrew equivalent מִרְמָה (mirmah) appears in discussions of fraud in business dealings and false testimony in court. The Torah specifically prohibited such deceptive practices in Leviticus 19:11: “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.” This background enhances our understanding of why truthfulness and absence of δόλος were considered essential characteristics of those who truly followed יהוה (Yahweh).

Theological Significance

The concept of δόλος reveals profound theological truths about human nature and God’s character. Throughout Scripture, deception is portrayed as originating from the adversary, whom Yeshua described as “the father of lies” (John 8:44). In contrast, God is repeatedly characterized as the God of truth who cannot lie (Titus 1:2, Numbers 23:19). This stark contrast highlights the fundamental choice facing humanity: to align with truth or embrace deception.

The absence of δόλος in the Messiah (1 Peter 2:22) points to His perfect embodiment of divine truth. While religious leaders sought to trap Him with their δόλος, Yeshua consistently responded with transparent truth. This reflects the character of יהוה (Yahweh), who is described in Psalm 32:2 as blessing those without δόλος in their spirit. The transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers includes the progressive removal of δόλος from their character, conforming them to the image of the Messiah who walked in perfect integrity.

Personal Application

Understanding δόλος challenges us to examine the authenticity of our own hearts and relationships. Do we present ourselves one way while harboring different thoughts and intentions? Are our words aligned with our true beliefs and actions? The Scriptures call us to “put away all malice and all deceit [δόλον] and hypocrisy” (1 Peter 2:1). This involves a daily commitment to walking in the light of God’s truth, allowing His Spirit to expose and transform areas where we might be tempted to operate with δόλος.

In our relationships with others, awareness of δόλος encourages transparent communication and genuine love. Rather than manipulating circumstances or people to achieve our ends, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). This doesn’t mean being harsh or insensitive, but rather speaking with both kindness and honesty, reflecting the character of the Messiah who perfectly balanced grace and truth (John 1:14).

Related Words

• ἀπάτη (apatē, ap-AH-tay) – deception, delusion; focuses more on the result of being deceived rather than the act of deceiving. While δόλος emphasizes the crafty method, ἀπάτη highlights the state of being deceived. See G539
• ψεῦδος (pseudos, PSOO-dos) – falsehood, lie; a more direct term for something that is objectively false. Unlike δόλος, which involves craftiness, ψεῦδος simply denotes what is contrary to truth. See G5579
• ὑπόκρισις (hupokrisis, hoo-POK-ri-sis) – hypocrisy, pretense; refers to acting a part or wearing a mask. While δόλος is about deceptive actions, ὑπόκρισις focuses on falsely representing one’s character. See G5272
• πανουργία (panourgia, pan-oor-GEE-ah) – craftiness, cunning; shares with δόλος the sense of cleverness but emphasizes versatility in evil. See G3834
• δελεάζω (deleazō, del-eh-AD-zo) – to entice, to lure with bait; the verbal form related to δόλος, focusing specifically on the act of baiting or alluring. See G1185

Did You Know?

• Did you know that the Greek word δόλος is etymologically related to the ancient practice of fishing? The original meaning referred to the bait used to catch fish, which provides a vivid picture of how deception works—presenting something attractive to hide the dangerous hook beneath. This imagery would have been particularly meaningful to Yeshua’s disciples, many of whom were fishermen before becoming “fishers of men” with the truthful message of the Gospel.
• Did you know that in modern Greek, the word δόλος still carries legal significance? It appears in Greek law to describe premeditated intent or malice aforethought in criminal cases. This modern usage preserves the ancient concept of calculated deception and highlights why the biblical writers saw δόλος as particularly problematic—it represents not just a momentary lapse but a deliberate choice to deceive.
• Did you know that the proclamation of Nathanael as a man “in whom there is no δόλος” (John 1:47) likely alludes to the story of Jacob in Genesis? Jacob (whose name means “supplanter” or “deceiver”) was renamed Israel after wrestling with God. By describing Nathanael as “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no δόλος,” Yeshua was essentially saying, “Here is a son of Jacob who doesn’t share his ancestor’s tendency toward deception.” This wordplay would have been deeply meaningful to Jewish hearers familiar with their patriarchal history.

Remember This

δόλος unmasks the heart’s true condition—where deceit flourishes, darkness reigns; but where truth prevails, the light of the Messiah transforms character into a reflection of His perfect integrity.