Original Word: ἐπιβουλή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: epiboulé
Pronunciation: eh-pee-boo-LAY
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-boo-lay')
Definition: Plot, scheme, conspiracy
Meaning: a plot, design against.

Word Origin: From the Greek verb ἐπιβουλεύω (epibouleuō), meaning "to plot against" or "to plan deceitfully."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "epiboulé," similar concepts of plotting or scheming can be found in words like מְזִמָּה (mezimmah, Strong's H4209) meaning "plan" or "scheme," and סוֹד (sod, Strong's H5475) meaning "council" or "secret."

Usage: The term "epiboulé" refers to a deliberate plan or scheme, often with malicious intent. It is used in the New Testament to describe plots or conspiracies, particularly those against individuals or groups. The word conveys a sense of secretive and harmful intentions, typically orchestrated by a group or an individual with the aim of causing harm or achieving a deceitful goal.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, political and social plots were not uncommon. The term "epiboulé" would have resonated with early Christians who were familiar with the political machinations of their time, including the plots against leaders and the early church. The concept of plotting was also prevalent in Jewish history, as seen in various Old Testament narratives where individuals or groups conspired against God's people.

Word Origin
from epi and boulé
Definition
a plan against
NASB Translation
plot (2), plot...against (1), plots (1).

STRONGS NT 1917: ἐπιβουλή

ἐπιβουλή, ἦς, ἡ, a plan formed against one (cf. ἐπί, D. 7), a plot: Acts 9:24; γίνεται τινα ἐπιβουλή ὑπό τίνος, Acts 20:3; εἰς τινα, Acts 23:30; plural Acts 20:19. (From (Herodotus), Thucydides down.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

lying in wait.

From a presumed compound of epi and boulomai; a plan against someone, i.e. A plot -- laying (lying) in wait.

see GREEK epi

see GREEK boulomai

Forms and Transliterations

επιβουλαις επιβουλαίς ἐπιβουλαῖς επιβουλη επιβουλή ἐπιβουλὴ επιβουλήν επιβουλης επιβουλής ἐπιβουλῆς επίβουλοί επίβουλον επίβουλος επιβούλων επιβρέξει epiboulais epiboulaîs epiboule epiboulē epiboulḕ epiboules epiboulês epiboulēs epiboulē̂s

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts