ἐπιβουλή
epiboulḗ
G1917 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A scheme or plan directed against someone; specifically, a plot, intrigue, or conspiracy with the intention to harm or oppose. In general use, denotes the act of planning evil or hostility toward another; in some contexts, may refer to secretive or deliberate intentions of malice.
Semantic Range
plot, intrigue, conspiracy, scheme against someone, laying in wait, secret plan with hostile intent
Root / Etymology
From the preposition ἐπί ('upon, against') and the verb βούλομαι ('to will, wish, plan'). The formation indicates 'a will or plan set against/in addition to (someone or something)'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Attested in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, ἐπιβουλή is most often used for hostile or adversarial plans, particularly within political, legal, or interpersonal conflict contexts. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the sense is regularly that of an intentional scheme or plot—sometimes translated as 'plot' or 'conspiracy.' Such plans are typically covert and oriented toward harm or opposition. The word does not imply mere intention but a concrete plan or scheme, sometimes involving multiple people (i.e., a conspiracy). The standard English translation 'plot' or 'lying in wait' captures the hostile nuance but may miss the breadth of deliberate scheming. Notably, ἐπιβουλή is less generic than βουλή ('counsel, plan') and focuses on action against someone. In classical Greek, a similar sense is present, though usage is rarer. The term reflects both the process and the outcome of plotting. Distinguished from words like μηχανή which focus more on the means or device used rather than the adversarial purpose.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a presumed compound of ἐπί and βούλομαι; a plan against someone, i.e. a plot:--laying (lying) in wait.
Root Family
ἐπιβουλ- (epiboulḗ) — to intend, to plan against, to plot
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1917-03 |
ἐπιβουλῆς | epiboules | N GEN F SG |
a plot | of a hostile plot | of a hostile plot | 2 |
G1917-01 |
ἐπιβουλαῖς | epiboulais | N DAT F PL |
plots | to hostile plots | plots | 1 |
G1917-02 |
ἐπιβουλὴ | epiboule | N NOM F SG |
plot | a hostile plot | plot | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1917-02 |
Acts 9:24 | ἐπιβουλὴ | epiboule | N NOM F SG |
plot | a hostile plot | plot |
G1917-03 |
Acts 20:3 | ἐπιβουλῆς | epiboules | N GEN F SG |
a plot | of a hostile plot | of a plot |
G1917-01 |
Acts 20:19 | ἐπιβουλαῖς | epiboulais | N DAT F PL |
plots | to hostile plots | plots |
G1917-03 |
Acts 23:30 | ἐπιβουλῆς | epiboules | N GEN F SG |
of a plot | of a hostile plot | of a hostile plot |