deceive, lie, deception, illusion

Definition

The term “deceive” means to cause someone to believe something that is not true, often by telling a “lie.” The act of deceiving someone is called “lying,” “deceit,” or “deception.”

• Someone who causes others to believe something false is a “deceiver.” For example, Satan is called a “deceiver.” The evil spirits that he controls are also deceivers.
• To “lie” is to say something that is not true.
• A person, action, or message that is not truthful can be described as “deceptive.”
• The terms “deceit” and “deception” have the same meaning, but there are some small differences in how they are used.
• The descriptive terms “deceitful” and “deceptive” have the same meaning and are used in the same contexts.

Translation Suggestions

• Other ways to translate “deceive” could include “lie to” or “cause to have a false belief” or “cause someone to think something that is not true.”
• The term “deceived” could also be translated as “caused to think something false” or “lied to” or “tricked” or “fooled” or “misled.”
• “Deceiver” could be translated as “liar” or “one who misleads” or “someone who deceives.”
• Depending on the context, the terms “deception” or “deceit” could be translated with a word or phrase that means “falsehood” or “lying” or “trickery” or “dishonesty.”
• The terms “deceptive” or “deceitful” could be translated as “untruthful” or “misleading” or “lying” to describe a person who speaks or acts in a way that causes other people to believe things that are not true.

(See also: true)

Bible References

• 1 John 1:8
• 1 Timothy 2:14
• 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
• Genesis 3:12-13
• Genesis 31:26-28
• Leviticus 19:11-12
• Matthew 27:64
• Micah 6:11

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0898, H2048, H3577, H3584, H3868, H4123, H4820, H4860, H5230, H5377, H5558, H6121, H6231, H6601, H7411, H7423, H7683, H7686, H7952, H8267, H8496, H8582, H8591, H8649, G05380, G05390, G13860, G13870, G13880, G18180, G38840, G41050, G41060, G41080, G54220, G54230