Greek word · G1747

ἐνέδρα

enedra

plot/ambush

Literally a 'sitting in' a hidden position: an ambush, a lying in wait, and by extension a treacherous plot. It is a military and criminal term.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἐν-έδρα, -ας, ἡ

(ἕδρα, a seat), [in LXX: Joshua 8:7-9, Psalms 10:8 (אָרַב)* ;]

a lying in wait, an ambush: Acts 23:16 (Rec. ἔνεδρον, a form frequently in LXX), Acts 25:8.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Acts 25:3

Range of meaning

Literally a 'sitting in' a hidden position: an ambush, a lying in wait, and by extension a treacherous plot. It is a military and criminal term.

Against the English

KJV 'laying wait' and YLT 'making an ambush' keep the concrete picture. WEB 'plotting' makes it more abstract and loses the image of armed men hidden by the roadside. BSB 'preparing an ambush' is precise.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) uses it for Joshua's ambush at Ai (Josh 8) and for the wicked man who 'sits in ambush' to kill the innocent (Ps 10:8, LXX 9:29). Josephus uses the word family for military ambushes and banditry. In the New Testament it appears only here and at Acts 23:16, the first plot against Paul.

From the study of Acts 23:16

Range of meaning

A lying in wait, an ambush. From en (in) + hedra (seat): literally a 'sitting in' a hidden place to attack someone. It can mean the act of ambushing, the plan to do it, or the hidden group itself.

Against the English

BSB and NIV say 'plot', which is accurate but more general. KJV, YLT and WEB say 'lying in wait', which keeps the picture of hiding. NASB says 'ambush'. 'Plot' loses the detail that this was a planned attack from hiding on the road, not just a scheme.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) the word and its relatives translate Hebrew ʾōreb / ʾārab, 'to lie in ambush', as in the ambush of Ai (Joshua 8). Josephus uses the group of words for military and political ambushes. In the New Testament it appears only here and in Acts 25:3, where the Jerusalem leaders again plan an ambush for Paul.

Where it appears

Acts · 2

  1. Acts 23:16 ἐνέδραν, ambush,

    But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

    Here: An ambush: men hiding to attack someone who is passing by. This is exactly the plan of v.15, to kill Paul 'before he comes near' the council.

  2. Acts 25:3 ἐνέδραν an ambush

    to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

    Here: A planned ambush: men hidden and waiting to strike. It is the same word Luke used for the first plot against Paul (Acts 23:16), so the reader is meant to see the old scheme coming back.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.